Grammar

Chinese Grammar Guides & drills

Bite-sized grammar explainers mapped to HSK levels, each paired with fill-in-the-blank quizzes so you can grasp the patterns through practice.

Basic Chinese Sentence Order

Build reliable starter sentences by placing people, time, place, action, and object in a natural order.

是, 有, and 在

Use the three most important beginner verbs for identity, possession, and location.

吗 Question Particle

Turn statements into yes/no questions with 吗, plus a cloze drill.

Question Words

Ask who, what, where, how, and how much without adding extra question machinery.

A-not-A Questions

Make compact yes-or-no questions like 好不好 and 去不去 without 吗.

不 vs 没有

Choose the right beginner negation for habits, plans, possession, and completed actions.

的 for Possession

Show whose thing it is and attach simple descriptions with 的.

Measure Words with 个

Count people and things with the basic measure word pattern.

Time Before the Verb

Place time words like 今天, 明天, and 现在 before the verb phrase.

Location Words with 在

Describe locations with 在 plus places and position words like 左边 and 里面.

很 with Adjectives

Use 很 to make simple adjective sentences sound complete.

要, 想, and 可以

Make practical requests, wants, and permission sentences with three starter modal verbs.

了 for Change and Completion

Recognize two early uses of 了: completed actions and new situations.

都 and 也 Word Order

Place “all” and “also” naturally in short Chinese sentences.

和 and 跟 for “And/With”

Connect people and things, and say who you do something with.

Basic Topic-Comment Sentences

Use simple topic-fronting to sound more natural in beginner conversations.

比 Comparisons

Use 比 to compare with quick examples and a cloze drill.

过 for Experience

Talk about places visited, foods tried, and things done at least once.

正在 vs 在 vs 着

Use 正在, 在, and 着 for actions in progress with examples and a cloze drill.

或者 vs 还是

Pick the right “or” with fast examples plus an interactive cloze quiz.

以前 and 以后

Say before class, after work, before coming, and after eating with natural sequence words.

一下 for Light Actions

Soften requests and describe quick tries with 一下.

是...的 for Details

Highlight the detail of a known past event.

到, 离, and 从

Talk about routes, distance, and origin with three essential place words.

能, 会, and 可以

Choose the right “can” for skill, possibility, and permission.

Serial Verb Sentences

Say go buy food, come see me, sit down eat, and other action chains.

Chinese Result Complements: From Doing Something to Getting a Result

Learn 听懂, 看见, 做完 and 找到, with action-versus-result comparisons, negative sentences and original practice.

Duration and Frequency

Say how long something lasted and how many times it happened.

跟...一样

Compare equality instead of difference.

还是 vs 吗 Questions

Pick the right question shape for open yes-or-no questions and direct choices.

着 for Continuing State

Describe doors open, lights on, clothes worn, and people sitting or standing.

Chinese Sentence-Final Particles

Understand how 吗, 呢, 吧, 啊, 了, 哦, 呀, 嘛, 啦, 咯, 喽, and 呗 shape questions, suggestions, updates, and tone.

When to Use 的, 得, and 地

Learn the difference between 的, 得, and 地 with quick examples and a cloze drill.

被 vs 把

Learn when to use 被 and 把 with clear examples and a cloze drill.

因为...所以...

Build clear cause-and-effect sentences for explanations and excuses.

如果...就...

Make if-then sentences for plans, rules, and likely outcomes.

一...就...

Connect two events where the second happens immediately after the first.

越...越...

Describe “the more..., the more...” relationships.

Result Complements in Context

Extend result complements beyond the starter pairs.

Potential Complements

Say can understand, cannot finish, can see clearly, and cannot get in.

起来

Recognize the flexible complement 起来 in practical sentences.

了 vs 过

Contrast two aspect markers that both look backward but mean different things.

先, 然后, 最后

Explain routines, instructions, and plans with clear sequencing.

除了 for “Except”

Handle basic exception sentences before the HSK 4 expanded pattern.

一边...一边...

Say someone listens while writing, eats while chatting, or walks while talking.

让 and 叫

Talk about permission, requests, and caused actions.

Negative Comparisons

Avoid the common trap of making every negative comparison with 不.

