Connect ideas clearly.
Compare viewpoints, qualify a statement and explain how events relate. Study the whole construction, including the words on either side of its connector.
67 grammar topics with examples and practice.
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.
Study this construction →67 topics
全 + Noun
Use 全 before suitable group nouns or predicates, and distinguish 全都不 from 不全都 when expressing total versus partial negation.
我们全家都去过北京。
Wǒmen quán jiā dōu qù guo Běijīng.
Our entire family has been to Beijing.
Subj. + 正好 + Verb Phrase
Use 正好 for a coincidental match between events or for a degree, amount, size, or timing that is exactly suitable.
我正好要出去，垃圾我来扔吧。
Wǒ zhènghǎo yào chūqù, lājī wǒ lái rēng ba.
I'm just about to leave. I'll take out the trash.
Former state with 原来(的) / New information with 原来
Distinguish 原来 for an earlier state from 原来 introducing a realization, and use 原来的 before a noun to describe something former or original.
你原来的发型也很可爱。
Nǐ yuánlái de fàxíng yě hěn kě'ài.
Your original hairstyle was also very cute.
Subj. + 差点 + Predicate
Use 差点 or 差点儿 before a predicate for an outcome that nearly occurred, and recognize why forms containing 没 need separate interpretation.
车差点撞到我。
Chē chàdiǎn zhuàngdào wǒ.
The car almost hit me.
从来 + 都 (是) + Predicate
Use affirmative 从来都 to describe a consistent pattern across the relevant period, and contrast it with the negative 从来不 and 从来没 patterns.
他从来都这样。
Tā cónglái dōu zhèyàng.
He's always like this.
Reason / Condition ，结果 + Result
Use 结果 to introduce an outcome after its background, including consequences that follow logically or turn out differently from expectations.
她穿得很少， 结果感冒了。
Tā chuān de hěn shǎo, jiéguǒ gǎnmào le.
She didn't dress warmly enough, and as a result, she caught a cold.
互相 + Verb Phrase
Use 互相 before a suitable verb phrase for reciprocal actions, and distinguish mutual participation from several people acting in the same direction.
互相帮助
hùxiāng bāngzhù
Help each other
Subj. + 够 + Predicate (+ 了)
Use 够 for a sufficient amount or degree, form negatives with 不够, and recognize postverbal patterns meaning having done enough or being fed up.
我们买了很多菜， 够吃了。
Wǒmen mǎi le hěn duō cài, gòu chī le.
We bought a lot of food. It's enough for us to eat.
还是 + Verb
Use 还是 before an action to suggest a preferable choice after consideration, often with final 吧, and distinguish this use from choice questions.
还是明天去吧。
Háishì míngtiān qù ba.
We'd better go tomorrow.
Subj. + 最好 + Predicate
Use 最好 before a recommended action, form advice against an action with 最好不要 or 最好别, and read its strength from context.
你最好先休息一下。
Nǐ zuìhǎo xiān xiūxi yīxià.
You'd better get some rest first.
也都 + Verb / Adj.
Combine 也 and 都 in the order 也都 when a whole relevant group shares a previously mentioned action, state, or negative condition.
我很好，我的家人也都很好。
Wǒ hěn hǎo, wǒ de jiārén yě dōu hěn hǎo.
I'm good. So is everyone in my family.
挺 + Adj. + 的
Use 挺 before adjectives or suitable mental predicates for conversational degree, often followed by 的 at the end of the descriptive phrase.
这个老师挺年轻的。
Zhège lǎoshī tǐng niánqīng de.
This teacher is quite young.
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.
又 + 不 / 没 + Verb
Use 又 before 不 or 没 to push back against an assumption, explain a denial, or question why a response is necessary in Chinese.
问我干吗？我又不知道。
Wèn wǒ gànmá? Wǒ yòu bù zhīdào.
Why ask me? I definitely don't know.
就 + Subject + Predicate
Use 就 to single out a person or limited quantity, distinguishing focus before a subject from restriction before a predicate or number phrase.
这件事就我知道。
Zhè jiàn shì jiù wǒ zhīdào.
I'm the only person that knows about this.
Denominator + 分之 + Numerator
Read and form Chinese fractions with the denominator first, and express percentages and proportions using 分之.
我的手机电量只有百分之五了。
Wǒ de shǒujī diànliàng zhǐ yǒu bǎi fēn zhī wǔ le.
