Chinese grammar / 21 topics
Prepositions and coverbs in Chinese grammar
Learn Chinese prepositions and coverbs through sentence patterns, rewritten explanations, pinyin and English examples. Browse 21 grammar topics.
从……到 cóng…dào
From…To… in Chinese with 从……到
Use 从……到 for starting and ending points in time or space, including date ranges, travel routes, and periods defined by events.
关于 guānyú
关于 (Guānyú): About, Regarding, and Topic Phrases
Use 关于 to introduce a topic or form a noun modifier with 的, and avoid adding it unnecessarily after Chinese verbs.
直到…才 zhídào…cái
直到…才: Not Until and Continuing Up to a Time
Express not until with 直到…才 and understand how 直到 with a negative clause describes a situation lasting to a boundary.
给 gěi
给 (Gěi) Before a Verb: Doing Something for Someone
Place 给 before the beneficiary of an action to describe services, favors, and things done for another person in Chinese.
为 wèi
为 (Wèi): Acting for Someone or Expressing Concern
Use 为 to identify who an action, feeling, or contribution is for, with common patterns for work, support, and concern.
不到 bùdào
不到 (Bùdào): Less Than an Amount or Before a Milestone
Use 不到 for quantities below a stated limit and combine it with 就 to emphasize that something happened sooner than expected.
向 xiàng
向 (Xiàng): Toward Someone, Asking, and Learning From
Use 向 for physical direction and for the person addressed in requests, apologies, reports, or learning from someone.
往 wǎng
往 (Wǎng): Directions, Destinations, and Continuing
Use 往 before directions and movement verbs, recognize formal verb + 往 phrases, and understand 往下 for continuing an activity.
在…上、在…下 zài…shàng, zài…xià
在…上, 在…下, and 在…方面: Abstract Chinese Frames
Discuss a topic, describe surrounding conditions, or name an aspect with the Chinese patterns 在…上, 在…下, and 在…方面.
对 duì
对 (Duì) with Verbs: Targets, Feelings, and Attitudes
Learn common 对 + target patterns for speaking to someone, showing an attitude, and expressing interest or responsibility.
以上、以下、以内、以外 yǐshàng, yǐxià, yǐnèi, yǐwài
以上, 以下, 以内, and 以外: Setting Chinese Limits
Define upper and lower bounds with 以上, 以下, 以内, and 以外, and make exact boundary inclusion clear from context.
随着 suízhe
随着 (Suízhe): Along With and Changes That Develop Together
Use 随着 before a movement, condition, or developing process to show another action or change accompanying it.
自从 zìcóng
自从 (Zìcóng): Ever Since a Starting Event in Chinese
Introduce a past starting point with 自从 and describe the changes or continuing situation that follow, sometimes with 以来.
对…而言 duì…éryán
对…而言 (Duì…Éryán): From Someone’s Point of View
Use 对…而言 to identify whose circumstances or perspective a comment applies to, as a more formal alternative to 对…来说.
在内 zài nèi
在内 (Zài Nèi): Including Items Within a Total or Group
Use 包括…在内 and related 在内 phrases to make clear which people, costs, or items belong inside a stated total.
凭 píng
凭 (Píng): On the Basis Of, By Virtue Of, and Evidence
Use 凭 before a credential, resource, or reason that enables an action or supports a judgment, and recognize challenging 凭什么 questions.
给 gěi
Passive 给 (Gěi): Colloquial Got-Done-To Patterns
Recognize 给 as a colloquial passive marker and its emphatic use alongside 被 when describing an affected participant.
至于 zhìyú
至于 (Zhìyú): As For and Turning to a Related Topic
Use 至于 to move from an established discussion to a related issue, followed by the comment or answer about that issue.
就…来说 jiù…láishuō
就 for Scope: Regarding a Topic and From One Aspect
Use 就 before a discussion topic or with 来说 and 而言 to limit the perspective or aspect covered by a comment.
趁 chèn
趁 (Chèn): Do Something While the Opportunity Lasts
Learn how 趁 introduces a useful opportunity or temporary situation, so an action happens while conditions are favorable.
鉴于 jiànyú
鉴于 (Jiànyú): In View Of or In Light Of
Introduce a considered circumstance with 鉴于, then state the decision, recommendation, or conclusion it supports.