Discourse Connectors

Move beyond single sentences with actually, in addition, and for example.

虽然...但是...

Make “although...but...” sentences that connect opposing ideas.

只要...就... and 只有...才...

Separate “as long as” from “only if.”

除了...以外

Handle inclusion and exclusion with the fuller HSK 4 exception pattern.

越来越...

Describe trends that become more and more true.

不但...而且...

Build polished “not only...but also...” sentences.

Advanced 把 and 被 Sentences

Handle longer object-fronting and passive sentences with complements.

Abstract Directional Complements

Practice 看出来, 想起来, 说下去, and other abstract directional complements.

把 for Result and Location

Practice 把 sentences where the final state or location matters.

小 and 第 as Word Prefixes

Use 第 to turn a number into an order word like “first” or “second”, and 小 to make a friendly name like 小王.

Plural Pronouns with 们

Add 们 to 我, 你, 他 and 她 to say “we”, “you all” and “they”, and know when 们 can follow a word for people.

Direction Words 上, 下, 里, 外, 前, 后

Say where things are, like “on the table” or “in my bag”, by putting 上, 下, 里, 外, 前 or 后 after the noun.

Personal Pronouns 我, 你, 您, 他, 她, 它 and 大家

Use 我, 你, 您, 他, 她, 它 and 大家 correctly as subject or object, choose polite 您, and greet a whole group with 大家.

这 and 那: This, That, Here, There, and 有的

Point to people, things and places with 这, 那, 这个, 这些, 这儿 and 那里, and pick out “some” of a group with 有的 and 有些.

Number + Measure Word Phrases like 三个, 两本, 一次

Count people, things and actions the Chinese way, with a measure word between the number and the noun: 三个人, 两本书, 去过一次.

Ordinal Numbers with 第: 第一, 第二, 第几

Turn any number into “first, second, third” with 第, ask “which one?” with 第几, and know when Chinese shows order without 第.

Dates with 年, 月, 号 and 星期

Say and ask dates the Chinese way, from big to small: year 年, month 月, day 号 or 日, then weekday 星期.

Telling Time in Chinese: Hours, Minutes and Meeting Times

Learn how to ask and tell the time in Mandarin with 点, 分, 半 and 刻, plus clear examples for appointments and clock-reading practice.

Separable Verbs 睡觉, 上课, 说话, 生病

Use everyday separable verbs like 睡觉, 上课, 上班, 说话 and 生病, and know what can go in the middle and what can’t follow them.

Sentences Without a Subject: 下雨了, 上课了, 有人吗

Say complete sentences that have no subject at all, like 下雨了, 上课了, 有人找你 and 请进, without adding an English-style “it”.

Commands with 请, 吧, 不要 and Negation with 不, 没

Ask, suggest and tell people not to do things with 请, 吧, 不要 and 别, and choose correctly between 不, 没 and 没有.

Exclamations with 太……了, 真 and 多……啊

Show strong feelings with 太好了！, 真好吃！ and 多漂亮啊！, and know when 太……了 means “too” rather than “so”.

Double Objects with 给, 问, 教, 送 and 告诉

Say who gets what with verbs like 给, 问, 教, 送 and 告诉: verb + person + thing, as in 老师给我一本书.

The Suffix 面 in 上面, 里面, 外面

Add 面 to a direction word to make a full place word like 上面 “on top” or 外面 “outside” that can stand on its own.

Left and Right with 左 and 右

Say where things are with 左边 and 右边, give directions with 往左 and 往右, and name the left or right hand with 左手 and 右手.

Doubled Verbs: 看看, 看一看, 看了看, 休息休息

Double a verb (看看, 想一想, 休息休息) to make an action sound quick and relaxed, and use 看了看 for a quick action that already happened.

Doubled Adjectives: 大大, 慢慢, 高高兴兴

Double an adjective as AA (大大, 慢慢) or AABB (高高兴兴) to paint a vivid picture, and attach it with 的, 地 or 得.

Use 可能 before a verb to say something might happen or might be true, and tell it apart from 可以 and 不可能.

自己 for “Myself, Yourself, On My Own”

Use 自己 to say “myself” or “yourself”, to stress that someone does something on their own, and 自己的 for “my own”.

