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HSK 2.0 Level 2+ HSK 3.0 Level 2+ 6 min read

Noun, Verb and Adjective Phrases

See how Chinese words group into noun, verb and adjective phrases, and where each type fits in a sentence.

Pattern

noun phrase (我的书) · verb phrase (看书) · adjective phrase (很漂亮)

Noun phrases name things, verb phrases say what someone does, and adjective phrases describe; each type fills its own slots in a sentence.

我的妹妹很喜欢那件红色的衣服。

When to use Noun, Verb and Adjective Phrases

A phrase is a group of words that works as one unit. Its type comes from its main word. A noun phrase (名词性短语) is built around a noun: 我的书, 一个苹果, 很多朋友, 红色的衣服. It usually works as the subject or object.

我的书在桌子上。

My book is on the table.

我想去学校。

I want to go to school.

这件衣服非常漂亮。

This piece of clothing is very pretty.

他很高。

He is tall.

Common traps

  • Don’t put 是 before an adjective phrase: say 他很高, not 他是高.
  • Put 的 between an adjective phrase and the noun it describes: 很漂亮的衣服.
  • 很 does not go straight before a noun: say 很多朋友, not 很朋友.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

这件衣服 贵了！

This piece of clothing is too expensive!
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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