CHINESE GRAMMAR

1- CHINESE LETTERS

Chinese does not have an alphabet like other languages, instead chinese uses characters that usually represent a syllable and has its own meaning

1- LEARN PINYIN (THE PRONOUNCIATION SYSTEM)

b -> "b" in bat (unaspirated)

p -> "p" in pat (strong puff of air)

m -> m

f -> f

d -> d

t -> t

n -> n

l -> l

g -> g

k -> k

h -> like the "ch" in German Bach

j -> between "j" and "ch"

q -> like "ch" in cheese, but lighter

x -> like "sh" with the tongue farther forward

zh -> like "j" in judge

ch -> like "ch" in church

sh -> sh

r -> similar to the English "r" but you move your tongue up without hitting the roof of your mouth

z -> like "ds" in beds

c -> like "ts" with a puff of air

s -> s

y -> y

w -> w

VOWEL COMBINATIONS

a → "ah"

o → "or" (short)

e → "uh"

i → "ee"

u → "oo"

ü → To pronounce it, say ee as in "see" and then say "oo" as in food. do it fast

ai → "eye"

ei → like "ay"

ao → like "ow"

ou → like "oh"

an → "ahn"

ang → "ahng"

en → "un"

eng → "ung"

ong → "ong"

2- LEARN THE FOUR TONES

First: mā 妈 (High)

Second: má 麻 (High a little bit)

Third: mǎ 马 (Rising)

Fourth: mà 骂 (Rising a little bit)

Neutral: ma 吗 (Doesn't rise)

2- WORD ORDER

1 Basic S + V S + V 我睡觉。 wǒ shuìjiào I sleep.

2 Direct object S + V + DO S + V + DO 我看书。 wǒ kàn shū I read the book.

3 Indirect object S + 给 + IO + DO S + gěi + IO + DO 我给他一本书。 wǒ gěi tā yì běn shū I give him a book.

4 Beneficiary S + 为 + Person + V S + wèi + Person + V 我为他买一本书。 wǒ wèi tā mǎi yì běn shū I buy a book for him.

5 IO pronoun S + 给 + IO + DO S + gěi + IO + DO 我给他一本书。 wǒ gěi tā yì běn shū I give him a book.

6 Adjective S + Adj S + Adj 这本书很大。 zhè běn shū hěn dà This book is big.

7 Adverb S + Adv + V S + Adv + V 他快速地看书。 tā kuàisù de kàn shū He reads quickly.

8 DO + adverb S + DO + V + 得 + Adv S + DO + V + de + Adv 我看这本书看得很快。 wǒ kàn zhè běn shū kàn de hěn kuài I read the book quickly.

9 Time S + Time + V S + Time + V 我今天上班。 wǒ jīntiān shàngbān I work today.

10 Place S + 在 + Place + V S + zài + Place + V 他住在那里。 tā zhù zài nàlǐ He lives there.

11 Prepositional phrase N + 在 + Location N + zài + Location 这本书在桌子上。 zhè běn shū zài zhuōzi shàng The book is on the table.

12 DO + location S + 把 + DO + V + 在 + Location S + bǎ + DO + V + zài + Location 我把书放在桌子上。 wǒ bǎ shū fàng zài zhuōzi shàng I put the book on the table.

13 Determiner + noun Det + CL + N Det + CL + N 这本书是新的。 zhè běn shū shì xīn de This book is new.

14 Det + adjective + noun Det + CL + Adj + N Det + CL + Adj + N 这本大书是新的。 zhè běn dà shū shì xīn de This big book is new.

15 Numeral + noun Num + CL + N Num + CL + N 两本书是新的。 liǎng běn shū shì xīn de Two books are new.

16 Conjunction Clause + 和/而且 + Clause Clause + hé/érqiě + Clause 我看书，而且他写信。 wǒ kàn shū, érqiě tā xiě xìn I read a book, and he writes a letter.

17 Conjunction + sequence Clause + 然后 + Clause Clause + ránhòu + Clause 我看书，然后他写信。 wǒ kàn shū, ránhòu tā xiě xìn I read the book, and then he writes a letter.

18 Present passive DO + 被 + Agent + V DO + bèi + Agent + V 这本书被人看。 zhè běn shū bèi rén kàn The book is read.

19 Passive + agent DO + 被 + Agent + V DO + bèi + Agent + V 这本书被他看。 zhè běn shū bèi tā kàn The book is read by him.

20 Passive + IO DO + 被 + Agent + V + 给 + IO DO + bèi + Agent + V + gěi + IO 这本书被老师给了他。 zhè běn shū bèi lǎoshī gěi le tā The book was given to him by the teacher.

21 Passive + IO + agent DO + 被 + Agent + V + 给 + IO DO + bèi + Agent + V + gěi + IO 这本书被老师给了学生。 zhè běn shū bèi lǎoshī gěi le xuéshēng The book was given to the student by the teacher.

22 Passive + adverb DO + Time + 被 + Agent + V DO + Time + bèi + Agent + V 这本书今天被他看。 zhè běn shū jīntiān bèi tā kàn The book is read by him today.

23 Passive + location DO + 被 + Agent + V + 在 + Location DO + bèi + Agent + V + zài + Location 这本书被他放在桌子上。 zhè běn shū bèi tā fàng zài zhuōzi shàng The book is put on the table by him.

24 Passive + agent + adverb DO + Time + 被 + Agent + V DO + Time + bèi + Agent + V 这本书今天被他看。 zhè běn shū jīntiān bèi tā kàn The book is read by him today.

25 Passive + IO + agent + adverb DO + Time + 被 + Agent + V + 给 + IO DO + Time + bèi + Agent + V + gěi + IO 这本书今天被老师给了学生。 zhè běn shū jīntiān bèi lǎoshī gěi le xuéshēng The book was given to the student by the teacher today.

26 Perfect passive DO + 被 + Agent + V + 了 DO + bèi + Agent + V + le 这本书被人看了。 zhè běn shū bèi rén kàn le The book has been read.

27 Perfect + agent DO + 被 + Agent + V + 了 DO + bèi + Agent + V + le 这本书被他看了。 zhè běn shū bèi tā kàn le The book has been read by him.

28 Future passive DO + 会 + 被 + Agent + V DO + huì + bèi + Agent + V 这本书会被他看。 zhè běn shū huì bèi tā kàn The book will be read by him.

29 Future passive + agent DO + 会 + 被 + Agent + V DO + huì + bèi + Agent + V 这本书会被他看。 zhè běn shū huì bèi tā kàn The book will be read by him.

30 Modal passive DO + 要 + 被 + Agent + V DO + yào + bèi + Agent + V 这本书要被人看。 zhè běn shū yào bèi rén kàn The book must be read.

31 Negative S + 不 + V S + bù + V 我不看这本书。 wǒ bù kàn zhè běn shū I do not read the book.

32 Negative passive DO + 不 + 被 + Agent + V DO + bù + bèi + Agent + V 这本书不被他看。 zhè běn shū bù bèi tā kàn The book is not read by him.

33 Yes/no question S + V + 不 + V + DO S + V + bù + V + DO 你看不看这本书？ nǐ kàn bù kàn zhè běn shū? Do you read the book?

34 Passive question DO + 被 + Agent + V + 吗？ DO + bèi + Agent + V + ma? 这本书被人看吗？ zhè běn shū bèi rén kàn ma? Is the book read?

35 Agent question DO + 谁 + V？ DO + shéi + V? 这本书谁看？ zhè běn shū shéi kàn? Who reads the book?

36 IO question S + 给 + 谁 + DO？ S + gěi + shéi + DO? 你给谁这本书？ nǐ gěi shéi zhè běn shū? Who do you give this book to?

37 Imperative V + 吧 V + ba 看这本书吧。 kàn zhè běn shū ba Read the book!

38 Imperative + IO 给 + IO + DO + 吧 gěi + IO + DO + ba 给他这本书吧。 gěi tā zhè běn shū ba Give him the book!

39 Passive imperative 要 + DO + 被 + Agent + V yào + DO + bèi + Agent + V 这本书要被人看。 zhè běn shū yào bèi rén kàn The book needs to be read.

