Spoken Chinese · 实战口语第 3 册
Describing People
Roommates look at photos on a phone and chat about a new friend's looks and personality before she comes over for dinner.
小雨和大伟是室友。小雨的妹妹和哥哥今天来家里吃饭，两个人一边看手机里的照片，一边聊他们的长相和性格。
Sentence 1 says the main point; 只是 adds a small “but / only” after it. Softer than 可是.
Watch out · 注意：只是 goes after the main sentence, not at the start. Say: tā hěn kāilǎng, zhǐshì yǒu diǎnr máng. 他很开朗, 只是有点儿忙. Not: *Zhǐ shì tā hěn kāilǎng.*
Use 既……又…… to put two qualities together: “both … and …”.
Watch out · 注意：keep the same kind of word after 既 and 又. Say: jì gāo yòu shòu 既高又瘦. Not: *jì gāo yòu hěn shòu.*
Say the adjective twice and add 的 to paint a picture of someone or something.
Watch out · 注意：this pattern works for adjectives you can “see”. Say: hónghóng de liǎn 红红的脸. Not: *mángmáng de rén* — busy is not a look.
Chinese speakers often describe looks with doubled adjectives like 高高的 or 长长的 — it sounds softer and friendlier. Personality words like 文静 (quiet) and 开朗 (outgoing) are common, polite compliments.
中国人形容外貌时常用“高高的、长长的”这样的叠词，听起来更亲切柔和。“文静”“开朗”都是常见又礼貌的夸奖。