这么, 那么, 这样, 那样 and 每

Say “so hot” with 这么热, “like this” with 这样做, “that kind of” with 那样的, and “every day” with 每天.

Big and Rough Numbers with 万, 好多 and 多

Count in ten-thousands with 万, say “lots of” with 好多, and say “twenty-something” or “over an hour” with 多.

Counting Times with 次: 去过两次

Say how many times you did something with verb + number + 次, and put the object in the right place.

Degree Adverbs 最, 多 and 好

Say “the most” with 最, “how beautiful!” with 多漂亮啊, and a chatty “so cold!” with 好冷啊.

About to Happen: 要, 快要, 就要……了

Say something is about to happen with 要……了, 快要……了 or 就要……了, and contrast it with 已经……了 for what has already happened.

From and Toward with 从 and 往

Use 从 to say where a movement starts or which way it goes through, and 往 to say which direction someone is heading.

Prepositions 给 and 跟 Before the Verb

Use 给 to say who receives an action, like 给妈妈打电话, and 跟 to say who you do something with, like 跟朋友一起去.

因为 + Noun for “Because of”

Use 因为 with a short reason, like 因为这件事 or 因为生病, before the verb to say what caused something.

Result Complements 错, 懂, 好, 会, 完

Add 错, 懂, 好, 会 or 完 after a verb to say how an action turned out: 写错, 听懂, 做好, 学会, 吃完.

Direction After a Verb: 来, 去, 上, 下, 进, 出, 过, 回

Add 来 or 去 after a verb to show movement toward or away from you, and 上, 下, 进, 出, 过 or 回 to show which way something moves.

Verb + 得 to Say How Well Something Is Done

Use verb + 得 + adjective to comment on how someone does something, like 他跑得很快 or 你说得很对.

Place + Verb + 着 to Describe What Is There

Describe what is in a place and how it is placed, like 桌子上放着一本书 or 门口站着两个人.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

说不定, 不怎么 and 不怎么样

Use 说不定 for “maybe”, 不怎么 + verb or adjective for “not very”, and 不怎么样 for “not that great”.

Pivot Sentences with 让, 叫, 请 and 使

Say who asks, invites or makes someone do something, as in 老师让我们读课文 and 这件事让我很高兴.

联合, 偏正, 动宾, 主谓 for the Four Basic Phrase Types

See how Chinese builds phrases by joining equal words, adding a describer, adding an object, or pairing a subject with a predicate.

别的 and 其他 for “Other”

Use 别的 and 其他 to talk about other things, people and places.

不用 and 不必 for “No Need To”

Use 不用 and 不必 to say something is not necessary.

A，B for Joining Clauses Without Connecting Words

Join two short clauses with just a comma and let the meaning show how they connect.

...的话，就... for “If … Then”

Close an “if” clause with 的话 and link the result with 就.

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.

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.

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.

根据 for “According to”

Use 根据 to say what a fact, choice, or plan is based on.

...，还... for Adding Another Fact

Use 还 in a second clause to add one more thing someone did, does, or is.

还是...吧 for “Had Better”

Use 还是...吧 to suggest the better choice after thinking it over.

看起来 and 看上去 for “It Looks …”

Say how someone or something looks, and what you guess from it, with 看起来 and 看上去.

Multiple Modifiers for “My Two New Books”

Line up several describing words before a noun in the order Chinese speakers expect.

今天星期一 for Sentences Without 是

Say dates, times, ages, and prices with a noun or number right after the subject, no 是 needed, and ask “how is it?” with just 怎么样.

Noun, Verb and Adjective Phrases

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

块, 毛 and 分 for Saying Prices

Say Chinese prices out loud with 块, 毛 and 分, and know when the last unit can be dropped.

什么的 for “And So On”

End a list of examples with 什么的 to say “and so on” in everyday speech.

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.

喂 for “Hello?” on the Phone

Use 喂 to answer or start a phone call, and to call out “hey” to get attention.

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.

一...也不 and 一点儿也不 for “Not Even One”

Say “not a single one” and “not at all” with 一...也/都 + 不/没.

一般来说 for “Generally Speaking”

Open a sentence with 一般来说 to say what is usually true in most cases.