40 Infinitive 去 + V qù + V 去看书 qù kàn shū to go read / go and read

41 Infinitive + DO V + DO V + DO 看这本书 kàn zhè běn shū to read this book

42 Passive infinitive 被 + Agent + V bèi + Agent + V 被人看 bèi rén kàn to be read

43 Purpose S + 为了 + V S + wèile + V 我吃饭为了玩。 wǒ chīfàn wèile wán I eat in order to play.

44 Relative clause Relative clause + 的 + N Relative clause + de + N 我看的书很有趣。 wǒ kàn de shū hěn yǒuqù The book that I read is interesting.

45 Passive relative 被 + Agent + V + 的 + N bèi + Agent + V + de + N 被他看的书很有趣。 bèi tā kàn de shū hěn yǒuqù The book that was read by him is interesting.

46 Conditional 如果 + Clause，就 + Clause rúguǒ + Clause, jiù + Clause 如果有时间，我就看书。 rúguǒ yǒu shíjiān, wǒ jiù kàn shū If I have time, I will read.

47 Conditional + passive 如果 + DO + 被 + Agent + V，就 + Clause rúguǒ + DO + bèi + Agent + V, jiù + Clause 如果这本书被他看，他就会学到东西。 rúguǒ zhè běn shū bèi tā kàn, tā jiù huì xué dào dōngxi If this book is read by him, he will learn something.

48 Reported speech S + 说 + Clause S + shuō + Clause 他说他看书。 tā shuō tā kàn shū He says that he reads.

49 Reported question S + 问 + Person + Question Clause S + wèn + Person + Question Clause 他问我看不看书。 tā wèn wǒ kàn bù kàn shū He asks whether I read the book.

50 Reported command S + 叫 + Person + V S + jiào + Person + V 他叫我看书。 tā jiào wǒ kàn shū He tells me to read.

ADVERBS:

1 Manner Adverb + Verb / usually before verb 我快速地读这本书。 Wǒ kuàisù de dú zhè běn shū. I read the book quickly.

2 Place Place expression + Verb / usually before verb 我在家读这本书。 Wǒ zài jiā dú zhè běn shū. I read the book at home.

3 Time Time expression + Sentence / beginning, middle, or end 我昨天读了这本书。 Wǒ zuótiān dú le zhè běn shū. I read the book yesterday.

4 Frequency Frequency adverb + Verb / usually before verb 我经常读书。 Wǒ jīngcháng dú shū. I often read books.

5 Frequency + be Frequency adverb + 是 (shì) / Predicate 他总是很开心。 Tā zǒngshì hěn kāixīn. He is always happy.

6 Frequency + auxiliary Frequency adverb + Auxiliary + Verb 我从来没看过这个。 Wǒ cónglái méi kàn guo zhège. I have never seen this.

7 Degree Degree adverb + Adjective 这个非常好。 Zhège fēicháng hǎo. This is very good.

8 Degree + verb Degree adverb + Verb 我真的喜欢这个。 Wǒ zhēn de xǐhuān zhège. I really like this.

9 Sentence adverb Sentence adverb + Clause / usually beginning 幸运的是，我赢了。 Xìngyùn de shì, wǒ yíng le. Fortunately, I won.

10 Comment adverb Comment expression + Clause / usually beginning 老实说，我不知道。 Lǎoshí shuō, wǒ bù zhīdào. Honestly, I don't know.

11 Linking adverb Linking adverb + Clause / usually beginning 我很累，但是我继续工作。 Wǒ hěn lèi, dànshì wǒ jìxù gōngzuò. I was tired; however, I continued working.

12 Direction Directional complement + Verb 他走出去了。 Tā zǒu chūqù le. He went outside.

13 Definite frequency Definite frequency expression + Verb 我每天都去那里。 Wǒ měitiān dōu qù nàli. I go there every day.

14 Duration Duration expression + Verb 我学习了两个小时。 Wǒ xuéxí le liǎng gè xiǎoshí. I studied for two hours.

15 Purpose 为了 (wèile) + Verb / purpose phrase 我去那里是为了学习。 Wǒ qù nàli shì wèile xuéxí. I went there to study.

INDIRECT OBJECT:

Give someone something S + 给 + IO + DO S + gěi + IO + DO 我给他一本书。 wǒ gěi tā yì běn shū I give him a book.

Buy someone something S + 给 + IO + V + DO S + gěi + IO + V + DO 我给他买一本书。 wǒ gěi tā mǎi yì běn shū I buy him a book.

Make someone something S + 给 + IO + V + DO S + gěi + IO + V + DO 我给他做饭。 wǒ gěi tā zuò fàn I cook for him.

Tell someone something S + 告诉 + IO + DO/Clause S + gàosu + IO + DO/Clause 我告诉他这个消息。 wǒ gàosu tā zhège xiāoxi I tell him the news.

Send someone something S + 给 + IO + V + DO S + gěi + IO + V + DO 我给他寄一本书。 wǒ gěi tā jì yì běn shū I send him a book.

Show someone something S + 给 + IO + V + DO S + gěi + IO + V + DO 我给他看这本书。 wǒ gěi tā kàn zhè běn shū I show him this book.

GENITIVE:

Basic genitive Possessor + 的 + N Possessor + de + N 我的书 wǒ de shū my book

Person's possession Person + 的 + N Person + de + N 老师的书 lǎoshī de shū teacher's book

Noun possession N + 的 + N N + de + N 中国的历史 Zhōngguó de lìshǐ China's history

Multiple genitive A + 的 + B + 的 + C A + de + B + de + C 我的老师的书 wǒ de lǎoshī de shū my teacher's book

Omitted 的 Possessor + N Possessor + N 我妈妈 wǒ māma my mother

Genitive + adjective Possessor + 的 + Adj + N Possessor + de + Adj + N 我的新书 wǒ de xīn shū my new book

Independent possessive Possessor + 的 Possessor + de 这本书是我的。 zhè běn shū shì wǒ de This book is mine.

mine 我的 wǒ de

yours (singular) 你的 nǐ de

his 他的 tā de

hers 她的 tā de

its 它的 tā de

ours 我们的 wǒmen de

yours (plural) 你们的 nǐmen de

theirs 他们的 tāmen de

theirs (female) 她们的 tāmen de

WAS GOING TO:

I was going to 我本来要 wǒ běnlái yào 我本来要吃饭。 wǒ běnlái yào chīfàn I was going to eat.

You were going to 你本来要 nǐ běnlái yào 你本来要吃饭。 nǐ běnlái yào chīfàn You were going to eat.

He was going to 他本来要 tā běnlái yào 他本来要吃饭。 tā běnlái yào chīfàn He was going to eat.

She was going to 她本来要 tā běnlái yào 她本来要吃饭。 tā běnlái yào chīfàn She was going to eat.

We were going to 我们本来要 wǒmen běnlái yào 我们本来要吃饭。 wǒmen běnlái yào chīfàn We were going to eat.

You were going to 你们本来要 nǐmen běnlái yào 你们本来要吃饭。 nǐmen běnlái yào chīfàn You were going to eat.

