随着 (suízhe) is a preposition used to show that one thing is happening alongside or as a result of something else. This passage contains an example of its use as part of the following two-part structure:

In the above example, 随着 (suízhe) follows this structure:

随着 + general trend + subject + predicate

(A ‘predicate’ is the part of a sentence that contains a verb and tells us something about the subject.)

In our example, we have:

随着 (suízhe) + 中国现代进程的加快 (general trend) + 一些少数民族语言 (subject) + 正在慢慢消亡 (predicate)

When used as part of this structure, 随着 (suízhe) helps to indicate that the change mentioned in the introductory clause causes the change mentioned in the main clause.

随着中国现代化进程的加快 (introductory clause)， 一些少数民族语言正在慢慢消亡 (main clause)。

In this two-part structure, the “general trend” that comes immediately after 随着 often has to do with social or economic trends, like economic development or a social phenomenon. Let’s look at our example again:

In our example, 随着 (suízhe) opens the sentence, which is usually—but not always—the case. Then, the general trend of China’s rapid modernization is introduced (现代化进程的加快). Next we have a main clause with the subject, “some minority languages” (一些少数民族语言) and predicate, “gradually disappearing” (正在慢慢消亡) that describe the result of this trend.

By using 随着 (suízhe) in this sentence, the author is indicating that the general trend of China’s modernization and the disappearance of minority languages are connected, and that modernization is causing languages to gradually disappear.

Here’s another example:

Here, 随着 (suízhe) comes first again, followed by a general trend, which in this case is aging. After the introductory clause comes the subject, “people” (人们 rénmen), followed by the predicate, “pay more and more attention to their health” (会越来越重视健康 huì yuèláiyuè zhòngshì jiànkāng).

The use of 随着 (suízhe) in this sentence indicates that the author believes that the general trend of aging causes people to pay more attention to their health.

Can you come up with two example sentences using 随着？

Like 随着, 尽管…但是 (jǐnguǎn…dànshì) tends to occur in sentences containing both an introductory and a main clause.

尽管 (jǐnguǎn) is usually (but not always) placed at the beginning of the introductory clause. It introduces some sort of background information that sets the scene for whatever assertion the author makes in the main clause.

Then, 但是 (dànshì) begins the main clause by introducing a fact or assertion that usually contrasts with the background information in the introductory clause.

尽管…但是 (jǐnguǎn…dànshì) appears in the following sentence:

Here, 尽管 (jǐnguǎn) introduces some background information (the fact that there is some regional variation among Bai clothing styles). Then, the main clause starting with 但 (dàn) sets up a contrast, explaining that despite the fact that regional variations exist, all Bai groups favor the color white.

Note that although the English word “but” is not included at the beginning of the main clause when the introductory clause contains “even though,” 但 (dàn) or 但是 (dànshì) is often included as part of this construction in Chinese. Adding 但是 (dànshì) may seem odd if you’re a native English speaker, but you’ll soon get used to it.

Let’s look at another example:

In this sentence, 尽管 (jǐnɡuǎn) appears in the introductory clause to introduce some background information (the fact that the speaker’s sister hurt her leg).

Then comes the main clause, starting with 但 (dàn), the shortened form of 但是 (dànshì). In the main clause, the author introduces a fact that contrasts with the background already introduced regarding the sister’s injury. Even though the sister is hurt, she continues to work.

以…为… (yǐ…wéi…) is a relatively formal grammatical construction that has its roots in classical Chinese. It follows the pattern 以 + A + 为 + B and is used to express “to take A as B,” “to regard A as B” or “to consider A as B.”

Although sometimes heard in spoken Chinese, it is more common to see this structure being used in things like official government reports.

Unsurprisingly, since this structure comes from classical Chinese, it can also be found in many four character Chinese idioms such as 以人为本 (yǐrénwéiběn, to put people first; people-oriented).

The construction appears in the following sentence:

If we consider the phrase 以白色衣服为贵 (yǐ báisè yīfú wéi guì) from the vantage point of the 以 + A + 为 + B structure discussed above, then 白色的衣服 (báisè yīfú, white clothing) is A, while 贵 (guì, valuable; prized) is B. Thus, we could translate this phrase literally as “to regard white clothing as valuable.”

Let’s look at another example:

If we analyze the phrase 以米饭为主食 (yǐ mǐfàn wéi zhǔshí) according to the 以 + A + 为 + B structure, 米饭 (mǐfàn, rice) is A and 主食 (zhǔshí, staple food) is B. Therefore, this phrase can be literally translated as “to regard rice as a staple food.”