My phone only has 5% power left.
Noun 1, Noun 2 + 什么的
End an informal Chinese list with 什么的 when similar items are understood, including a single illustrative item or a series of activities.
我奶奶不吃肉，只吃蔬菜、豆腐什么的。
Wǒ nǎinai bù chī ròu, zhǐ chī shūcài, dòufu shénme de.
My grandma doesn't eat meat. She only eats vegetables, tofu, and so on.
⋯⋯ 等 / 等等
Use 等 or 等等 after examples in a Chinese list, understand the role of a following category noun, and distinguish these endings from casual 什么的.
西瓜、菠萝、葡萄等等，我都喜欢吃。
Xīguā, bōluó, pútao, děngděng, wǒ dōu xǐhuan chī.
Watermelons, pineapples, grapes, and so on... I like them all.
Statement + 嘛
Use sentence-final 嘛 to explain an obvious point, offer reassurance, or add insistence, and distinguish it from 吗.
你妹妹很漂亮嘛。
Nǐ mèimei hěn piàoliang ma.
Your sister is obviously pretty.
⋯⋯的
Understand how 的 at the end of a statement expresses confidence, including common reassuring sentences with 会.
他会好的。
Tā huì hǎo de.
He will get better.
⋯⋯ ，不过 ⋯⋯
Use 不过 to introduce a qualification or contrasting point after a statement, while recognizing that tone and context determine how strong the contrast feels.
这件衣服我很喜欢， 不过有点贵。
Zhè jiàn yīfu wǒ hěn xǐhuan, bùguò yǒudiǎn guì.
I like this piece of clothing, but it's a little bit expensive.
Reason / Situation，要不 + Suggestion + 吧
Use 要不 to propose an option in conversation, often with final 吧, and distinguish this suggestion use from 要不 meaning “otherwise.”
大家都有点累了， 要不休息一会儿吧。
Dàjiā dōu yǒudiǎn lèi le, yàobù xiūxi yīhuìr ba.
Everyone is a little tired. Let's rest for a while.
⋯⋯ ，还有 ，⋯⋯
Use 还有 to introduce another point or reminder in a conversation, and distinguish the connector from a literal statement that something else exists.
你需要吃药。 还有，要多休息。
Nǐ xūyào chī yào. Háiyǒu, yào duō xiūxi.
You need to take medicine. Also, you should get more rest.
⋯⋯ ，另外 ，⋯⋯
Use 另外 to introduce an additional point or modify an action done separately or extra, with 还 or 也 often reinforcing addition.
这个课文太难了，我不想学。 另外，我也没准备。
Zhège kèwén tài nán le, wǒ bù xiǎng xué. Lìngwài, wǒ yě méi zhǔnbèi.
This lesson is too difficult and I don't want to read it. Besides, I didn't prepare for it.
⋯⋯ ，再说 ，⋯⋯
Use 再说 at the start of a supporting clause to add another reason for a decision or judgment, rather than translating it literally as “say again.”
这么晚，别走了。 再说，外面正在下雪。
Zhème wǎn, bié zǒu le. Zàishuō, wàimiàn zhèngzài xiàxuě.
It's so late. Stay. Besides, it's snowing outside.
通过 / 用 + Method + 来 + Verb Phrase
Learn how 来 connects a tool or method to its purpose, including common Chinese patterns with 用 and 通过.
用这种方法来赚钱，真丢人。
Yòng zhè zhǒng fāngfǎ lái zhuànqián, zhēn diūrén.
It's shameful to earn money in this way.
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.
Time / Event + 以来 ，⋯⋯
Express an ongoing period with 以来 after a starting event, and use 来 after a duration to mean over the past period.
今年八月以来，这里一直没下过雨。
Jīnnián Bāyuè yǐlái, zhèlǐ yīzhí méi xià guo yǔ.
It hasn't rained since August of this year.
所有 (+ 的) + Noun
Build noun phrases with 所有, combine them with 都, and distinguish not all from none when placing the negative.
你买了她所有的书？
Nǐ mǎi le tā suǒyǒu de shū?
You've bought all her books?
Subject + 是 + Group Noun Phrase + 之一
Use 之一 after a group noun phrase to identify one member, including one of the best and one of the reasons.
她是我最好的朋友之一。
Tā shì wǒ zuì hǎo de péngyou zhī yī.
She is one of my best friends.