They were going to 他们本来要 tāmen běnlái yào 他们本来要吃饭。 tāmen běnlái yào chīfàn They were going to eat.

was going to S + 本来 + 要 + V S + běnlái + yào + V

was planning to S + 本来 + 打算 + V S + běnlái + dǎsuàn + V

was intending to S + 本来 + 想 + V S + běnlái + xiǎng + V

was about to S + 正要 + V S + zhèng yào + V

was about to / was just going to S + 正准备 + V S + zhèng zhǔnbèi + V

2- NOUNS

ARTICLES:

INDEFINITE ARTICLES (a/an):

Chinese has uses a measure word after an indefinite article:

1- 本 [běn]

used for books and bound printed materials

一本书 [yì běn shū] (one book/a book)

FORMATION:

一 [yì] = one (helps express a/an)

本 [běn] = (measure word [a measure word is a word to count a noun or group them by their physical characteristics. Example: a piece of cake])

2- 只 [zhī]

used for many animals and also for one item of a pair

一只猫 [yì zhī māo] (one cat)

FORMATION:

一 [yì] = one (helps express a/an)

只 [zhī] = (measure word)

3- 个 (ge)

The most common measure word in china especially with people nouns:

一个人 [yí gè rén] (one person)

FORMATION:

一 [yì] = one (helps express a/an)

个 [ge] = (measure word)

4- 杯 (bei)

a measure word to mean "a cup of" or "a glass of"

一杯茶 [yì bēi chá]

FORMATION: (Same structure as the rest)

5- 一位 (wèi)

Polite classifer for people

一位老师 yí wèi lǎoshī

6- 张 (zhāng)

For Flat objects (papers, tables, tickets, beds, photos)

一张纸 [yì zhāng zhǐ] (one sheet of paper / one paper)

7- 张 (tiáo)

For long, flexible things (fish, rivers, roads, pants, snakes)

一条鱼 [yì tiáo yú] (A fish)

8- 件 (jiàn)

For clothings and events

一件衣服 [yí jiàn yīfu] (One piece of clothing / One clothing)

9- 辆 (liàng)

For vehicles

一辆汽车 [yí liàng qìchē] (A car)

10- 把 (bǎ)

For Objects with handles

一把椅子 [yì bǎ yǐzi] (one chair)

11- 支 (zhī): Pens and long rigid objects

一支笔 [yì zhī bǐ] (A pen)

12- 枝 (zhī) —> Flowers and branches

一枝花 [yì zhī huā] (A flower)

13- 双 (shuāng) —> Pairs

一双鞋 [yì shuāng xié] (A pair of shoes)

一双筷子 [yì shuāng kuàizi] (A pair of chopsticks)

14- 台 (tái) —> Machines

一台电脑 [yì tái diànnǎo] (A computer)

15- 间 (jiān) —> Rooms

一间房子 [yì jiān fángzi] (A house)

16- 口 (kǒu) —> Family members; mouths

一口人 [yì kǒu rén] (One family member)

17- 首 (shǒu) —> Songs and poems

一首歌 [yì shǒu gē] (A song)

18- 封 (fēng) —> Letters

一封信 [yì fēng xìn] (One letter)

19- 颗 (kē) —> Small round objects

一颗苹果 [yì kē píngguǒ] (An apple)

20- 粒 (lì) —> Grains and pills

一粒米 [yí lì mǐ] (A grain of rice)

一粒药 [yí lì yào] (One pill)

21- 块 (kuài) —> Pieces/chunks

一块蛋糕 [yí kuài dàngāo] (A piece of cake / A cake)

一块石头 [yí kuài shítou] (A stone)

22- 瓶 (píng) —> Bottles

一瓶水 [yì píng shuǐ] [A bottle of water]

23- 碗 (wǎn) —> Bowls

一碗饭 [yì wǎn fàn] (A bowl of rice)

24- 盒 (hé) —> Boxes

一盒牛奶 [yì hé niúnǎi] (A carton of milk)

25- 斤 (jīn) —> Half-kilogram (500 g)

一斤苹果 [yì jīn píngguǒ] (A pound of apples)

PLURAL NOUNS:

Most plural nouns do not change:

书 (book) -> 书 (books)

You can use a number and a measure word before the noun to show that it is plural (or you can just guess from context):

一本书 [yì běn shū] (one book [singular])

两本书 [liǎng běn shū] (two books [plural])

五只猫 [wǔ zhī māo] (five cats [Plural])

We add the suffix -men [们] to plural pronouns and some plural nouns that refer to people. It is never used for objects:

我们是学生。[wǒmen shì xuéshēng.] (We are students.)

学生 [xuéshēng] (student) -> 学生们 [xuéshēngmen] (students)

SUBJECT, DIRECT OBJECT, INDIRECT OBJECT, GENITIVE:

Subject: The noun that does the action (Example: I eat the apple [I is the subject])

Indirect Object: The noun that recieves an action (Example: I give the person a book / I give a book to the person [Person is the indirect object])

Direct Object: The noun that the action is done to (Example: I eat the apple [apple is the direct object])

Genitive: The noun that has a possession but the topic is the possession itself (Example: The boy's apple [boy's is genitive])

INDIRECT OBJECT FORMATION IN CHINESE:

1- (Subject) + 给 [gěi] + (Indirect Object) + (Verb) + (Direct Object)

我给你一本书。[Wǒ gěi nǐ yì běn shū.] (I give a book to you.)

我 [Wǒ] = subject

给 [gěi]

你 [nǐ] = (indirect object)

一本书 [yì běn shū] = (direct object)

2- (Subject) + (Verb) + (Indirect Object) + (Direct Object)

我送你礼物。[Wǒ sòng nǐ lǐwù.] (I give you a gift)

我 [Wǒ] = subject

送 [sòng] = give/present

你 [nǐ] = indirect object

礼物 [lǐwù] = direct object

GENITIVE FORMATION IN CHINESE:

(Genitive) + 的 [de] + (Possession)

3- ADJECTIVES

If the adjective comes before the noun:

(Adjective) + 的 [de] + (Noun)

红的苹果

红 [Hóng] = red

的 [de] =

苹果 [Píngguǒ] = apple

If adjectives come after the noun:

TO BE VERB:

很 [hěn] (am/are/is) (for adjectives)

他很高 [tā hěn gāo.] (He is tall.)

是 [shì] (am/are/is) (for nouns)

她是老师。[tā shì lǎoshī.] (She is a teacher.)

Present Simple Subject + 是 + Noun zhǔyǔ + shì + míngcí 我是学生。 (wǒ shì xuéshēng.) = I am a student.

Present Continuous Not normally used with 是 — Chinese does not say "I am being a student."

Present Perfect 已经 + 是 + Noun yǐjīng + shì + míngcí 我已经是老师了。 (wǒ yǐjīng shì lǎoshī le.) = I have become / am already a teacher.

Present Perfect Continuous Not used with 是 — States are not normally expressed this way in Chinese.

Past Simple Time + Subject + 是 + Noun shíjiān + zhǔyǔ + shì + míngcí 昨天我是学生。 (zuótiān wǒ shì xuéshēng.) = Yesterday I was a student.

Past Continuous 当时 + Subject + 是 + Noun dāngshí + zhǔyǔ + shì + míngcí 当时我是队长。 (dāngshí wǒ shì duìzhǎng.) = At that time I was the team leader.

Past Perfect 以前已经是 + Noun yǐqián yǐjīng shì 那时候我已经是老师了。 (nà shíhou wǒ yǐjīng shì lǎoshī le.) = By then I had already been a teacher.

Past Perfect Continuous Not normally used — Express with time phrases if needed.

Future Simple 会是 + Noun huì shì + míngcí 我会是医生。 (wǒ huì shì yīshēng.) = I will be a doctor.

Future Continuous 将会是 + Noun jiāng huì shì 明天这个时候我将会是在办公室。 (míngtiān zhège shíhou wǒ jiāng huì zài bàngōngshì.) = At this time tomorrow I will be in the office. (Location uses 在, not 是.)

Future Perfect 到…时已经是 + Noun dào... shí yǐjīng shì 到明年我已经是经理了。 (dào míngnián wǒ yǐjīng shì jīnglǐ le.) = By next year I will have become a manager.

Future Perfect Continuous No direct equivalent — Chinese expresses this with time expressions rather than a special tense.

Negative Forms

English Chinese Transliteration

am not 不是 bú shì

was not 昨天不是… zuótiān bú shì...

will not be 不会是 bú huì shì

Examples:

我不是老师。

wǒ bú shì lǎoshī.

= I am not a teacher.

昨天我不是老师。

zuótiān wǒ bú shì lǎoshī.

= Yesterday I was not a teacher.

我不会是经理。

wǒ bú huì shì jīnglǐ.

= I will not be a manager.

