Chinese grammar / 486 topics
Chinese grammar · page 5
Find a sentence pattern, read how it works, and practise it with Chinese examples, pinyin and English translations.
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得 de
Describe how an action goes with 得
Say that someone speaks clearly, runs quickly, or does something especially well.
得 / 不 de / bu
Express a possible result with 得 and 不
Say whether a particular result or direction can be achieved under the circumstances.
把 bǎ
Say what happens to an object with 把
Put a specific object before the verb to explain what happens to it.
越来越 yuè lái yuè
Describe a growing change with 越来越
Show that a quality, quantity, or feeling is increasing as time goes on.
虽然 · 但是 suīrán · dànshì
Show contrast with 虽然…但是…
Acknowledge one fact, then explain what is unexpectedly true alongside it.
如果 · 就 rúguǒ · jiù
Make a conditional plan with 如果…就…
Connect a possible situation with what you will do if it happens.
极了 jí le
Extremely with Adjective + 极了 (Jí Le)
Use 极了 after adjectives for a very high degree, keep 了 in the construction, and distinguish degree emphasis from superlative ranking.
不怎么 bù zěnme
Not Very and Not Often with 不怎么 (Bù Zěnme)
Use 不怎么 for a limited degree with adjectives or mental predicates, and recognize its frequency meaning with suitable action verbs.
全 quán
The Whole and All with 全 (Quán) in Chinese
Use 全 before suitable group nouns or predicates, and distinguish 全都不 from 不全都 when expressing total versus partial negation.
形容词重叠 xíngróngcí chóngdié
Adjective Reduplication in Chinese: AA and AABB
Repeat suitable adjectives for vivid descriptions, recognize AA and AABB patterns, and distinguish descriptive repetition from verbs used for brief activities.
地 de
Describing How an Action Happens with 地 (De)
Place a manner phrase and 地 before a Chinese action verb, and distinguish this structure from noun modifiers with 的 and complements with 得.
正好 zhènghǎo
Just Right and Happen To with 正好 (Zhènghǎo)
Use 正好 for a coincidental match between events or for a degree, amount, size, or timing that is exactly suitable.
还 hái
Still in Chinese with 还、还在 and 还是
Express continuation with 还, ongoing actions with 还在, and persistence with 还是, including negatives for “still not” and “not yet.”
就是 jiùshì
Emphasis with 就是 (Jiùshì): Exactly and Simply
Use 就是 to identify precisely or insist on a statement, and recognize how context gives this emphasis a neutral, firm, or stubborn tone.
又 yòu
Emphasizing Negatives with 又不 and 又没
Use 又 before 不 or 没 to push back against an assumption, explain a denial, or question why a response is necessary in Chinese.
就要……了 jiùyào…le
About to and Countdown Expressions with 就要……了
Use 就要 with final 了 for approaching events in Chinese, and add an explicit remaining interval with 还有……就要……了.
原来 yuánlái
原来 (Yuánlái): Originally and It Turns Out
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.
一下子 yīxiàzi
All at Once and Suddenly with 一下子 (Yīxiàzi)
Use 一下子 before a predicate for a sudden change or quickly achieved result, and distinguish it from postverbal 一下 for a brief action.
差点 chàdiǎn
Almost Happened with 差点 (Chàdiǎn) in Chinese
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.
都……了 dōu…le
Emphatic Already with 都……了 in Chinese
Use 都 with final 了 to stress that a time, age, amount, or event has already been reached, often against an expectation.
从来都 cónglái dōu
Have Always with 从来都 (Cónglái Dōu) in Chinese
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.
结果 jiéguǒ
As a Result and Ended Up with 结果 (Jiéguǒ)
Use 结果 to introduce an outcome after its background, including consequences that follow logically or turn out differently from expectations.
没……了 méi…le
How Long Since an Action with Duration + 没……了
Say how long an action has not occurred by placing the elapsed period before 没 and ending the Chinese clause with 了.
互相 hùxiāng
Each Other in Chinese with 互相 (Hùxiāng)
Use 互相 before a suitable verb phrase for reciprocal actions, and distinguish mutual participation from several people acting in the same direction.
就 jiù
Earlier and Sooner Than Expected with 就 (Jiù)
Use 就 after a time expression for an early or prompt event, distinguish future “right away” from past earliness, and recognize 早就.
够 gòu
Enough with 够 (Gòu) Before and After Verbs
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.
终于 zhōngyú
Finally After a Wait with 终于 (Zhōngyú)
Use 终于 before a predicate for an outcome reached after waiting or difficulty, without treating 了 as mandatory in every sentence.
还是 háishì
A Considered Better Choice with 还是 (Háishì)
Use 还是 before an action to suggest a preferable choice after consideration, often with final 吧, and distinguish this use from choice questions.
最好 zuìhǎo
Had Better and It Is Best To with 最好 (Zuìhǎo)
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.
这样 zhèyàng
In This Way and In That Case with 这样 (Zhèyàng)
Use 这样 before actions for a manner of doing something, or introduce a consequence with 这样 or 这样的话 after describing a situation.
才 cái
Not Until and Later Than Expected with 才 (Cái)
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.
一……一…… yī…yī…
One by One and Gradually with Repeated 一 Phrases
Repeat 一 plus a classifier or time unit for individual sequence, gradual change, or repeated actions, including emphatic forms with 又.
就 jiù
Just and Only with 就 (Jiù) for Small Quantities
Use 就 to single out a person or limited quantity, distinguishing focus before a subject from restriction before a predicate or number phrase.
老是 lǎoshì
Always as a Complaint with 老是 (Lǎoshì)
Use 老是 or 老 before a predicate for recurring behavior, often with frustration, and distinguish this adverb from 老 describing age.
才 cái
Only a Small Amount with 才 (Cái) in Chinese
Use 才 before quantities or quantity-bearing actions to emphasize that an amount, age, price, or duration is smaller than expected.
也都 yě dōu
Also All with 也都 (Yě Dōu) in Chinese
Combine 也 and 都 in the order 也都 when a whole relevant group shares a previously mentioned action, state, or negative condition.
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