另 / 另外 + Number + [Measure Word] + Noun
Use 另 or 另外 before a quantity phrase to identify another item or the remaining members of a known group.
我有两个手机，一个是小米， 另一个是 iPhone。
Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè shǒujī, yī gè shì Xiǎomǐ, lìng yī gè shì iPhone.
I have two cell phones. One is a Xiaomi, and the other is an iPhone.
Subject + 知道 / 明白 / 能告诉… + Embedded Question + 吗？
See why 吗 can appear with 什么, 谁, or 哪里 when the question word belongs inside a larger yes-no question.
这是什么？
Zhè shì shénme?
What is this?
Subject + 为 + Person / Group / Cause + Predicate
Use 为 to identify who an action, feeling, or contribution is for, with common patterns for work, support, and concern.
我们都为你高兴。
Wǒmen dōu wèi nǐ gāoxìng.
We are all happy for you.
在 + Topic + 上 ，Subj. ⋯⋯
Discuss a topic, describe surrounding conditions, or name an aspect with the Chinese patterns 在…上, 在…下, and 在…方面.
在这个问题上，我们的看法是一样的。
Zài zhège wèntí shàng, wǒmen de kànfǎ shì yīyàng de.
In regards to this problem, our opinions are the same.
这 / 那 + 要看 / 得看 + Unclear Situation
Explain what a decision depends on with 要看 or 得看, from short answers to full sentences about uncertain outcomes.
这得看你的时间。
Zhè děi kàn nǐ de shíjiān.
This depends on when you are available.
好像⋯⋯
Use 好像 before a description or clause to express an impression, uncertainty, or a conclusion that is not fully confirmed.
他好像是英国人。
Tā hǎoxiàng shì Yīngguó rén.
He seems to be British.
Subj. + 以为⋯⋯
Express mistaken assumptions with 以为 and understand its use in corrections, surprises, and warnings about what someone believes.
我以为他是德国人。
Wǒ yǐwéi tā shì Déguó rén.
I thought he was German.
通过 + Agent / Method ，⋯⋯
Understand 通过 as a verb meaning pass and as a preposition introducing the channel or method used to achieve a result.
从我家到那儿要通过两座桥。
Cóng wǒ jiā dào nàr yào tōngguò liǎng zuò qiáo.
To get there from my house, you have to cross two bridges.
Subject + 来自 + Place / Source
Use 来自 to say where people and things originate, and to identify the source of an idea, suggestion, or influence.
我来自中国。
Wǒ láizì Zhōngguó.
I come from China.
Subject + (不 +) 算 + Noun / Description (+ 的)
Use 算 with nouns and descriptions to assess whether something qualifies, and recognize the more qualified tone of 算是.
她算天才。
Tā suàn tiāncái.
She is considered a genius.
(让 +) Subj. + 来
Use 来 as a stand-in for an understood task when offering to act, assigning a turn, or asking someone to try.
你来！
Nǐ lái!
You do it!
少 + Verb
Place 少 before an action to suggest doing less, reducing an amount, or cutting back on a habit in Chinese.
请少放点盐。
Qǐng shǎo fàng diǎn yán.
Use less salt, please.
多 + Verb
Use 多 before an action to recommend a greater amount or frequency, with common patterns using 点 and 一点.
多吃点。
Duō chī diǎn.
Eat a little more.
(一直 +) Verb + 到 + Time / Event; Verb + Object + Verb + 到 + Endpoint
Mark an action’s endpoint with verb + 到, and learn when to repeat a verb that already has an object.
你们要玩到几点？
Nǐmen yào wán dào jǐ diǎn?
When will you be done playing?
Separable verb: Verb … [other material] … Object
Understand separable Chinese verbs, including where aspect markers and counted actions go and how to introduce another participant.
我没有时间见面。
Wǒ méiyǒu shíjiān jiànmiàn.
I don't have time to meet.
Subj. + 不用 + Verb Phrase
Use 不用 before a verb to remove a necessity, offer reassurance, or explain an exemption, and distinguish it from 不要.
不用谢。
Bùyòng xiè.
You don't need to thank me.
Subject + 得 + Verb Phrase
Express practical necessity with 得 pronounced děi, and distinguish this modal verb from the complement particle de.
我们得走了。
Wǒmen děi zǒu le.
We have to leave now.
Verb + 起来
Understand literal and extended uses of 起来 after verbs, including upward motion, an action beginning, and sensory impressions.