4- PRONOUNS

SUBJECT / DIRECT OBJECT / INDIRECT OBJECT:

我 [wǒ] -> I

你 [nǐ] -> You

他 / 她 / 它 [tā / tā / tā] -> He / She / It

我们 [wǒmen] -> We

你们 [nǐmen] -> You (plural)

他们 / 她们 / 它们 [tāmen] -> They

GENITIVE:

We just add the word marker 的 [de] after the pronoun

我的 [wǒ de] (my)

我的书 [wǒ de shū] (my book)

DEMONSTRATIVE:

这 [zhè] (This)

那 [nà] (That)

这些 [zhèxiē] (These)

那些 [nàxiē] (Those)

(Demonstrative) + (Measure Word) + (Noun)

REFLEXIVE:

We add the word marker 自己 [zìjǐ] after the pronoun to make it reflexive

5- VERB TENSES

Present Simple: (Subject) + (Verb)

Present Continuous: Subject + 在 [zài] + Verb

Present Perfect (completed action): Subject + Verb + 了 [le]

Present Perfect (experience): Subject + Verb + 过 [guo]

Present Perfect Continuous: Subject + Verb + Duration + 了 [le]

Past Simple: Past Time + Subject + Verb + 了 [le]

Past Continuous: Past Time + Subject + 在 [zài] + Verb

Past Perfect: Subject + 已经 [yǐjīng] + Verb + 了 [le]

Past Perfect Continuous: Subject + 已经 [yǐjīng] + Verb + Duration + 了 [le]

Future Simple: Future Time + Subject + Verb

OR

Subject + 会 [huì] + Verb

Future Continuous: Future Time + Subject + 在 [zài] + Verb

Future Perfect: 到 [Dào] + Time of something happening + Subject + 会 [huì] + Resultative Verb

Future Perfect Continuous: 到 [Dào] + Time of something happening + Subject + Verb + Duration

6- PASSIVE TENSES

Present Passive 被 [bèi] + Verb

Present Continuous Passive: 正在 [zhèngzài] + 被 [bèi] + Verb

Present Perfect Passive 已经 [yǐjīng] + 被 [bèi] + Verb + 了 [le]

Experience Passive 被 [bèi] + Verb + 过 [guo]

Past Passive Time + 被 [bèi] + Verb + 了 [le]

Past Continuous Passive 正在 [zhèngzài] + 被 [bèi] + Verb

Past Perfect Passive 已经 [yǐjīng] + 被 [bèi] + Verb + 了 [le]

Future Passive 会 + 被 [bèi] + Verb

Future continuous passive 将会正在被 [jiānghuì zhèngzài bèi] + Verb

Future Perfect Passive 已经会被 [yǐjīng huì bèi] + Verb + 了 [le]

Perfect Continuous Passives Usually rephrased

7- NEGATION:

add the word 不 [bù]:

I do not eat. 我不吃。 wǒ bù chī.

He does not go. 他不去。 tā bù qù.

We do not study. 我们不学习。 wǒmen bù xuéxí.

Present Simple 不 + Verb bù + dòngcí 我不吃苹果。 wǒ bù chī píngguǒ. I do not eat apples.

Present Continuous 没有在 + Verb méiyǒu zài + dòngcí 我没有在吃苹果。 wǒ méiyǒu zài chī píngguǒ. I am not eating an apple.

Past Simple 没 + Verb méi + dòngcí 我没吃苹果。 wǒ méi chī píngguǒ. I did not eat an apple.

Past Continuous 没有在 + Verb méiyǒu zài + dòngcí 我没有在吃苹果。 wǒ méiyǒu zài chī píngguǒ. I was not eating an apple.

Past Perfect 还没有 + Verb hái méiyǒu + dòngcí 我还没有吃苹果。 wǒ hái méiyǒu chī píngguǒ. I had not eaten the apple (yet).

Present Perfect 还没(有) + Verb hái méi(yǒu) + dòngcí 我还没吃苹果。 wǒ hái méi chī píngguǒ. I have not eaten the apple yet.

Present Perfect Continuous 没有一直 + Verb méiyǒu yìzhí + dòngcí 我没有一直吃苹果。 wǒ méiyǒu yìzhí chī píngguǒ. I have not been eating apples continuously.

Future Simple 不会 + Verb bú huì + dòngcí 我不会吃苹果。 wǒ bú huì chī píngguǒ. I will not eat the apple.

Future Continuous 不会在 + Verb bú huì zài + dòngcí 我明天这个时候不会在吃苹果。 wǒ míngtiān zhège shíhou bú huì zài chī píngguǒ. I will not be eating an apple at this time tomorrow.

Future Perfect 未来时间 + 还没有 + Verb + 完 wèilái shíjiān + hái méiyǒu + dòngcí + wán 到明天我还没有吃完苹果。 dào míngtiān wǒ hái méiyǒu chī wán píngguǒ. By tomorrow I will not have finished eating the apple.

Experience Negative 没 + Verb + 过 méi + dòngcí + guò 我没吃过榴莲。 wǒ méi chī guò liúlián. I have never eaten durian.

Is not done 不被 + Verb bù bèi + dòngcí 这本书不被使用。 zhè běn shū bù bèi shǐyòng. This book is not used.

Is not being done 没有被 + Verb méiyǒu bèi + dòngcí 这封信没有被写。 zhè fēng xìn méiyǒu bèi xiě. This letter is not being written.

Was not done 没被 + Verb méi bèi + dòngcí 这封信没被写。 zhè fēng xìn méi bèi xiě. This letter was not written.

Was not being done 没有被 + Verb méiyǒu bèi + dòngcí 当时这封信没有被写。 dāngshí zhè fēng xìn méiyǒu bèi xiě. The letter was not being written then.

Had not been done 还没有被 + Verb hái méiyǒu bèi + dòngcí 到那时这封信还没有被写。 dào nà shí zhè fēng xìn hái méiyǒu bèi xiě. By then the letter had not been written.

Has not been done 还没有被 + Verb hái méiyǒu bèi + dòngcí 这封信还没有被写。 zhè fēng xìn hái méiyǒu bèi xiě. The letter has not been written yet.

Will not be done 不会被 + Verb bú huì bèi + dòngcí 这封信不会被写。 zhè fēng xìn bú huì bèi xiě. The letter will not be written.

Will not have been done 未来时间 + 还没有被 + Verb + 完 wèilái shíjiān + hái méiyǒu bèi + dòngcí + wán 到明天这封信还没有被写完。 dào míngtiān zhè fēng xìn hái méiyǒu bèi xiě wán. By tomorrow the letter will not have been finished.

8- QUESTIONS:

YES/NO QUESTIONS:

Same order but we add 吗 [ma] at the end of the sentence

Are you a student? 你是学生吗？ nǐ shì xuéshēng ma?

Do you eat apples? 你吃苹果吗？ nǐ chī píngguǒ ma?

Is he a teacher? 他是老师吗？ tā shì lǎoshī ma?

Do you like Chinese? 你喜欢中文吗？ nǐ xǐhuan Zhōngwén ma?

Chinese can ask "is it or isn't it?" by repeating the verb/adjective.

Verb + 不 + Verb

or

Adjective + 不 + Adjective

你是不是学生？ nǐ shì bú shì xuéshēng? (Are you a student or not? / Are you or are you not a student?)

QUESTION WORDS:

Who 谁 shéi / shuí 谁 + Verb / Subject + Verb + 谁

What 什么 shénme Subject + Verb + 什么

Where 哪里 / 哪儿 nǎlǐ / nǎr Subject + 在/去 + 哪里

When 什么时候 shénme shíhou Subject + 什么时候 + Verb

Why 为什么 wèishénme (为什么) + Subject + Verb

How 怎么 zěnme Subject + 怎么 + Verb

Which 哪 nǎ 哪 + Measure Word + Noun

How many 几 / 多少 jǐ / duōshao Subject + Verb + 几/多少 + Measure Word + Noun

How much 多少(钱) duōshao (qián) Subject + Verb + 多少(钱)

Whose 谁的 shéi de 谁的 + Noun

What kind 什么样的 shénme yàng de 什么样的 + Noun

How long 多久 duōjiǔ Subject + Verb + 多久

How often 多久一次 duōjiǔ yí cì Subject + 多久 + Verb + 一次

9- ADVERBS:

Chinese Pinyin English

认真 rènzhēn seriously; carefully

仔细 zǐxì carefully

小心 xiǎoxīn carefully

轻轻 qīngqīng gently; lightly

慢慢 mànmàn slowly

快快 kuàikuài quickly

悄悄 qiāoqiāo quietly; secretly

默默 mòmò silently

大声 dàshēng loudly

亲自 qīnzì personally

故意 gùyì deliberately

特意 tèyì specially; deliberately

特地 tèdì specially; purposely

有意 yǒuyì intentionally

无意 wúyì unintentionally

偶然 ǒurán accidentally

意外地 yìwài de unexpectedly

突然 tūrán suddenly

忽然 hūrán suddenly

悄然 qiǎorán quietly; silently

公然 gōngrán openly; publicly

偷偷 tōutōu secretly

暗中 ànzhōng secretly

正面 zhèngmiàn directly; positively

直接 zhíjiē directly

间接 jiànjiē indirectly

分别 fēnbié respectively; separately

一起 yìqǐ together

一同 yìtóng together

共同 gòngtóng jointly

独自 dúzì alone

单独 dāndú separately; alone

亲手 qīnshǒu personally; with one's own hands

Examples

他认真地学习。

tā rènzhēn de xuéxí

He studies seriously.

