Explain what happened.
Describe experiences, give reasons and make your meaning more precise. Work through complements, connected sentences and constructions that share an English translation.
79 grammar topics, 75 with practice.
这个菜有点咸，下次做淡一点。
Zhège cài yǒudiǎn xián, xià cì zuò dàn yìdiǎn.
This dish is a bit salty; make it a little less salty next time.
Study this construction →79 topics
Subj. + 一直 + Predicate
Learn how 一直 expresses an action or state continuing through a period, including “all along,” “continuously,” and some uses of “always.”
我一直在学习中文。
Wǒ yīzhí zài xuéxí Zhōngwén.
I've been studying Chinese all along.
总是 + Verb
Use 总是 before verbs and descriptive predicates for habits, recurring events, or situations that consistently happen in Mandarin.
他总是迟到。
Tā zǒngshì chídào.
He is always late.
只 + Verb
Use 只 before verbs and modal verbs to limit actions, abilities, possessions, or quantities in a Chinese sentence.
我只有一个哥哥。
Wǒ zhǐ yǒu yī gè gēge.
I only have one older brother.
一边 + Verb 1 (，) 一边 + Verb 2
Use 一边……一边 for two activities carried out together, and distinguish deliberate multitasking from a general “when” time clause.
不要一边吃东西， 一边说话。
Bùyào yībiān chī dōngxi, yībiān shuōhuà.
Don't speak while eating.
又⋯⋯ 又⋯⋯
Link two qualities of the same subject with 又……又 and understand how the paired descriptions combine into one overall impression.
她男朋友又高又帅。
Tā nánpéngyou yòu gāo yòu shuài.
Her boyfriend is both tall and handsome.
Subj. + 多 + Adj.
Use 多 before adjectives to express admiration, surprise, or a strong reaction, and distinguish these exclamations from degree questions.
一个人多好！
Yīgèrén duō hǎo!
It's so nice being alone!
Adj. + 的 + Noun
Connect adjectives to nouns with 的, recognize when short combinations omit it, and use adjective + 的 when the noun is understood.
漂亮的女孩儿
piàoliang de nǚháir
beautiful girl
Adj. + 地 + Verb
Place a manner phrase and 地 before a Chinese action verb, and distinguish this structure from noun modifiers with 的 and complements with 得.
你要努力地学习。
Nǐ yào nǔlì de xuéxí.
You must study hard.
Subject + 又 + verb phrase / 又 + 没 / 不 + predicate
Point out a repeated event or situation that has occurred again.
我的手机又没电了。
Wǒ de shǒujī yòu méi diàn le.
My phone has run out of power again.
Duration + 没 + Verb + 了
Say how long an action has not occurred by placing the elapsed period before 没 and ending the Chinese clause with 了.
他们已经两天没吃东西了。
Tāmen yǐjīng liǎng tiān méi chī dōngxi le.
They haven't eaten anything for two days.
Subject + 终于 + Predicate (+ 了)
Use 终于 before a predicate for an outcome reached after waiting or difficulty, without treating 了 as mandatory in every sentence.
你终于到了！
Nǐ zhōngyú dào le!
You've finally arrived!
Subj. + Time + 才 + Verb
Use 才 after a time expression to present an event as late relative to expectations, and distinguish this timing use from 才 marking small amounts.
我昨天晚上十一点才到家。
Wǒ zuótiān wǎnshang shíyī diǎn cái dào jiā.
I didn't arrive at home until eleven o'clock last night.
先 + first action / 再 + next action
Describe a sequence of actions: first this, then that.
我们先看菜单，再点菜。
Wǒmen xiān kàn càidān, zài diǎn cài.
Let us look at the menu first, then order.
Subj. + 老 (是 ) + Verb
Use 老是 or 老 before a predicate for recurring behavior, often with frustration, and distinguish this adverb from 老 describing age.
你怎么老是加班？
Nǐ zěnme lǎoshì jiābān?
Why are you always working late?
那么 / 这么 + Adj.
Use 这么 and 那么 before adjectives to point to a degree, and understand how context and viewpoint affect the choice between them.
他说得这么快，你们听得懂吗？
Tā shuō de zhème kuài, nǐmen tīng de dǒng ma?
He speaks so fast. Can you guys understand?
Subj. + 比较 + Adj.
Use 比较 before adjectives or suitable mental verbs for a relative degree, and distinguish the adverb from the verb meaning to compare.
这个问题比较简单。
Zhège wèntí bǐjiào jiǎndān.
This question is quite easy.
