HSK 2
6 min
When to Use 的, 得, and 地
Learn the difference between 的, 得, and 地 with quick examples and a cloze drill.
HSK 2.0
HSK 3 grammar
All 80 grammar points introduced at HSK 3 (HSK 2.0), each with example sentences and a short practice drill.
Learn HSK 3 words for good
HSK 3
6 min
被 vs 把
Learn when to use 被 and 把 with clear examples and a cloze drill.
HSK 2
6 min
因为...所以...
Build clear cause-and-effect sentences for explanations and excuses.
HSK 3
6 min
如果...就...
Make if-then sentences for plans, rules, and likely outcomes.
HSK 2
6 min
一...就...
Connect two events where the second happens immediately after the first.
HSK 3
6 min
越...越...
Describe “the more..., the more...” relationships.
HSK 3
6 min
Result Complements in Context
Extend result complements beyond the starter pairs.
HSK 3
6 min
Potential Complements
Say can understand, cannot finish, can see clearly, and cannot get in.
HSK 3
6 min
起来
Recognize the flexible complement 起来 in practical sentences.
HSK 2
6 min
了 vs 过
Contrast two aspect markers that both look backward but mean different things.
HSK 3
6 min
先, 然后, 最后
Explain routines, instructions, and plans with clear sequencing.
HSK 3
6 min
除了 for “Except”
Handle basic exception sentences before the HSK 4 expanded pattern.
HSK 3
6 min
一边...一边...
Say someone listens while writing, eats while chatting, or walks while talking.
HSK 2
6 min
让 and 叫
Talk about permission, requests, and caused actions.
HSK 3
6 min
Negative Comparisons
Avoid the common trap of making every negative comparison with 不.
HSK 3
6 min
Discourse Connectors
Move beyond single sentences with actually, in addition, and for example.
HSK 3
6 min
The Prefix 老 in 老王, 老师 and 老二
Use 老 + surname to address an older person you know well, and recognize 老 as a prefix in words like 老师 and 老二.
HSK 3
6 min
Noun Suffixes 家, 子 and 员
Recognize and use the suffixes 家 (画家), 员 (服务员) and 子 (桌子), and know which one a word takes.
HSK 3
7 min
东, 南, 西, 北 and 中间 for Directions
Say where places are with 东, 南, 西, 北 and 中间, and talk about regions with 北方, 南方, 东方 and 西方.
HSK 3
7 min
Modal Verbs 需要, 应该, 该, 愿意 and 得
Say what someone needs to do, should do, is willing to do or has to do with 需要, 应该, 该, 愿意 and 得.
HSK 3
7 min
Separable Verbs 放假, 见面, 结婚, 洗澡
Split verbs like 见面 and 放假 correctly: put 了, 过 or a number in the middle, and add the person with 跟.
HSK 3
8 min
谁, 什么, 哪儿 Meaning “Anyone”, “Anything”, “Something”
Use question words in statements: 谁都知道 for “everyone knows”, 想吃什么就吃什么 for “whatever you like”, and 吃点儿什么 for “something”.
HSK 3
7 min
Question Words Without Questions: 谁都, 什么都
Use 谁, 什么, 哪儿 and 怎么 to mean “anyone”, “anything”, “whatever” or “something” in statements, not questions.
HSK 3
6 min
Pronouns 别人 and 咱们
Use 别人 to talk about “other people” and 咱们 to say “we” in a way that always includes the person you’re talking to.
HSK 3
8 min
Measure Words 张, 把, 双, 辆, 种 and More
Pick the right measure word for flat things, pairs, vehicles, lessons, sentences, prices, weights and quarter hours.
HSK 3
5 min
Doubled Measure Words 个个, 张张
Double a measure word, as in 个个 or 张张, to say “every single one” with no exceptions.
HSK 3
7 min
Degree Adverbs 比较, 挺, 特别, 更, 越, 极
Say how strong a quality is, from 有些 and 比较 to 挺, 特别 and 极, and compare with 更, 还 and 越来越.
HSK 3
6 min
Scope Adverbs 只, 就, 一共, 到处, 一块儿
Say “only”, “in total”, “everywhere” and “together” with 只, 就, 只是, 一共, 到处 and 一块儿.
HSK 3
7 min
Time Adverbs 刚, 才, 一直, 马上, 先
Say that something just happened, happened late, kept going, or will happen right away with 刚, 才, 一直, 马上, 先 and 一会儿.
HSK 3
7 min
Adverbs 大概, 好像, 一定, 必须, 差不多, 几乎
Show how sure you are with 好像, 大概 and 一定, say what must happen with 必须, and say “almost” with 差不多 and 几乎.
