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HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min read

拼命, 尽情, 一举 and 百般: Adverbs of Effort and Force

Learn manner adverbs that show how much effort or force goes into an action: 拼命, 竭力, 尽情, 百般, 大肆, 火速, 一举, 一手 and 瞎.

Pattern

effort adverb + verb phrase

拼命 = with all one’s might; 竭力 = do one’s utmost; 尽情 = to one’s heart’s content; 百般 = in every possible way; 一举 = in one go; 一手 = single-handedly.

为了赶上最后一班车，他拼命往车站跑。

When to use 拼命, 尽情, 一举 and 百般: Adverbs of Effort and Force

These adverbs go before the verb and show how much effort, force or freedom goes into an action. Full effort: 拼命 “with all one’s might” (spoken, very strong: 拼命跑); 竭力 “do one’s utmost” (written: 竭力帮助). Full freedom: 尽情 “to one’s heart’s content” (尽情地玩, 尽情唱歌). Many ways: 百般 “in every possible way” (百般劝说, 百般照顾). No restraint: 大肆 “wantonly, on a big scale”, always disapproving (大肆宣传, 大肆浪费). Speed: 火速 “at top speed” (火速赶到). Result: 一举 “at one stroke, in one go” (一举夺冠); 一手 “single-handedly, all by oneself” (一手创办). Carelessness: 瞎 “blindly, without reason” (spoken and critical: 瞎说, 瞎猜, 别瞎想).

放暑假了，孩子们在海边尽情地玩。

The summer holiday has started, and the children are playing at the seaside to their hearts’ content.

我们队在决赛中一举夺得了冠军。

Our team won the championship in one go in the final.

妈妈百般劝说，弟弟还是不肯去理发。

Mum tried every way to persuade him, but my little brother still refused to get a haircut.

我们会竭力帮助每一位新同学适应学校生活。

We will do our utmost to help every new student settle into school life.

Common traps

  • 大肆 is always negative: 大肆浪费 is fine, but not 大肆帮助.
  • 瞎 is spoken and critical; in polite or written language use 随意 or 没有根据地.
  • 拼命 is very strong and informal; in a formal letter or speech, 竭力 or 全力 sounds better.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

你又没看见，别 猜

You didn’t even see it, so don’t just guess
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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