The foundation of Chinese grammar · 15 grammar points
HSK 1 grammar covers the absolute fundamentals of Chinese sentence structure. At this level, you will learn how Chinese sentences are organized (SVO order), how to form basic questions and negations, and how to use essential particles and measure words. These 15 patterns form the foundation that all further Chinese grammar builds upon.
Word order and sentence patterns
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Question words and question patterns
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.
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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.
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也, 都, 才, 就, 又, 再, 还
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.
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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.
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了, 的, 地, 得, 吗, 呢, 吧, 啊
Counters and classifiers
在, 从, 到, 对, 给, 向, 跟
Fixed patterns and set phrases
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).
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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.
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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).
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了, 过, 着, 在, 正在, 将要
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