Expressing "can't do without" with "shaobuliao"

Sometimes in English, we have "you won't see one without the other." In Chinese, the same sort of idea can be achieved using "少不了" (shǎobuliǎo). It means that if there is one thing, then there is going to be another something along with it.

Structure

The structure of this grammar point is pretty simple. The noun before "少不了" is sort of the "main" noun and the second noun is the one that tags along as a result.

Phrase 1 ， 少不了 + Phrase 2

Examples

• 过年 总 少不了 大鱼大肉。There's always a big meal when we celebrate the New Year.
• 他 喜欢 吃醋，每 顿饭 总 少不了 一碗醋。He likes to eat vinegar, there's a bowl of vinegar at every meal.
• 学中文 少不了 要 学 拼音 和 声调。Studying Chinese always involves studying pinyin and tones.
• 从 中国 回去，一定 少不了 要 带 点 中国 特产 送给 朋友。When you return from China, you will definitely have to bring back some distinctly Chinese products to give to your friends.
• 过生日 总 少不了 有生日礼物。There are always birthday gifts when we spend birthdays.

Relating events

Sometimes, the two things that "少不了" connects aren't objects. Instead they can be events, and the "少不了" is connecting them saying "It's like A because B happened." This construction is often based off of observations or experiences that the speaker has had, so that they can know (or assume) what situations relate to each other. It is often used together with "又".

Structure

Situation 1 + 少不了 + (又) + Situation 2

Note, however, that in this construction, the reason follows "少不了"

Examples

• 这里 这么 多 垃圾！少不了 又 是 那 个 讨厌 的 女人 干 的。There's so much garbage here! It must have something to do with those disgusting women.
• 八点 多 了 还 没 回 来，少不了 又 在 加班。It's past 8 o'clock he still hasn't come back. He must be working overtime.
• 看 他 的 样子，少不了 又 跟 女 朋友 吵架 了。Look at how he looks. He must have argued with his girlfriend.
• 这么 闷热，少不了 要 下 暴雨。It's so stuffy. It must be about to storm.
• 今年 少不了 是 个 丰收 年。There's going to be a bumper crop this year.

Sources and Further Reading

Books

• 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (p. 83) →buy

Websites

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