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……

一起 for “Together”

Use 一起 before the verb to say people do something together.

又...又... for “Both … And …”

Use 又……又…… to give two qualities or actions at the same time.

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.

再 and 就 for “Again” and “Then”

Use 再 for doing something again later, and 再 and 就 to link one step to the next.

贵十块, 大两岁 for Adjective + Amount

To say by how much, put the amount right after the adjective: 贵十块 “ten yuan more expensive”, 大两岁 “two years older”, 晚了二十分钟 “twenty minutes late”.

几, 十多个 and 一个多小时 for Approximate Numbers

In statements, 几 means “a few” (几个人, 十几岁); 多 means “and more”, before the measure word after round numbers (二十多个) and after it with splittable units (一个多小时, 三块多).

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.

帮忙, 游泳, 跳舞, 跑步 for Separable Verbs

帮忙, 游泳, 跳舞 and 跑步 are verb + object words that split apart: 了, 过, time words and the person you help go in the middle.

他比我跑得快 and 他跑得比我快 for Comparing Actions

To compare how two people do something, combine 比 with a 得 complement: 他比我跑得快 or 他跑得比我快 both mean “he runs faster than me”.

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.

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.

别 for “Don’t”

别 + verb tells someone not to do something; 别…了 tells them to stop, or to drop a plan.

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.”

陈述句 for Statements: Saying What Is and What Isn’t

A declarative sentence (陈述句) tells a fact in normal word order and ends with 。; make it negative with 不 or 没, and add 吗 to turn it into a question.

走进来, 跑出去, 拿回来 for Two-Part Direction Complements

A compound directional complement adds a direction (进, 出, 上, 下, 回, 过, 起) plus 来 or 去 after a verb: 走进来 “walk in (toward me)”, 跑出去 “run out (away from me)”.

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).

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.

我的, 新的, 卖水果的 for 的-Phrases (“Mine”, “The New One”)

A 的-phrase is a describer + 的 with the noun left out: 我的 (mine), 大的 (the big one), 卖水果的 (the fruit seller), 妈妈做的 (what Mom made).

很, 非常, 太, 真 and 有点儿 for “How Much”

Choose the right degree word before an adjective: plain 很, strong 非常, “too” or “so” with 太, exclaiming 真, and slightly unwelcome 有点儿.

定语 and 状语 for Describing Nouns and Verbs

Describers always come first in Chinese: a 定语 goes before a noun (我的书, 三本书), and a 状语 goes before a verb or adjective (今天在家学习, 都很好).

还, 正 and 有时候 for “Still”, “Right Then” and “Sometimes”

还 means “still” (还没 = “not yet”), 正 puts an action right in progress at a certain moment, and 有时候 means “sometimes”; all three go before the verb.

和 and 对 for “With” and “To”

Use 和 + person for doing something with someone, and 对 + person for who your words or attitude are aimed at; both go before the verb.

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.

就 and 还是 for “Exactly” and “Still”

As mood adverbs, 就 stresses that something is exactly so (我就是王明), 还是 says something is still true in spite of what happened, and 都…了 means “already”.

看来 for “It Seems” and “Looks Like”

Use 看来 after a fact you have noticed to draw a conclusion from it: 门关着，看来家里没人 “The door’s shut, so it seems nobody’s home.”

可是 and 可 for “But”

Start the second clause with 可是, or the shorter, more casual 可, when what follows goes against what you just said.

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).

Verb了...就... for “After …, (Then) …”

Put 了 after the first verb to mean “once this is done,” and 就 before the second verb for what follows: 我下了课就去图书馆.

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.

本, 家, 口, 件, 只 and 杯: Measure Words Beyond 个

Count books with 本, shops with 家, family members with 口, clothes with 件, animals with 只, pieces with 块, money with 元, and drinks with the borrowed measure word 杯.

条, 位, 间, 名 and 包 for Roads, People, Rooms and Packets

条 counts long, thin things, 位 and 名 count people politely or formally, 间 counts rooms, and 包 counts things that come in a bag or packet.

们 and 边 Suffixes for “Groups” and “Sides”

Add 们 to a pronoun or a word for people to make a group, and add 边 to 上, 前, 左 and other direction words to make a place word that can stand on its own.