HSK 3
6 min
Prepositions 为, 向 and 关于
Say who you do something for with 为, who or where an action is aimed at with 向, and what something is about with 关于.
HSK 3
6 min
Purpose with 为了, 为 and 为了…而…
Say why you do something, “in order to” or “for the sake of”, with 为了, 为 and 为了…而…, and tell it apart from 因为.
HSK 3
8 min
把 Sentences: 把 + Object + Verb + 在/到 or Result
Use 把 to say what you do to something: where you put it (放在, 送到) or how it ends up (写完, 关上, 打扫得很干净).
HSK 3
7 min
被 Passive Sentences, with and without the Doer
Use 被 to say what happened to something, with or without saying who did it, and use 叫 and 让 for the same idea in casual speech.
HSK 3
6 min
Rhetorical Questions with 不是……吗
Use 不是……吗 to remind someone of a fact, insist on it, or show surprise when things don’t match what you expected.
HSK 3
6 min
Appositive Phrases like 我们两个 and 他这个人
Put two words for the same person or thing side by side, as in 我们两个, 我自己 and 北京这个城市, to make one phrase.
HSK 3
6 min
The Four-Character Pattern 不A不B
Use 不A不B to say “neither too A nor too B” (不大不小) and recognise set phrases like 不慌不忙, 不知不觉 and 不见不散.
HSK 3
5 min
Giving an Opinion with 在……看来
Use 在……看来 to introduce an opinion as someone’s point of view: 在我看来, 在老师看来.
HSK 3
5 min
Starting from a Point with 从……起
Use 从……起 to say that something starts at a certain time and carries on from then: 从明天起, 从下个月起.
HSK 3
5 min
Saying “For Someone” with 对……来说
Use 对……来说 to say what something is like for a particular person: easy, hard, new or important for them.
HSK 3
7 min
Result Complements 到, 住, 走 and 上
Add 到, 住, 走 or 上 after a verb to show the result: found it, held it, took it away, or closed it.
HSK 3
7 min
出, 起 and 下 as Result Complements
Use 出, 起 and 下 after a verb to show a result: come up with (想出), recall (想起), and keep or fit (写下, 坐得下).
HSK 3
6 min
Degree Complements 得很, 极了 and 坏了
Say “really” and “extremely” after an adjective with 得很, 极了 and 坏了: 好得很, 高兴极了, 累坏了.
HSK 3
6 min
Time Since an Action: 来中国三年了
Say how long it has been since something happened, as in 他来中国三年了 and 我们下课十分钟了.
HSK 3
7 min
Appearing and Disappearing: 前面走过来一个人
Describe someone or something arriving or leaving a place, as in 家里来了一位客人 and 我们班走了两个同学.
HSK 3
6 min
Repeating the Verb: 说汉语说得很好
Repeat the verb when it has both an object and a complement, as in 他说汉语说得很好 and 我看书看了两个小时.
HSK 3
6 min
别的 and 其他 for “Other”
Use 别的 and 其他 to talk about other things, people and places.
HSK 3
6 min
不用 and 不必 for “No Need To”
Use 不用 and 不必 to say something is not necessary.
HSK 3
6 min
...的话，就... for “If … Then”
Close an “if” clause with 的话 and link the result with 就.
HSK 2
5 min
都...了 for “Already”
Use 都...了 to stress that it is already late, a lot, or a certain point, often with surprise or impatience.
HSK 2
6 min
经常, 常常, 总是 and 又 for “Often”, “Always” and “Again”
Say how often something happens with 经常, 常常 and 总是, and use 又 for a repeat that already happened.
HSK 3
5 min
该...了 for “It’s Time To …”
Use 该……了 to say it’s time to do something, or that it’s someone’s turn.
HSK 3
5 min
根据 for “According to”
Use 根据 to say what a fact, choice, or plan is based on.
HSK 2
5 min
还是...吧 for “Had Better”
Use 还是...吧 to suggest the better choice after thinking it over.
HSK 3
6 min
Multiple Modifiers for “My Two New Books”
Line up several describing words before a noun in the order Chinese speakers expect.
HSK 2
5 min
什么的 for “And So On”
End a list of examples with 什么的 to say “and so on” in everyday speech.
HSK 3
6 min
Verbs and Clauses as Subjects for “Swimming Is Good”
Use an action, a quality or a whole “someone does something” phrase as the subject of a sentence.
HSK 3
5 min
X什么(啊) for Friendly “No Need to …”
Use 谢什么啊 and 急什么 to wave away thanks, worries or a claim you disagree with.