她悄悄地走进房间。

tā qiāoqiāo de zǒu jìn fángjiān

She quietly entered the room.

我亲自去那里。

wǒ qīnzì qù nàlǐ

I will go there personally.

2. Time adverbs — 时间副词

Chinese Pinyin English

现在 xiànzài now

目前 mùqián currently

当前 dāngqián currently; at present

如今 rújīn nowadays; now

当今 dāngjīn nowadays

已经 yǐjīng already

曾经 céngjīng once; formerly

从前 cóngqián formerly; in the past

以前 yǐqián before; previously

过去 guòqù in the past

刚 gāng just

刚刚 gānggāng just now

方才 fāngcái just now

才 cái only then; not until

就 jiù already; then; soon

正 zhèng be currently doing

正在 zhèngzài be currently doing

正当 zhèngdāng just as; while

将 jiāng will; in the future

将要 jiāngyào will; be about to

即将 jíjiāng be about to

快 kuài soon; nearly

快要 kuàiyào be about to

马上 mǎshàng immediately; soon

立即 lìjí immediately

立刻 lìkè immediately

赶紧 gǎnjǐn quickly; hurry up

赶快 gǎnkuài quickly

尽快 jǐnkuài as soon as possible

随即 suíjí immediately afterward

随后 suíhòu afterward

后来 hòulái later

然后 ránhòu then; afterward

后来 hòulái later

最后 zuìhòu finally

终于 zhōngyú finally

终究 zhōngjiū eventually; after all

早已 zǎoyǐ long ago; already

早就 zǎojiù already; long ago

一直 yìzhí continuously; all along

始终 shǐzhōng throughout; always

从来 cónglái ever; always

向来 xiànglái always; traditionally

一向 yíxiàng always; consistently

一度 yídù once; at one time

暂时 zànshí temporarily

临时 línshí temporarily; provisionally

永远 yǒngyuǎn forever

永久 yǒngjiǔ permanently

长期 chángqī for a long time

短期 duǎnqī for a short time

Key differences

我刚到。

wǒ gāng dào

I just arrived.

我已经到了。

wǒ yǐjīng dào le

I have already arrived.

我正在吃饭。

wǒ zhèngzài chīfàn

I am eating right now.

我马上回来。

wǒ mǎshàng huílái

I'll be back soon/immediately.

3. Frequency adverbs — 频率副词

Chinese Pinyin English

总是 zǒngshì always

总 zǒng always; constantly

一直 yìzhí continuously; always

经常 jīngcháng often

常常 chángcháng often

常 cháng often

时常 shícháng often

往往 wǎngwǎng often; tend to

通常 tōngcháng usually

一般 yìbān generally; usually

平时 píngshí normally; usually

偶尔 ǒu'ěr occasionally

有时 yǒushí sometimes

有时候 yǒu shíhou sometimes

间或 jiànhuò occasionally

偶然 ǒurán occasionally

从不 cóngbù never

从来不 cónglái bù never

从未 cóngwèi never; never have

未曾 wèicéng never have

很少 hěn shǎo rarely

少有 shǎoyǒu rarely

罕见地 hǎnjiàn de rarely

再三 zàisān repeatedly

屡次 lǚcì repeatedly

屡屡 lǚlǚ repeatedly

反复 fǎnfù repeatedly

一再 yízài repeatedly

再次 zàicì again

再度 zàidù again

重新 chóngxīn again; anew

他经常看书。

tā jīngcháng kàn shū

He often reads.

我从来不抽烟。

wǒ cónglái bù chōuyān

I never smoke.

4. Place/direction adverbials — 处所/方向副词

Chinese has fewer pure place adverbs than English; many are location nouns or directional compounds functioning adverbially.

Chinese Pinyin English

这里 zhèlǐ here

这儿 zhèr here

那里 nàlǐ there

那儿 nàr there

哪里 nǎlǐ where

哪儿 nǎr where

到处 dàochù everywhere

处处 chùchù everywhere

随处 suí chù everywhere; anywhere

四处 sìchù everywhere; in all directions

周围 zhōuwéi around; nearby

附近 fùjìn nearby

上面 shàngmiàn above; on top

下面 xiàmiàn below; underneath

前面 qiánmiàn in front

后面 hòumiàn behind

里面 lǐmiàn inside

外面 wàimiàn outside

左边 zuǒbian left

右边 yòubian right

旁边 pángbiān beside

中间 zhōngjiān in the middle

当中 dāngzhōng in the middle

其中 qízhōng among them

到处 dàochù everywhere

四周 sìzhōu all around

5. Degree/intensity adverbs — 程度副词

This is one of the most important Chinese adverb groups.

Chinese Pinyin English

很 hěn very

非常 fēicháng very; extremely

十分 shífēn very; extremely

特别 tèbié especially; particularly

格外 géwài especially; exceptionally

极其 jíqí extremely

极为 jíwéi extremely

极端 jíduān extremely

最 zuì most

更 gèng more; even more

更加 gèngjiā even more

较 jiào relatively; comparatively

比较 bǐjiào relatively; comparatively

稍 shāo slightly

稍微 shāowéi slightly

略 lüè slightly

略微 lüèwéi slightly

太 tài too; extremely

过于 guòyú overly; excessively

极 jí extremely

相当 xiāngdāng quite; fairly

挺 tǐng quite; pretty

真 zhēn really

真正 zhēnzhèng truly; genuinely

实在 shízài really; indeed

确实 quèshí indeed; really

简直 jiǎnzhí simply; practically

尤其 yóuqí especially

尤为 yóuwéi especially

颇 pō quite; rather

极为 jíwéi extremely

何等 héděng how; to what degree

多么 duōme how; so

何其 héqí how extremely

Examples

他非常聪明。

tā fēicháng cōngming

He is very intelligent.

今天比昨天更冷。

jīntiān bǐ zuótiān gèng lěng

Today is colder than yesterday.

这太贵了。

zhè tài guì le

This is too expensive.

6. Quantity adverbs — 数量副词

Chinese Pinyin English

多 duō much; a lot

少 shǎo little; less

很多 hěnduō a lot

许多 xǔduō many; much

大量 dàliàng in large quantities

大大 dàdà greatly

稍 shāo slightly

稍微 shāowéi slightly

仅 jǐn only

仅仅 jǐnjǐn merely; only

只 zhǐ only

只是 zhǐshì merely; just

仅有 jǐnyǒu have only

足足 zúzú a full; no less than

足足地 zúzú de fully

一共 yígòng altogether

总共 zǒnggòng altogether

共 gòng altogether

合计 héjì in total

一共 yígòng in total

我只买了一本书。

wǒ zhǐ mǎi le yì běn shū

I bought only one book.

我们一共五个人。

wǒmen yígòng wǔ gè rén

There are five of us in total.

7. Certainty adverbs — 确定性副词

Chinese Pinyin English

一定 yídìng definitely; certainly

必定 bìdìng definitely

必然 bìrán inevitably; necessarily

肯定 kěndìng certainly; definitely

确定 quèdìng certainly; definitely

确实 quèshí indeed

的确 díquè indeed

果然 guǒrán as expected; sure enough

当然 dāngrán of course; naturally

无疑 wúyí undoubtedly

毫无疑问 háo wú yíwèn without a doubt

固然 gùrán admittedly; certainly

他一定会来。

tā yídìng huì lái

He will definitely come.

