90 grammar points from HSK 1 through HSK 4, with clear explanations, examples, and common mistakes.
15 grammar points · Essential patterns for absolute beginners: sentence order, basic questions, negation, and simple expressions.
基本语序
Chinese follows Subject-Verb-Object word order, similar to English. However, time and place expressions always come before the verb, not after.
吗 question particle
Add the particle 吗 (ma) to the end of any statement to turn it into a yes/no question. No change in word order is needed.
不 negation
不 (bù) is placed before a verb or adjective to negate it. It expresses habitual negation, present states, and refusal. It cannot be used with 有.
没/没有
没 (méi) or 没有 (méiyǒu) negates past actions and the verb 有. Use 没 for things that did not happen; use 不 for things you choose not to do or states.
很 + adjective
In Chinese, adjectives function as verbs and do not need 是. Use 很 (hěn) before an adjective in a simple statement to create a natural-sounding sentence.
的 possessive
The particle 的 (de) indicates possession, similar to "'s" in English or "of." It connects a possessor to the thing possessed: 我的书 (my book).
量词
Chinese requires a measure word (classifier) between a number and a noun. 个 (gè) is the most common and works as a default for people and many objects.
时间词语
Time expressions in Chinese are placed either at the very beginning of a sentence or right after the subject — always before the verb, never after it.
在 + place
在 (zài) means "at/in/on" and is used to indicate location. It is placed before the verb to show where an action takes place, or with 在 as the main verb to say where something is.
想 + verb
想 (xiǎng) means "want to" or "would like to" and is placed directly before a verb. It expresses desire or intention and is softer and more polite than 要 (yào).
会 + verb
会 (huì) means "can" in the sense of having learned a skill. It is used for abilities acquired through learning or practice, such as speaking a language or playing an instrument.
动态助词了
The particle 了 (le) placed after a verb indicates that an action has been completed. It is not exactly "past tense" — it marks completion regardless of when it happened.
数量词
When counting or specifying quantities in Chinese, the pattern is always Number + Measure Word + Noun. The number 二 changes to 两 (liǎng) before measure words.
疑问代词
Chinese question words (什么 "what," 谁 "who," 哪 "which," 哪儿 "where") stay in the same position as the answer would. Unlike English, there is no word order change.
这/那
这 (zhè) means "this" and 那 (nà) means "that." Both require a measure word before the noun: 这个人 (this person), 那本书 (that book).
20 grammar points · Intermediate patterns: comparisons, conjunctions, complements, and more complex sentence structures.
比 comparison
比 (bǐ) is used to compare two things directly, stating that A is more [adjective] than B. It is the most common comparison structure in Mandarin.
因为...所以
因为...所以 (yīnwèi...suǒyǐ) connects a cause and its result, meaning "because...therefore." In spoken Chinese, you can use either half alone.
虽然...但是
虽然...但是 (suīrán...dànshì) means "although...but" and is used to express contrast or concession. Unlike English, Chinese uses BOTH halves.
动态助词过
The particle 过 (guo) after a verb indicates that someone has had the experience of doing something at some point in the past. It focuses on whether the action has ever happened, not when.
正在 + verb
正在 (zhèngzài) or 在 (zài) before a verb indicates an action in progress, equivalent to English "-ing." Adding 呢 (ne) at the end reinforces the ongoing nature.
时量补语
A duration complement tells how long an action lasts. It is placed after the verb, and when the verb has an object, the verb is often repeated or the duration goes between the verb and object.
结果补语
A resultative complement is a word placed right after a verb to describe the result or outcome of that action. Common examples include 完 (finished), 到 (successfully reached), 好 (done well), and 错 (wrong).
来/去 direction
来 (lái, come) and 去 (qù, go) are placed after verbs of motion to indicate direction — toward the speaker (来) or away from the speaker (去).
得 + description
The particle 得 (de) after a verb introduces a description of how the action is performed or the degree to which it is done. It answers "how well" or "to what extent."
越来越
越来越 (yuèláiyuè) means "more and more" and is placed before an adjective or verb to indicate a growing trend or increasing degree.
跟...一样
跟...一样 (gēn...yíyàng) means "the same as" and is used to say two things are equal or similar. You can add an adjective after 一样 to specify what quality they share.
从...到
从...到 (cóng...dào) means "from...to" and is used for both time ranges (from Monday to Friday) and spatial ranges (from Beijing to Shanghai).
对 + object
对 (duì) is a preposition meaning "towards," "to," or "about." It indicates the target of an action, feeling, or attitude and appears in many common phrases.
给 + person
给 (gěi) means "to give" as a verb, but it also functions as a preposition meaning "for" or "to," indicating the recipient or beneficiary of an action.
不...不...
Using 不 twice in a sentence creates emphasis, either through a "not A, not B" pattern to stress thoroughness, or through double negation to create a strong affirmative ("can't not" = "must").
吧 suggestion
The particle 吧 (ba) at the end of a sentence softens it into a suggestion, request, or assumption. It turns commands into friendly proposals and statements into guesses.
