Using 成语 (four-character idioms)
语体 / register & style
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
成语 are set expressions, usually four characters, drawn from classical texts or historical anecdotes. At level 5 you must slot them correctly into a sentence:
• Predicate: 这个地方山清水秀 (green hills, clear waters).
• Noun modifier with 的: 一个举世闻名的建筑.
• Adverbial with 地: 他全心全意地工作.
• Complement after 得: 说得津津有味.
Golden rule: many 成语 already contain degree (extremely, totally), so ✗ 很 + 成语 is often wrong: ✗ 很举世闻名.
Examples
这位作家的小说举世闻名。
Zhè wèi zuòjiā de xiǎoshuō jǔshì wénmíng.This writer's novels are world-famous.
奶奶讲故事讲得津津有味，孩子们听得入了迷。
Nǎinai jiǎng gùshi jiǎng de jīnjīn yǒu wèi, háizimen tīng de rù le mí.Grandma tells stories with relish, and the kids are spellbound.
他全心全意地照顾生病的母亲。
Tā quánxīn quányì de zhàogù shēngbìng de mǔqīn.He looks after his sick mother wholeheartedly.
这个故事告诉我们，做事不能半途而废。
Zhège gùshi gàosu wǒmen, zuò shì bù néng bàntú ér fèi.This story teaches us not to give up halfway.
Common mistakes
✗ 很举世闻名 / 非常津津有味 → the 成语 already carries intensity.
✗ 成语 + object: ✗ 他半途而废了学习 → ✓ 他学习半途而废了 (many 成语 are intransitive).
✗ Register: a 成语 in a casual text can sound ironic.