Subj. + 几乎 + Verb
Use 几乎 to qualify a whole group or a predicate, and distinguish almost all from the near absence expressed with 没有.
几乎每个人都有手机。
Jīhū měi gè rén dōu yǒu shǒujī.
Almost everyone has a cell phone.
A + 和 + B + 一样 + adjective / A + 和 + B + 一样
Compare equal qualities, matching sizes, and other shared features.
这两张票一样贵。
Zhè liǎng zhāng piào yíyàng guì.
These two tickets cost the same.
A + 没有 + B + 那么 + adjective / A + 没有 + B + 这么 + adjective
Explain that one thing has less of a quality than another.
这条小路没有大路那么宽。
Zhè tiáo xiǎolù méiyǒu dàlù nàme kuān.
This small road is not as wide as the main road.
A + 有 + B + (这么 / 那么 +) Adjective + 吗？
Use 有 + reference + adjective to ask whether something reaches another’s degree, and recognize expanded patterns with 那么 or 这么.
他有我帅吗？
Tā yǒu wǒ shuài ma?
Is he as handsome as me?
跟 + Noun 1 + 比 (起来) ，Noun 2⋯⋯
Frame Chinese comparisons with 跟…比 or 跟…比起来, placing the reference first before explaining a difference or preference.
跟上海比，我老家的物价很低。
Gēn Shànghǎi bǐ, wǒ lǎojiā de wùjià hěn dī.
Compared to Shanghai, prices in my hometown are very low.
Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + 更 / 还 + Adj.
Add 更 or 还 before an adjective in a 比 sentence to emphasize a stronger degree relative to the comparison standard.
上海比纽约人口更多。
Shànghǎi bǐ Niǔyuē rénkǒu gèng duō.
Shanghai's population is even bigger than New York's.
Subject + 刚 + Predicate; 刚才 + Subject + Predicate / Subject + 刚才 + Predicate
Distinguish adverb 刚 from time word 刚才 by word order, relative recency, noun modification, and interaction with aspect.
他刚到。
Tā gāng dào.
He just arrived.
有点 vs. 一点
Choose 有点 before descriptions and 一点 after comparative or request adjectives, and recognize their different negative patterns.
今天我有点累。
Jīntiān wǒ yǒudiǎn lèi.
I am a little tired today.
还是 vs. 或者
Use 还是 in alternative questions and 或者 in statements of possibilities, including questions embedded inside larger sentences.
你喜欢他还是我？
Nǐ xǐhuan tā háishì wǒ?
Do you like him or me?
Time + 才 / 就 + predicate; 才 + time / quantity
Compare 才 and 就 for timing and quantity, and learn why 才 before a clock time can mean it is only that early.
我等了两个小时才买到票。
Wǒ děng le liǎng gè xiǎoshí cái mǎi dào piào.
I waited two hours before I could buy the ticket.
再 + intended repeat; 又 + recurring event
Choose 再 or 又 for repetition, distinguish planned repeats from recurring events, and recognize 又 with future expectations.
我们下次再来吧。
Wǒmen xiàcì zài lái ba.
We will come here again next time.
Event + 以后; action 1，然后 + action 2; past situation，后来 + development
Choose 以后 for an after-reference or future time, 然后 for sequence, and 后来 for a later development in a past account.
我们先复习一下， 然后上新课。
Wǒmen xiān fùxí yīxià, ránhòu shàng xīn kè.
Let's do some review first and then study a new lesson.
我们先复习，然后上新课。
Wǒmen xiān fùxí, ránhòu shàng xīn kè.
First we review; then we study a new lesson.
⋯⋯或者⋯⋯
Use 或者 to present alternatives in Chinese statements, and distinguish it from 还是 when a question asks someone to choose.
我喝咖啡或者茶，都行。
Wǒ hē kāfēi huòzhě chá, dōu xíng.
I drink coffee or tea. Either is OK.
跟⋯⋯ + Verb
Put 跟 + person before the action to express “with” in Chinese, and use 一起 when you want to emphasize doing something together.
我昨天跟朋友去海滩了。
Wǒ zuótiān gēn péngyou qù hǎitān le.
I went to the beach with friends yesterday.
那么⋯⋯
Use 那么 or 那 to respond to established circumstances with a decision, inference, suggestion, or follow-up question in Chinese.
他不听， 那我应该怎么办？
Tā bù tīng, nà wǒ yīnggāi zěnme bàn?
He won't listen. So what should I do?
只要 + sufficient condition，subject + 就 + result
Use 只要…就 for a sufficient condition and distinguish it from 只有…才, which makes a condition necessary.