也/都
也 (yě) means "also/too" and 都 (dōu) means "all/both." They are placed before the verb and are among the most frequently used adverbs in Chinese.
就/才
就 (jiù) and 才 (cái) both indicate sequence or timing, but with opposite feelings: 就 implies "sooner/easier than expected," while 才 implies "later/harder than expected."
呢 particle
The particle 呢 (ne) at the end of a sentence asks reciprocal questions ("And you?"), indicates an action is ongoing, or adds a sense of emphasis and wonder.
能/可以
能 (néng) and 可以 (kěyǐ) both translate to "can" in English, but 能 emphasizes ability or capacity, while 可以 emphasizes permission. Understanding when to use which is essential.
25 grammar points · Advanced patterns: 把 and 被 constructions, compound complements, and nuanced conjunctions.
把字句
The 把 (bǎ) construction moves the object before the verb to emphasize what happens to it. It is used when the action causes a definite change, movement, or result to the object.
被字句
The 被 (bèi) construction expresses the passive voice in Chinese: "X was done by someone." It often carries a negative or undesirable connotation, though modern usage is becoming more neutral.
是...的
The 是...的 construction highlights specific details (time, place, manner, purpose) about an action that already happened. It answers "when / where / how / why did you do it?"
复合趋向补语
Compound directional complements combine a directional verb (上, 下, 进, 出, 回, 过, 起) with 来 or 去 to indicate the direction of an action relative to the speaker.
可能补语
Potential complements use 得 (able) or 不 (unable) between a verb and its complement to express whether an action can or cannot achieve a result. "Can you finish eating it?" becomes 吃得完吗？
除了...以外
除了 (chúle) means either "except" or "besides/in addition to," depending on whether it pairs with 以外...都 (excluding) or 以外...也/还 (including). Context determines the meaning.
不但...而且
不但...而且 (bùdàn...érqiě) connects two clauses to express "not only X, but also Y." It emphasizes that the second point goes beyond the first, adding intensity or surprise.
一...就
一...就 (yī...jiù) means "as soon as A happens, B follows." It expresses an immediate or automatic connection between two events.
连...都/也
连...都/也 (lián...dōu/yě) means "even" and is used to emphasize an extreme or surprising case. "Even a child knows this" = 连小孩都知道.
无论...都
无论 (wúlùn) or 不管 (bùguǎn) means "regardless of / no matter what." They pair with 都 or 也 in the second clause to express that the result stays the same under all conditions.
语气助词了
Sentence-final 了 indicates a change of state or a new situation. It does not mark past tense — it signals that something is now different from before. "I'm hungry now" = 我饿了.
着
着 (zhe) attaches to a verb to indicate a continuing state or posture. It describes the result of an action being maintained, such as "the door is open" (门开着) or "she's wearing a hat" (她戴着帽子).
又/再
又 (yòu) and 再 (zài) both mean "again," but 又 refers to something that has already happened again, while 再 refers to something that will happen again in the future.
还
还 (hái) has two main meanings: "still" (a situation continues) and "also / in addition" (adding extra information). It goes before the verb or adjective it modifies.
向 + direction
向 (xiàng) means "towards" or "in the direction of." It indicates the direction of a physical movement or the target of an action, such as asking, learning from, or looking toward someone.
根据
根据 (gēnjù) means "according to" or "based on." It introduces the source, basis, or evidence for a statement or decision.
高级量词
Beyond the basic 个, Chinese uses specific measure words for different categories of objects: 条 for long/thin things, 张 for flat things, 把 for things with handles, and 双 for pairs.
是 for emphasis
Beyond its basic meaning of "to be," 是 (shì) can be placed before a verb or adjective to add emphasis, similar to "do/does" in English: "I DO like it" = 我是喜欢的.
话题句
Chinese is a topic-prominent language. The topic (what the sentence is about) goes first, followed by a comment (what you say about it). This differs from English subject-verb patterns.
有字句
Existential 有 sentences describe what exists at a location. The pattern is Place + 有 + Something, equivalent to "There is/are..." in English. The thing that exists is always indefinite.
必须/得
必须 (bìxū) and 得 (děi) both express "must," but 必须 is formal and emphasizes obligation or rules, while 得 is colloquial and expresses practical necessity.
难道...吗
难道 (nándào) introduces a rhetorical question — one where the speaker already knows the answer and wants to express disbelief, challenge, or emphasis. "Don't tell me..." / "Surely not..."
只有...才
只有...才 (zhǐyǒu...cái) expresses "only if / only when." It emphasizes that one specific condition is the sole way to achieve a result. Without that condition, the result cannot happen.
先...再
先...再/然后 (xiān...zài/ránhòu) sequences two actions: "first do A, then do B." 先...再 is for plans and suggestions; 先...然后 works for both plans and past narratives.