这的确是真的。

zhè díquè shì zhēn de

This is indeed true.

8. Probability / uncertainty — 推测副词

Chinese Pinyin English

可能 kěnéng possibly; may

或许 huòxǔ perhaps

也许 yěxǔ perhaps; maybe

大概 dàgài probably; approximately

大约 dàyuē approximately

恐怕 kǒngpà I'm afraid; probably

似乎 sìhū seemingly; apparently

好像 hǎoxiàng seem; appear

仿佛 fǎngfú as if; seemingly

彷佛 fǎngfú as if

看来 kànlái apparently; it seems

看起来 kàn qǐlái apparently; seemingly

想必 xiǎngbì presumably

未必 wèibì not necessarily

或者 huòzhě perhaps; or

八成 bāchéng very likely

多半 duōbàn probably; mostly

恐怕 kǒngpà probably; I'm afraid

兴许 xìngxǔ perhaps; maybe

他可能已经走了。

tā kěnéng yǐjīng zǒu le

He may have already left.

他大概不知道。

tā dàgài bù zhīdào

He probably doesn't know.

这未必是真的。

zhè wèibì shì zhēn de

This is not necessarily true.

9. Negative adverbs — 否定副词

Chinese Pinyin English

不 bù not

没 méi not; haven't

没有 méiyǒu not have; haven't

未 wèi not yet; did not

莫 mò do not

勿 wù do not

别 bié don't

不曾 bùcéng never did

未曾 wèicéng never have

从不 cóngbù never

从未 cóngwèi never

毫不 háobù not at all

决不 juébù definitely not

绝不 juébù absolutely not

并不 bìngbù actually not

并非 bìngfēi is by no means

未必 wèibì not necessarily

不免 bùmiǎn inevitably; cannot avoid

不再 búzài no longer

不曾 bùcéng never

不够 búgòu not enough

Important

不 (bù) normally negates present/future/habitual situations:

我不吃。

wǒ bù chī

I don't eat / I won't eat.

没 (méi) commonly negates completed events or possession:

我没吃。

wǒ méi chī

I didn't eat.

我没有钱。

wǒ méiyǒu qián

I don't have money.

10. Focus adverbs — 焦点副词

These tell us which element is being emphasized or restricted.

Chinese Pinyin English

只 zhǐ only

仅 jǐn only

仅仅 jǐnjǐn merely; only

光 guāng only; merely

单 dān merely; only

单单 dāndān merely; only

净 jìng only; nothing but

仅有 jǐnyǒu only have

才 cái only then; only

就 jiù then; already; just

甚至 shènzhì even

尤其 yóuqí especially

特别 tèbié especially

恰好 qiàhǎo exactly; happen to

正好 zhènghǎo exactly; just

正是 zhèngshì precisely

恰恰 qiàqià precisely; exactly

偏偏 piānpiān unexpectedly; contrary to expectation

反而 fǎn'ér instead; on the contrary

反倒 fǎndào instead; conversely

也 yě also; too

又 yòu again; also

还 hái still; also

都 dōu all; both

甚至于 shènzhìyú even

Examples

我只喜欢这个。

wǒ zhǐ xǐhuan zhège

I only like this one.

甚至他也不知道。

shènzhì tā yě bù zhīdào

Even he doesn't know.

他偏偏不来。

tā piānpiān bù lái

He just refuses to come / Of all things, he doesn't come.

11. Additive adverbs — 追加副词

Chinese Pinyin English

也 yě also; too

还 hái also; still

又 yòu also; again

还要 hái yào also need; even more

更 gèng even more

再 zài again; additionally

另外 lìngwài additionally; besides

此外 cǐwài besides; additionally

而且 érqiě moreover; furthermore

甚至 shènzhì even

同样 tóngyàng likewise; similarly

同时 tóngshí at the same time

一并 yíbìng together; along with

12. Repetition adverbs — 重复副词

Chinese Pinyin English

再 zài again

又 yòu again

重新 chóngxīn again; anew

再次 zàicì again

再度 zàidù once again

一再 yízài repeatedly

再三 zàisān repeatedly

屡次 lǚcì repeatedly

屡屡 lǚlǚ repeatedly

反复 fǎnfù repeatedly

一而再 yī'érzài again and again

一再地 yízài de repeatedly

Important difference

再 (zài) → another occurrence, usually future:

请再说一次。

qǐng zài shuō yí cì

Please say it again.

又 (yòu) → another occurrence that has already happened / recurring:

他又来了。

tā yòu lái le

He came again.

13. Result/completion-related adverbs

Chinese Pinyin English

已经 yǐjīng already

终于 zhōngyú finally

果然 guǒrán as expected

反而 fǎn'ér instead

总算 zǒngsuàn finally; at long last

竟 jìng unexpectedly

竟然 jìngrán unexpectedly; actually

居然 jūrán unexpectedly

果真 guǒzhēn sure enough

终究 zhōngjiū eventually

毕竟 bìjìng after all

到底 dàodǐ after all; in the end

究竟 jiūjìng exactly; after all

他竟然赢了。

tā jìngrán yíng le

He actually won.

他终于回来了。

tā zhōngyú huílái le

He finally came back.

14. Unexpectedness / surprise — 意外副词

Chinese Pinyin English

竟 jìng unexpectedly

竟然 jìngrán unexpectedly

居然 jūrán unexpectedly

偏偏 piānpiān contrary to expectation

恰恰 qiàqià precisely; ironically

反而 fǎn'ér instead

反倒 fǎndào instead

没想到 méi xiǎngdào unexpectedly; who would have thought

15. Approximation — Approximation adverbs

Chinese Pinyin English

大约 dàyuē approximately

大概 dàgài approximately; probably

大致 dàzhì roughly; approximately

约 yuē approximately

约莫 yuēmò approximately

差不多 chàbuduō almost; approximately

几乎 jīhū almost

将近 jiāngjìn nearly

接近 jiējìn close to

足有 zúyǒu a full; as many as

左右 zuǒyòu approximately

大体 dàtǐ roughly; generally

大体上 dàtǐ shàng generally

大约有一百个人。

dàyuē yǒu yì bǎi gè rén

There are approximately one hundred people.

他差不多到了。

tā chàbuduō dào le

He has almost arrived.

16. Almost / near completion

Chinese Pinyin English

几乎 jīhū almost

差不多 chàbuduō almost

差点 chàdiǎn almost

差一点 chà yìdiǎn almost

将近 jiāngjìn nearly

快 kuài almost; soon

快要 kuàiyào be about to

几近 jījìn nearly; almost

险些 xiǎnxiē nearly; almost

险些儿 xiǎnxiēr nearly

我差点迟到了。

wǒ chàdiǎn chídào le

I almost arrived late.

电影快结束了。

diànyǐng kuài jiéshù le

The movie is almost over.

17. Limitation — 限制副词

Chinese Pinyin English

只 zhǐ only

仅 jǐn only

仅仅 jǐnjǐn merely

只是 zhǐshì just; merely

不过 búguò only; merely

光 guāng only

仅有 jǐnyǒu only have

无非 wúfēi nothing more than

无外乎 wúwàihū nothing other than

无非是 wúfēi shì nothing more than

18. Emphasis — 强调副词

Chinese Pinyin English

的确 díquè indeed

确实 quèshí indeed

真 zhēn really

真正 zhēnzhèng truly

实在 shízài really

简直 jiǎnzhí simply; absolutely

根本 gēnběn fundamentally; simply not

完全 wánquán completely

绝对 juéduì absolutely

万万 wànwàn by no means

千万 qiānwàn by all means

特别 tèbié especially

尤其 yóuqí especially

极其 jíqí extremely

格外 géwài especially

分外 fènwài especially

我根本不知道。

wǒ gēnběn bù zhīdào

I simply don't know / I have absolutely no idea.

你千万别告诉他。

nǐ qiānwàn bié gàosu tā

By all means, don't tell him.