只要你真的喜欢， 我就给你买。
Zhǐyào nǐ zhēnde xǐhuan, wǒ jiù gěi nǐ mǎi.
As long as you really like it, I will buy it for you.
Prerequisite / time / effort，subject + 才 + result
Show that time, effort, or a condition must precede a result with 才, and distinguish this from a simple event sequence.
我花了八千块才买到了旅游的东西。
Wǒ huā le bā qiān kuài cái mǎi dào le lǚyóu de dōngxi.
Only after spending 8000 RMB was I able to buy all the things for the trip.
只有 + necessary condition，subject + 才 + result
Express a necessary condition with 只有…才, and learn how its meaning differs from the sufficient-condition pattern 只要…就.
只有努力才能做好工作。
Zhǐyǒu nǔlì cái néng zuò hǎo gōngzuò.
Only if you work hard is it possible to do a good job.
Event + 以前 / 在 + time + 以前
Place an action before another event or before a stated time.
出门以前，我会检查窗户。
Chūmén yǐqián, wǒ huì jiǎnchá chuānghu.
Before leaving home, I check the windows.
以前，⋯⋯
Use 以前 for an earlier period in Chinese, placing it before or after the subject to describe former situations, habits, and experiences.
以前我不会说中文。
Yǐqián wǒ bù huì shuō Zhōngwén.
Before, I could not speak Chinese.
刚才 + Verb
Use 刚才 as a recent past time expression, place it before or after the subject, and distinguish it from the adverb 刚.
你刚才说什么了？
Nǐ gāngcái shuō shénme le?
What did you just say?
以后 + Clause / Subj. + 以后 + Verb + Obj.
Use 以后 for a later period or future situation in Chinese, and recognize that the reference point can come from a past narrative too.
以后你们会想我吗？
Yǐhòu nǐmen huì xiǎng wǒ ma?
In the future, will you miss me?
有的 + Noun
Use 有的 for certain members of a group, omit an understood noun, and repeat the pattern to describe different subsets in Mandarin.
外国人有的很有钱， 有的没钱。
Wàiguó rén yǒude hěn yǒuqián, yǒude méi qián.
Some foreigners are rich, but some aren't.
Event / Situation + 时，Subject + Predicate
Use event + 时 for when or during in Chinese, with correct word order and a comparison to the longer 的时候.
考试时不要说话。
Kǎoshì shí bùyào shuōhuà.
Don't talk when you're taking a test.
⋯⋯ ，后来 ⋯⋯
Use 后来 to connect events in a past narrative and distinguish it from expressions used for future plans.
他说他会来， 后来又说不来了。
Tā shuō tā huì lái, hòulái yòu shuō bù lái le.
He said he would come, but later he said that he's not coming.
Number + (Number + 1)
Use adjacent numbers for rough Chinese quantities, including pairs before classifiers and shared units for approximate tens or hundreds.
一两天
yī liǎng tiān
one or two days
Number + 万 / 亿
Read large Chinese numbers using groups of four digits, understand 万 and 亿, and translate million and billion amounts into Chinese units.
一百万
yībǎi wàn
1 million
Number 1 + 点(钟) + Number 2 + 分
Tell precise times in Chinese using minutes and quarter hours, add 零 for early minutes, and understand expressions for minutes before an hour.
两点零九分
liǎng diǎn líng jiǔ fēn
2:09
半 + Measure Word + Noun / Number + Measure Word + 半 + Noun
Place 半 correctly with Chinese classifiers, distinguish half a unit from a unit and a half, and recognize direct time units such as 天 and 年.
半个小时
bàn gè xiǎoshí
half an hour
才 + Number + Measure Word + Noun
Use 才 before quantities or quantity-bearing actions to emphasize that an amount, age, price, or duration is smaller than expected.
你才二十岁？
Nǐ cái èrshí suì?
You're only twenty?
⋯⋯了
Understand sentence-final 了 for a changed situation, including new feelings, changed habits, and circumstances that are about to become different.
我饿了。
Wǒ è le.
I'm hungry.
Modifier + 的 + Noun / Verb or Adjective + 得 + Complement / Manner phrase + 地 + Verb
Distinguish 的 before nouns, 得 before complements, and 地 before actions by the grammatical relationship each de marks in a Chinese sentence.
小李的房子
Xiǎo Lǐ de fángzi
Xiao Li's house
应该 / 该 + Verb
Use 应该 before an action for advice or expected behavior, and form “should not” with 不应该 rather than moving the negative after it.