只要...就
只要...就 (zhǐyào...jiù) means "as long as / if only." It expresses a sufficient condition: if this one thing is met, the result will follow. It is less demanding than 只有...才.
30 grammar points · Complex patterns: advanced conjunctions, rhetorical expressions, and sophisticated sentence structures.
复杂补语
Complex complement chains combine multiple complements after a verb to express result, direction, and degree in a single predicate.
即使...也
The pattern 即使...也 expresses a concessive meaning: even if a hypothetical or extreme condition is true, the result in the main clause still holds.
直到...才
The pattern 直到...才 means "not until (a certain point in time or condition) does something happen," emphasizing that the action occurs late or only after a long wait.
别说...就是
The pattern 别说...就是 means "let alone" or "not to mention," used to emphasize that if even the easier or more extreme case is already the way it is, then the other case goes without saying.
据说
据说 means "it is said that" or "reportedly," used to introduce information the speaker has heard from others but cannot personally verify.
恐怕
恐怕 expresses the speaker's worry, concern, or cautious estimation that something undesirable might be the case or might happen.
不管...都
不管...都/也 means "no matter what/how/whether," expressing that the result remains the same regardless of any condition.
否则
否则 means "otherwise" or "or else," connecting a condition or instruction with a negative consequence that would follow if the condition is not met.
一方面...另一方面
一方面...另一方面 presents two sides, aspects, or reasons of a situation, similar to "on one hand...on the other hand" in English.
毕竟
毕竟 means "after all" or "when all is said and done," used to remind the listener of an undeniable fact that should be considered when making a judgment.
看起来
看起来 means "it looks like" or "apparently," used to express a judgment based on outward appearance or first impressions that may not reflect the full truth.
adjective + 极了
极了 is a degree complement placed after an adjective to mean "extremely" or "to the utmost degree," expressing a very high intensity of the quality described.
叫/让 passive
叫 and 让 can be used to form passive sentences, similar to 被, but with a more colloquial and spoken tone, often implying that the event was undesirable or beyond the subject's control.
兼语句
A pivotal sentence has a noun that serves as both the object of the first verb and the subject of the second verb, creating a compact two-action structure.
连动句
A serial verb construction uses two or more verb phrases in sequence with a single subject, where the actions occur in order, express purpose, or describe manner.
像...一样
The pattern 像...一样 expresses that something is similar to or the same as something else, equivalent to "like" or "as...as" in English.
越...越
The pattern 越...越 expresses that as one thing increases or changes, another thing correspondingly increases or changes — "the more X, the more Y."
相比
相比 means "compared with" and is used to introduce a formal comparison between two items, people, or situations, followed by a statement about the difference.
倍/分之
Chinese uses 倍 for multiples (twice, three times, etc.) and 分之 for fractions and percentages, essential for expressing numerical relationships.
为了
为了 means "in order to" or "for the sake of," used to express the purpose or goal behind an action.
通过
The preposition 通过 (tōngguò) means "through" or "by means of" and is used to describe the method or channel through which something is accomplished.
另外
另外 (lìngwài) means "in addition" or "besides" and is used to introduce additional information or points to a discussion.
于是
于是 (yúshì) means "consequently," "thereupon," or "so" and connects a cause or situation with its natural result or next action, often used in narrative contexts.
竟然
The adverb 竟然 (jìngrán) means "unexpectedly" or "to one's surprise" and expresses that something happened contrary to expectations, often conveying surprise or disbelief.
到底
The adverb 到底 (dàodǐ) means "on earth," "after all," or "in the end" and is used in questions to press for a definitive answer or in statements to indicate a final outcome.
果然
The adverb 果然 (guǒrán) means "as expected," "sure enough," or "indeed" and confirms that something happened exactly as predicted or anticipated.
几乎
The adverb 几乎 (jīhū) means "almost," "nearly," or "practically" and indicates that something is very close to being complete, true, or happening.
差不多
差不多 (chàbuduō) means "more or less," "almost," or "about the same" and is one of the most useful conversational expressions in Chinese for indicating approximate similarity or quantity.
以便
以便 (yǐbiàn) means "in order to," "so as to," or "so that" and is a formal conjunction used to express purpose, typically in written or official Chinese.
宁可...也不
The pattern 宁可...也不... (nìngkě...yě bù...) means "would rather...than..." and expresses a strong preference, choosing one option even if it involves hardship, rather than accepting an undesirable alternative.
Word order and sentence patterns
12 grammar points
了, 的, 地, 得, 吗, 呢, 吧, 啊
4 grammar points
Resultative, directional, degree, potential
8 grammar points
Fixed patterns and set phrases
15 grammar points
Question words and question patterns
3 grammar points
比, 没有, 跟...一样, 越来越
6 grammar points
Connecting clauses and complex sentences
17 grammar points
了, 过, 着, 在, 正在, 将要
4 grammar points
在, 从, 到, 对, 给, 向, 跟
8 grammar points
也, 都, 才, 就, 又, 再, 还
11 grammar points
Counters and classifiers
2 grammar points
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