19. Scope adverbs — 范围副词

Chinese Pinyin English

都 dōu all

全 quán entirely; all

全都 quándōu all

全部 quánbù completely; all

尽 jǐn all; to the fullest extent

一律 yílǜ uniformly; without exception

一概 yígài all; without exception

统统 tǒngtǒng all; completely

通通 tōngtōng all

无不 wúbù all; without exception

莫不 mòbù all; without exception

无一不 wú yī bù every one

人人 rénrén everyone

件件 jiànjiàn every item

样样 yàngyàng everything; every kind

他们都来了。

tāmen dōu lái le

They all came.

所有人都知道。

suǒyǒu rén dōu zhīdào

Everyone knows.

20. Sequential adverbs — 顺序副词

Chinese Pinyin English

首先 shǒuxiān first; firstly

先 xiān first; beforehand

然后 ránhòu then

接着 jiēzhe next; then

随后 suíhòu afterward

之后 zhīhòu afterward

后来 hòulái later

最后 zuìhòu finally

终于 zhōngyú finally

其次 qícì secondly

再 zài then; next

再说 zàishuō besides; furthermore

21. Conditional/circumstantial adverbial expressions

These are often phrases rather than single adverbs, but they function adverbially.

Chinese Pinyin English

如果 rúguǒ if

假如 jiǎrú if

假使 jiǎshǐ if

要是 yàoshi if

倘若 tǎngruò if

若 ruò if

万一 wànyī if by any chance

只要 zhǐyào as long as

除非 chúfēi unless

即使 jíshǐ even if

就算 jiùsuàn even if

哪怕 nǎpà even if

无论 wúlùn regardless of

不管 bùguǎn no matter

不论 bùlùn regardless of

任凭 rènpíng no matter; regardless

These normally introduce clauses, so they are better treated as conjunctions/subordinators or conjunction-like adverbial words, rather than ordinary adverbs.

22. Sentence/discourse adverbs — 语气/话语副词

Chinese Pinyin English

其实 qíshí actually

当然 dāngrán of course

总之 zǒngzhī in short

总而言之 zǒng'ér yán zhī in short

反正 fǎnzhèng anyway

毕竟 bìjìng after all

反而 fǎn'ér instead

果然 guǒrán as expected

显然 xiǎnrán obviously

明显 míngxiǎn obviously; clearly

事实上 shìshí shàng in fact

实际上 shíjì shàng actually; in fact

一般来说 yìbān lái shuō generally speaking

严格来说 yángé lái shuō strictly speaking

简单来说 jiǎndān lái shuō simply speaking

总体上 zǒngtǐ shàng overall

基本上 jīběn shàng basically

原则上 yuánzé shàng in principle

理论上 lǐlùn shàng theoretically

实际上 shíjì shàng practically; actually

23. Attitude/evaluative adverbs

Chinese Pinyin English

幸运地 xìngyùn de fortunately

幸好 xìnghǎo fortunately

幸亏 xìngkuī fortunately; luckily

可惜 kěxī unfortunately; regrettably

不幸 bùxìng unfortunately

坦白说 tǎnbái shuō frankly

老实说 lǎoshí shuō honestly

说实话 shuō shíhuà honestly

说真的 shuō zhēn de seriously; honestly

老实讲 lǎoshí jiǎng honestly

说到底 shuō dàodǐ ultimately

严格地说 yángé de shuō strictly speaking

24. Comparative adverbs — 比较副词

Chinese Pinyin English

更 gèng more

更加 gèngjiā even more

较 jiào relatively more

比较 bǐjiào relatively

最 zuì most

尤其 yóuqí especially

越 yuè increasingly; the more

越来越 yuèláiyuè more and more

越发 yuèfā increasingly

愈 yù increasingly

愈加 yùjiā increasingly

愈发 yùfā increasingly

更为 gèngwéi even more

他越来越高。

tā yuèláiyuè gāo

He is getting taller and taller.

25. Correlative adverb pairs

Some Chinese constructions use adverbs in pairs.

Formation Pinyin English

一……就…… yī...jiù... as soon as...

越……越…… yuè...yuè... the more...the more...

越来越…… yuèláiyuè... more and more...

又……又…… yòu...yòu... both...and...

既……又…… jì...yòu... both...and...

既……也…… jì...yě... both...and...

不但……而且…… bùdàn...érqiě... not only...but also...

不仅……还…… bùjǐn...hái... not only...but also...

不是……而是…… búshì...érshì... not...but...

无论……都…… wúlùn...dōu... no matter...all...

不管……都…… bùguǎn...dōu... no matter...all...

只要……就…… zhǐyào...jiù... as long as...then...

只有……才…… zhǐyǒu...cái... only if...then...

即使……也…… jíshǐ...yě... even if...still...

就算……也…… jiùsuàn...yě... even if...still...

宁可……也…… nìngkě...yě... would rather...than...

与其……不如…… yǔqí...bùrú... rather than...it is better to...

26. Very important multifunctional Chinese adverbs

These are especially important because one word can have several meanings.

就 — jiù

Meaning Example Translation

already 他就到了。 He already arrived.

then 吃完饭就走。 Leave after eating.

immediately 我马上就来。 I'll come right away.

only/just 就三个人。 Only three people.

precisely 就是他。 It is precisely him.

as early as 他十岁就会游泳。 He could swim at ten.

才 — cái

Meaning Example Translation

only then 他来了，我才走。 Only after he came did I leave.

not until 他十点才来。 He didn't come until ten.

only 才三个人。 Only three people.

just 我才知道。 I just found out.

还 — hái

Meaning Example Translation

still 他还在睡觉。 He is still sleeping.

also 我还想吃。 I also want to eat.

even 他还比我高。 He is even taller than me.

yet 他还没来。 He hasn't come yet.

又 — yòu

Meaning Example Translation

again 他又来了。 He came again.

both 又快又好。 Fast and good.

also 他又聪明又努力。 He is intelligent and hardworking.

再 — zài

Usually means again/additionally in a future or unrealized event.

请再说一次。

qǐng zài shuō yí cì

Please say it again.

27. Core Chinese adverb formation patterns

Chinese does not have one universal suffix equivalent to English -ly.

Adverbial meaning can be created in several ways:

Formation Example Pinyin Meaning

Adjective + 地 认真地学习 rènzhēn de xuéxí study seriously

Reduplication 慢慢地走 mànmàn de zǒu walk slowly

Fixed adverb 经常学习 jīngcháng xuéxí often study

Degree adverb + adjective 非常好 fēicháng hǎo very good

Adverb + verb 已经吃了 yǐjīng chī le already ate

Adverb + adjective 更大 gèng dà bigger

Adverb + modal 一定会 yídìng huì definitely will

Adverb + negation 根本不 gēnběn bù absolutely not

28. The basic position of Chinese adverbs

The most important general rule is:

Subject + Adverb + Verb/Adjective

我经常看书。

wǒ jīngcháng kàn shū

I often read books.

他已经回家了。

tā yǐjīng huí jiā le

He has already gone home.

她非常漂亮。

tā fēicháng piàoliang

She is very beautiful.

With multiple adverbs, they can stack:

他昨天已经很认真地学习了。

tā zuótiān yǐjīng hěn rènzhēn de xuéxí le

He studied very seriously yesterday.

A useful simplified order is:

Subject → Time → Scope/Frequency → Negation → Modal → Degree → Manner → Verb → Object

For example:

我昨天也没有认真地读这本书。

wǒ zuótiān yě méiyǒu rènzhēn de dú zhè běn shū

I also did not read this book carefully yesterday.

10- CONJUNCTIONS:

Chinese Pinyin English

和 hé and

跟 gēn and; with

同 tóng and; with

与 yǔ and; with

及 jí and

以及 yǐjí and; as well as

而 ér and; while; whereas

及其 jíqí and its/their

并 bìng and; furthermore

并且 bìngqiě and; furthermore

而且 érqiě moreover; furthermore

Examples

我和他一起去。

wǒ hé tā yìqǐ qù

He and I are going together.

他聪明而且努力。

tā cōngming érqiě nǔlì

He is intelligent and hardworking.