在中国， 你应该喝白酒。
Zài Zhōngguó, nǐ yīnggāi hē báijiǔ.
In China, you should drink baijiu.
难 + Verb
Use 难 before verbs for difficulty, and learn why familiar sensory compounds such as 难吃 and 难看 describe unfavorable qualities.
这句话很难懂。
Zhè jù huà hěn nán dǒng.
This sentence is hard to understand.
Verb + 了 + Duration
Place duration after a verb and 了 to report an elapsed amount of activity, and understand why context is needed to show that the activity ended.
他学了一年中文。
Tā xué le yī nián Zhōngwén.
He studied Chinese for a year.
Verb + 了 + Duration + 了
Use verb + 了 + duration + 了 for elapsed activity continuing to now, including the repeated-verb arrangement when an object is involved.
你睡了一天了。
Nǐ shuì le yī tiān le.
You have been sleeping for the whole day.
没办法 + Verb
Use 没办法 alone or before an action to express practical inability, and understand how the situation determines what is impossible.
今天太忙了，中午没办法出去吃饭。
Jīntiān tài máng le, zhōngwǔ méi bànfǎ chūqù chīfàn.
It's too busy today. There's no way to go out for lunch.
很 + Verb
Use 很 with suitable verbs of liking, missing, fear, understanding, or hope, rather than placing it before every Chinese action verb.
我很想你。
Wǒ hěn xiǎng nǐ.
I really miss you.
Subject + 看起来 + Description; Subject + 看起来 + 像 + Noun Phrase
Describe visible impressions with 看起来 + adjective and use 看起来像 when saying what a person or thing looks like.
蛋糕看起来很好吃。
Dàngāo kànqilai hěn hǎochī.
The cake looks really tasty.
Subj. + 让 / 叫 / 请 / 使 + Person + Predicate
Build causative sentences with 让, 叫, 请, and 使 to describe permission, requests, and actions or feelings caused by others.
你为什么不让我去？
Nǐ wèishénme bù ràng wǒ qù?
Why won't you let me go?
我请小林坐下。
Wǒ qǐng Xiǎo Lín zuò xià.
I invite Xiaolin to sit down.
经过 + Event / Time ，⋯⋯
Use 经过 for passing a place and for the experience, preparation, or period that precedes an outcome in Chinese.
我每天上班都经过这里。
Wǒ měi tiān shàngbān dōu jīngguò zhèlǐ.
I pass by this place every day on the way to work.
Adj. + 极了
Use 极了 after adjectives for a very high degree, keep 了 in the construction, and distinguish degree emphasis from superlative ranking.
这个主意好极了。
Zhège zhǔyi hǎo jíle.
This idea is perfect.
A A + 的 (+ Noun)
Repeat suitable adjectives for vivid descriptions, recognize AA and AABB patterns, and distinguish descriptive repetition from verbs used for brief activities.
你的脸红红的。
Nǐ de liǎn hóng hóng de.
Your face is red.
关于 + Obj. ，⋯⋯
Use 关于 to introduce a topic or form a noun modifier with 的, and avoid adding it unnecessarily after Chinese verbs.
关于中国历史，我知道的不多。
Guānyú Zhōngguó lìshǐ, wǒ zhīdào de bù duō.
As for Chinese history, I don't know a lot.
直到 + Time / Event ，Subj. + 才 ⋯⋯
Express not until with 直到…才 and understand how 直到 with a negative clause describes a situation lasting to a boundary.
直到十二点半，我才做完作业。
Zhídào shí'èr diǎn bàn, wǒ cái zuò wán zuòyè.
It wasn't until 12:30 that I finished my homework.
向 + Direction / Person + Verb
Use 向 for physical direction and for the person addressed in requests, apologies, reports, or learning from someone.
向东走。
Xiàng dōng zǒu.
Walk to the east.
Verb + 来 / 去; Verb + Directional Element + 来 / 去
Learn how 来 and 去 mark movement relative to a viewpoint, and combine them with directional verbs such as 上, 下, and 出.
我在楼上，你上来。
Wǒ zài lóushàng, nǐ shànglái.
I'm on the upper floor. Come up to me.
Verb + 得 + result / direction / Verb + 不 + result / direction
Say whether a particular result or direction can be achieved under the circumstances.
这个箱子太大，放不进柜子。
Zhè ge xiāngzi tài dà, fàng bu jìn guìzi.
This box is too big to fit into the cupboard.
Subj. + Verb + 下去
Use verb + 下去 to keep an activity going in Chinese, and verb + 不下去 to explain that you cannot continue it.