请大家站起来。
Qǐng dàjiā zhàn qǐlái.
Everyone, please stand up.
连 + Subj. + 都 (+ 不 / 没) + Verb
Highlight an unexpected person, thing, or event with 连…都…, including correct placement when the focused phrase is an object.
这个问题太简单了， 连三岁小孩都知道。
Zhège wèntí tài jiǎndān le, lián sān suì xiǎohái dōu zhīdào.
This question is so easy that even a three-year-old kid knows the answer.
Noun 1 + 是 + Noun 2 + 的 + Number + 倍
Express ratios with 是…的…倍 and distinguish a total multiple from an increase described with a comparative adjective.
他现在的工资是两年前的四倍。
Tā xiànzài de gōngzī shì liǎng nián qián de sì bèi.
His current salary is four times what it was two years ago.
Subj. + 一点 + 也 / 都 + 不 + Adj.
Strengthen a negative description with 一点也不 or 一点都不, including feelings and attitudes as well as adjectives.
那个问题一点儿也不难。
Nàge wèntí yīdiǎnr yě bù nán.
That question isn't difficult at all.
Subject + 不知道 + Embedded Question + (才 +) 好
Express indecision with 不知道…好, using an embedded question and optional 才 to ask what action would be appropriate.
我真的不知道怎么办才好。
Wǒ zhēnde bù zhīdào zěnme bàn cái hǎo.
I really don't know what to do about this.
对 + Person + 来说 / 一般 来说
Frame a comment with 对…来说 or a familiar 来说 phrase to identify a perspective or the scope of a generalization.
对我来说， 中文不容易。
Duì wǒ lái shuō, Zhōngwén bù róngyì.
For me, Chinese is not easy.
Subj. + 一 + Event 1，就 + Event 2
Connect a trigger to an immediate result with 一…就…, for single events, future plans, and habitual reactions.
饿死了，我一下课就要去吃午饭。
È sǐ le, wǒ yī xiàkè jiù yào qù chī wǔfàn.
I'm starving. I'm going to have lunch as soon as class is over.
老师一来大家就不说话了。
Lǎoshī yī lái dàjiā jiù bù shuōhuà le.
As soon as the teacher came, everyone stopped talking.
Reason ，怪不得 / 难怪 + Observation
Connect a newly understood reason with an observation using 怪不得 or 难怪, including explanations introduced by 原来.
小张请假了， 怪不得今天没有看到他。
Xiǎo Zhāng qǐngjià le, guàibude jīntiān méiyǒu kàndào tā.
Little Zhang asked for vacation time, no wonder I haven't seen him today.
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.
一方面 + Aspect A，(另)一方面 + Aspect B
Organize two aspects of a situation with 一方面 and 另一方面, whether the points support each other or pull in different directions.
自己做饭一方面健康， 一方面还能省点钱。
Zìjǐ zuòfàn yī fāngmiàn jiànkāng, yī fāngmiàn hái néng shěng diǎn qián.
On one hand, cooking for yourself is healthy; on the other hand, it can also help to save some money.
Subject + 常常 / 经常 + Verb Phrase
Compare 常常 and 经常 as frequency adverbs, including ordinary word order, negation, and 经常 in modifier expressions.
我常常收到垃圾短信。
Wǒ chángcháng shōudào lājī duǎnxìn.
I often receive spam texts.
人家 vs. 别人
Compare 人家 and 别人 for others, and recognize 人家 as a context-dependent reference to a specific person or the speaker.
我不在乎人家怎么说。
Wǒ bù zàihu rénjia zěnme shuō.
I don't care about what other people say.
离 vs. 从
Use 离 to measure separation and 从 to introduce a starting point or source in space, time, and other relationships.
从下个月起，公司会越来越忙。
Cóng xiàge yuè qǐ, gōngsī huì yuèláiyuè máng.
Starting from next month, the company will be busier and busier.
以后 vs 的时候
Choose 以后 for a later stage and 的时候 for the time of an event or state, even when English uses when for both.
下飞机以后给我打电话。
Xià fēijī yǐhòu gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà
Give me a call after you get off the plane.
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.
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Choose words from the same level, read the full explanation and practise the patterns you find difficult.
Open the level 4 vocabulary list →Browse all Chinese grammar →Laowai's teaching crosswalk to the 2021 proficiency framework. Vocabulary links use the 2025 examination lists; the grammar selections are study guides, not the official 2025 syllabus.
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