HSK 3
5 min
一般来说 for “Generally Speaking”
Open a sentence with 一般来说 to say what is usually true in most cases.
HSK 3
6 min
不一会儿 and 一会儿...一会儿... for “Soon After” and “Now … Now …”
Tell how fast something happened with 不一会儿, and describe quick back-and-forth changes with 一会儿……，一会儿……
HSK 3
5 min
又...又... for “Both … And …”
Use 又……又…… to give two qualities or actions at the same time.
HSK 2
6 min
A有B那么... for “As … As”
Use A有B那么/这么 + adjective to ask or say whether A reaches B’s level.
HSK 4
5 min
一大碗, 一小块 for “A Big Bowl,” “A Small Piece”
Slip 大 or 小 between a number and a measure word to say “a big bowlful” or “a small piece.”
HSK 3
6 min
把...送给, 交给, 还给 for “Give Something to Someone”
Use 把 + thing + verb + 给 + person to say you give, hand, lend or return a specific thing to someone: 请把作业交给老师.
HSK 4
6 min
把 + Verb一Verb and 把 + Verb + 了
A 把 sentence cannot end in a bare verb: finish it with a doubled verb (擦一擦, 看了看) or with 了 (卖了, 忘了).
HSK 3
6 min
A比B更... and A比B还... for “Even More … Than”
Add 更 or 还 before the adjective in a 比 sentence to say B already has the quality and A has even more of it; 还 adds a note of surprise.
HSK 3
6 min
A比B早来..., 多买... for “Arrived Earlier, Bought More”
To compare actions with a number, put 早, 晚, 多 or 少 before the verb and the amount after it: 我比他早到了十分钟, 姐姐比我多吃了一碗饭.
HSK 3
6 min
才 and 就 for Emphasis: 才八点, 才不去呢, 就是他
Beyond time, 才 can mean “only, just” before a small number, and 才…呢 or 就 make a statement strong: 我才不去呢 “No way I’m going,” 就是他 “It’s him, exactly.”
HSK 3
6 min
大概 and 三四个 for “About” and “Three or Four”
Give a rough number in two ways: put 大概 before the number (大概二十分钟), or say two neighbouring numbers together (两三天, 三四个, 七八岁).
HSK 3
6 min
当然, 其实 and 终于 for “Of Course,” “Actually” and “Finally”
Use 当然 for something obvious, 其实 for the real truth behind how things look, and 终于 for something that finally happens after a wait.
HSK 3
6 min
或者...，或者... for “Either … Or …”
Start each choice with 或者 to list two or more options in a statement: 周末我或者在家看书，或者去公园跑步.
HSK 5
5 min
Verb + 一眼 for “Take a Glance”
Use 眼 after a looking verb to count glances: 看了他一眼, 多看两眼, 一眼就认出来.
HSK 3
6 min
口, 回, 遍 and 声 for Counting Actions
Count actions with 口 (a bite or sip), 回 (a time), 遍 (once through, start to finish) and 声 (a call or sound).
HSK 3
6 min
离不开, 完不成, 分不开 for Splitting 离开, 完成, 分开
离开, 完成 and 分开 are verb + result words that can open up for 得 or 不 to say whether something can or cannot happen.
HSK 3
6 min
是...的 for Sure, Firm Opinions
Wrap a judgment in 是…的 to make it sound sure and convincing: 这个问题是可以解决的 “This problem can definitely be solved.”
HSK 3
6 min
Verb + Complement Phrases like 记住, 走进来, 听不懂
A verb-complement phrase is a verb plus a word after it that tells the result, direction, possibility or degree of the action; at HSK 3 you need to recognize all four kinds.
HSK 3
6 min
碗 and 盘 for “a Bowl of” and “a Plate of”
Use the container words 碗 and 盘 as measure words to count food by the bowl and by the plate.
HSK 3
6 min
向 for “Toward” a Direction or Place
Put 向 + a direction, place or person before a movement verb to say which way the action goes: 向前走, 向左转, 向我跑过来.
HSK 3
6 min
一个一个 and 一张一张 for “One by One”
Repeat a number + measure word, as in 一个一个 or 一张一张, to say an action happens one unit at a time: one by one, step by step, day by day.
HSK 3
6 min
怎样 for “How” and “What Kind Of”
Use 怎样 to ask how something is done, what someone thinks of something, and what kind of person or thing it is.
Make HSK 3 stick
Study every HSK 3 word as a flashcard with audio. HanyuGuide brings each one back for review right before you would forget it.