说下去。
Shuō xiàqù.
Keep talking.
subject + 把 + object / verb + result or destination
Put a specific object before the verb to explain what happens to it.
我把钥匙放进包里了。
Wǒ bǎ yàoshi fàng jìn bāo lǐ le.
I put the key into the bag.
Affected Subject + 被 + (Doer +) Verb Phrase
Build Chinese passive sentences with 被, place the affected participant first, and decide whether to name the doer.
男孩吃了热狗。
Nánhái chī le règǒu.
The boy ate the hot dog.
Place + Verb + 着 + [Noun Phrase]
Start with a place to describe what is standing, lying, or located there, using existential patterns with 着 or 是.
桌子上放着一本书。
Zhuōzi shàng fàng zhe yì běn shū.
There is a book lying on the table.
想 + Verb + 就 + Verb
Use 想…就… to permit an action or express freedom of choice, including repeated question words for whatever and wherever.
想吃就吃。
Xiǎng chī jiù chī.
If you want to eat, help yourself.
Subject + 越来越 + adjective / Subject + 越来越 + mental-state verb
Show that a quality, quantity, or feeling is increasing as time goes on.
海边的小城越来越暖和了。
Hǎibiān de xiǎochéng yuè lái yuè nuǎnhuo le.
The small coastal town is getting warmer and warmer.
为了 + Purpose，Subject + Action; Subject + 为了 + Purpose + Action
Place 为了 before a goal or beneficiary to explain why an action is taken, and distinguish purpose from an existing cause.
为了钱，他什么都愿意做。
Wèile qián, tā shénme dōu yuànyì zuò.
He's willing to do anything for money.
除了 ⋯⋯ (+ 以外) ，Subj. + 都 / 也 / 还 ⋯⋯
Distinguish exclusion from addition with 除了…以外 by reading the following 都, 也, or 还 and the scope of the sentence.
除了他，我们都去过。
Chúle tā, wǒmen dōu qù guo.
Except for him, we've all been there.
如果 + condition / subject + 就 + action
Connect a possible situation with what you will do if it happens.
如果明天不下雨，我们就去散步。
Rúguǒ míngtiān bú xià yǔ, wǒmen jiù qù sànbù.
If it does not rain tomorrow, we will go for a walk.
如果⋯⋯ (的话) ，(就) ⋯⋯
Put a condition between 如果 and 的话, introduce its result with 就 when appropriate, and recognize shorter conditional forms.
如果明天下雨的话，我们就不去了。
Rúguǒ míngtiān xiàyǔ dehuà, wǒmen jiù bù qù le.
If it rains tomorrow, we won't go.
不但⋯⋯，而且⋯⋯
Link two related points with 不但…而且…, and adjust the position of 不但 when the clauses have different subjects.
这个东西不但贵， 而且难买。
Zhège dōngxi bùdàn guì, érqiě nán mǎi.
This thing is not only expensive, but also hard to buy.
一 + measure word + (noun) + 都 / 也 + 不 / 没 + predicate
Emphasize zero quantity or no occurrence with 一 + measure word and a negative predicate, often using 都 or 也.
他一句话都没说。
Tā yī jù huà dōu méi shuō.
He didn't say a thing.
Subject + 越 + predicate 1 + 越 + predicate 2; subject 1 + 越…，subject 2 + 越…
Link changing degrees with 越…越, using one or two subjects and negative predicates for the more…the less.
我们越想越生气。
Wǒmen yuè xiǎng yuè shēngqì.
The more we think about it, the angrier we get.
Question Word + 都 + Predicate
Use 谁, 哪儿, 什么时候, and other question words with 都 to make inclusive statements rather than ask questions.
谁都喜欢美食。
Shéi dōu xǐhuan měishí.
Everyone likes delicious food.
Clause containing 哪儿 / 谁 / 什么 / 什么时候 as an unspecified reference
Recognize indefinite uses of 哪儿, 谁, 什么, and 什么时候 when Chinese refers to an unspecified person, place, thing, or time.
这个人我在哪儿见过。
Zhège rén wǒ zài nǎr jiàn guo.
I've met this person somewhere before.
No matching construction. Try a shorter word or clear the search.
Choose words from the same level, read the full explanation and practise the patterns you find difficult.
Open the level 3 vocabulary list →Browse all Chinese grammar →The HSK 2.0 level labels retained with the reference lessons.
Each linked article retains its reference attribution. Chinese examples, teaching copy and exercise links come from the same Laowai grammar collection. Official HSK syllabus and sample questions.