那 and 但 for “In That Case” and “But”

At the start of a reply, 那 means “then, in that case”; 但 is a shorter 但是 for “but”. Together with 虽然, 因为, 所以 and 还是, they join clauses.

今天晴天 and 他是高个子 for Describing With Noun Phrases

A noun phrase can describe a feature of the subject, with or without 是: 今天晴天, 我妹妹长头发, 他是个高个子, 这件衣服是新的.

二, 两, 零 and 半 for Saying Numbers

Build Chinese numbers from 一 to 千, choose between 二 and 两, fill gaps with 零, and say “half” and “one and a half” with 半.

三楼, 二年级, 五号 for Order Without 第

For numbered things in a series, such as floors, school years, classes and dates, a number + unit word already shows order: 三楼 “the third floor”, 二年级 “second grade”.

作业做完了 for Thing-First Sentences Without 被

In Chinese, the thing that receives the action can simply be the subject, with no 被: 作业做完了 means “the homework is done”.

桌子上有一本书 for “There Is” with 有 and 是

Start with the place, then use 有 + number + measure word + noun to say what is there, or 是 + noun to name what fills that spot.

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.”

主语 and 宾语 for the Subject and the Object

The subject comes first and the object comes right after the verb; a noun, a pronoun or a noun phrase can fill either slot, and only word order shows who does what.

今天天气很好 for Sentences With a Second Subject

In a 主谓谓语句 the predicate is a small subject + predicate: 今天 | 天气很好, 他 | 个子很高, 我们学校 | 学生很多.

天, 年, 岁, 点, 分, 号 for Time Words Without 个

Put 天, 年, 岁, 点, 分, 号 and 日 straight after a number to say how long, how old, what time and what date, with no 个 in between.

Verb + 着 + Verb for “Doing One Thing While Doing Another”

In verb1 + 着 + verb2, the first verb with 着 describes the manner or state in which the main action (verb2) is done: 笑着说, 站着吃饭, 走着去.

我喝茶 and 他很忙 for Verb and Adjective Predicates

The predicate (谓语) says something about the subject: a verb phrase tells what the subject does, an adjective phrase describes it, and neither needs an extra “is.”

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.

做完, 走进来, 跑得快 for Verb-Complement Phrases

A verb-complement phrase (动补短语) is a verb plus a word after it that tells the result, direction, state or amount of the action: 做完, 走进来, 跑得很快, 等了一个小时.

送给他一本书 for Verb + 给 + Person + Thing

Verbs of passing something on can take 给 right after them, then the person, then the thing: 送给他一本书, 借给我一支笔, 还给你.

我买的书 for Describing Nouns With Actions

To describe a noun with an action, put the verb phrase or subject + verb before the noun and add 的: 来的人, 学汉语的学生, 妈妈做的菜.

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.

为什么 for “Why”

为什么 asks for a reason; it sits after the subject, before the verb, and the answer usually starts with 因为.

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.

……，也…… for “Also” and “Too”

Put 也 right before the verb of a second clause to say “also” or “too,” and use 还 when the same person adds one more thing.

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.

在...呢 and ...呢 for Actions in Progress

Say what is happening right now with 在 or 正在 before the verb, add 呢 at the end for a friendly spoken tone, or use 呢 alone.

在...上, 在...下 and 在...中 for “In Terms Of,” “With” and “During”

Beyond real places, 在…上 frames an area (在学习上), 在…下 a condition or help (在老师的帮助下), and 在…中 a process or event (在旅行中).

在学校 and 桌子上 for Preposition and Location Phrases

Build location phrases like 桌子上 and 教室里 (noun + location word), and preposition phrases like 在学校 and 和朋友 that go before the verb.

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.

Questions about this resource

Which Chinese grammar patterns should a beginner learn first?

Start with short statements, questions with 吗, negatives with 不 and 没有, and possession with 的. A basic statement often follows subject–verb–object: 我喝水 means “I drink water.” Learn each pattern with a sentence you can change and reuse.

How can I practise grammar at my HSK level?

Use the level filter to find guides, then try their examples and available practice. A level filter includes material up to that level. This is a collection of explanations and exercises, not a grammar checker for text you submit.