他会说中文以及英文。

tā huì shuō Zhōngwén yǐjí Yīngwén

He can speak Chinese as well as English.

2. Paired additive conjunctions — 关联词

Formation Pinyin English

又……又…… yòu...yòu... both...and...

既……又…… jì...yòu... both...and...

既……也…… jì...yě... both...and...

既……还…… jì...hái... both...and...

不但……而且…… bùdàn...érqiě... not only...but also...

不仅……而且…… bùjǐn...érqiě... not only...but also...

不仅……还…… bùjǐn...hái... not only...but also...

不仅……也…… bùjǐn...yě... not only...but also...

不但……还…… bùdàn...hái... not only...but also...

不但……也…… bùdàn...yě... not only...but also...

他又聪明又努力。

tā yòu cōngming yòu nǔlì

He is both intelligent and hardworking.

他不仅会中文，而且会英文。

tā bùjǐn huì Zhōngwén, érqiě huì Yīngwén

He can speak not only Chinese but also English.

3. Alternative conjunctions — 选择连词

“or”

Chinese Pinyin English

或 huò or

或者 huòzhě or

抑或 yìhuò or; alternatively

还是 háishì or

要么 yàome either; or

要不 yàobù or else

要不然 yàobùrán otherwise; or else

不然 bùrán otherwise; or else

不然的话 bùrán de huà otherwise

Important distinction

或者 (huòzhě) is normally used in statements:

你可以喝茶或者咖啡。

nǐ kěyǐ hē chá huòzhě kāfēi

You can drink tea or coffee.

还是 (háishì) is especially common in questions:

你喝茶还是咖啡？

nǐ hē chá háishì kāfēi

Do you want tea or coffee?

Paired alternatives

Formation Pinyin English

或者……或者…… huòzhě...huòzhě... either...or...

或……或…… huò...huò... either...or...

要么……要么…… yàome...yàome... either...or...

不是……就是…… búshì...jiùshì... either...or...

是……还是…… shì...háishì... is it...or...

与其……不如…… yǔqí...bùrú... rather than...

宁可……也不…… nìngkě...yě bù... would rather...than...

宁愿……也不…… nìngyuàn...yě bù... would rather...than...

宁可……也要…… nìngkě...yě yào... would rather...but still...

4. Contrastive conjunctions — 转折连词

Chinese Pinyin English

但 dàn but

但是 dànshì but

可是 kěshì but

可 kě but

然而 rán'ér however

不过 búguò however; but

而 ér whereas; while

却 què but; yet

反而 fǎn'ér instead; on the contrary

反倒 fǎndào instead

只是 zhǐshì it's just that; only

只不过 zhǐbúguò it's just that

倒是 dàoshi instead; actually

反是 fǎnshì conversely; instead

Examples

我很累，但是我还要工作。

wǒ hěn lèi, dànshì wǒ hái yào gōngzuò

I am tired, but I still have to work.

他很年轻，却很有经验。

tā hěn niánqīng, què hěn yǒu jīngyàn

He is young, yet he has a lot of experience.

5. Paired contrastive conjunctions

Formation Pinyin English

虽然……但是…… suīrán...dànshì... although...but...

虽然……可是…… suīrán...kěshì... although...but...

虽然……然而…… suīrán...rán'ér... although...however...

虽然……却…… suīrán...què... although...yet...

虽然……可是…… suīrán...kěshì... although...but...

尽管……但是…… jǐnguǎn...dànshì... although...but...

尽管……可是…… jǐnguǎn...kěshì... although...but...

尽管……却…… jǐnguǎn...què... although...yet...

虽……但…… suī...dàn... although...but...

虽……然…… suī...rán... although...but...

虽然下雨，但是我们还是去了。

suīrán xiàyǔ, dànshì wǒmen háishì qù le

Although it was raining, we still went.

6. Causal conjunctions — 因果连词

“because”

Chinese Pinyin English

因为 yīnwèi because

由于 yóuyú because; due to

因 yīn because of; due to

缘于 yuányú be due to; originate from

鉴于 jiànyú in view of; considering that

由于…… yóuyú... because of...

Examples

因为下雨，所以我没去。

yīnwèi xiàyǔ, suǒyǐ wǒ méi qù

Because it rained, I didn't go.

由于天气不好，比赛取消了。

yóuyú tiānqì bù hǎo, bǐsài qǔxiāo le

Because of the bad weather, the game was cancelled.

7. Result/consequence conjunctions — 结果关系

Chinese Pinyin English

所以 suǒyǐ therefore; so

因此 yīncǐ therefore

因而 yīn'ér thus; consequently

故 gù therefore; thus

故而 gù'ér therefore

于是 yúshì therefore; then

从而 cóng'ér thereby

遂 suì consequently; then

以致 yǐzhì so that; to the extent that

以至 yǐzhì so that; to such an extent that

以至于 yǐzhìyú so that; to the extent that

Important classification

所以、因此、因而、于是 are often classified more precisely as conjunctive adverbs / connective words, rather than strict conjunctions.

For a broad learner list, however, they are commonly taught together with Chinese conjunctions.

8. Purpose conjunctions — 目的关系

Chinese Pinyin English

为了 wèile in order to

以便 yǐbiàn so that; in order to

以免 yǐmiǎn so as not to; lest

免得 miǎnde so as not to

省得 shěngde so as not to

以求 yǐqiú in order to seek

以期 yǐqī with the aim of

以图 yǐtú in order to

以免得 yǐmiǎnde so as not to

为了学习中文，他每天都读书。

wèile xuéxí Zhōngwén, tā měitiān dōu dú shū

In order to learn Chinese, he reads every day.

请早点出发，以免迟到。

qǐng zǎodiǎn chūfā, yǐmiǎn chídào

Leave early so as not to be late.

9. Conditional conjunctions — 条件连词

Chinese Pinyin English

如果 rúguǒ if

若 ruò if

若是 ruòshì if

若果 ruòguǒ if

假如 jiǎrú if

假若 jiǎruò if

假使 jiǎshǐ if

倘若 tǎngruò if

倘使 tǎngshǐ if

要是 yàoshi if

要 yào if; should

一旦 yídàn once; if once

万一 wànyī if by any chance

只要 zhǐyào as long as

只有 zhǐyǒu only if

除非 chúfēi unless

唯有 wéiyǒu only if

惟有 wéiyǒu only if

不论 bùlùn regardless of

无论 wúlùn regardless of

不管 bùguǎn no matter

任凭 rènpíng regardless of

10. Main conditional patterns

Formation Pinyin English

如果……就…… rúguǒ...jiù... if...then...

如果……那么…… rúguǒ...nàme... if...then...

如果……那么就…… rúguǒ...nàme jiù... if...then...

若……则…… ruò...zé... if...then...

假如……就…… jiǎrú...jiù... if...then...

假使……就…… jiǎshǐ...jiù... if...then...

只要……就…… zhǐyào...jiù... as long as...then...

只有……才…… zhǐyǒu...cái... only if...then...

除非……否则…… chúfēi...fǒuzé... unless...otherwise...

除非……才…… chúfēi...cái... unless...only then...

一旦……就…… yídàn...jiù... once...then...

不管……都…… bùguǎn...dōu... no matter...all...

无论……都…… wúlùn...dōu... no matter...all...

不论……都…… bùlùn...dōu... regardless...all...

Example

如果你喜欢，就拿走吧。

rúguǒ nǐ xǐhuan, jiù ná zǒu ba

If you like it, take it.

只有努力才能成功。

zhǐyǒu nǔlì cái néng chénggōng

Only through hard work can one succeed.

11. Concessive conjunctions — 让步连词

Chinese Pinyin English

虽然 suīrán although

虽 suī although

尽管 jǐnguǎn although

即使 jíshǐ even if

即便 jíbiàn even if

就算 jiùsuàn even if

就是 jiùshì even if; even though

哪怕 nǎpà even if

纵使 zòngshǐ even if

纵然 zòngrán even though

哪管 nǎguǎn regardless of

任凭 rènpíng regardless of

不论 bùlùn regardless of

无论 wúlùn regardless of

不管 bùguǎn no matter

Paired patterns

Formation English

虽然……但是…… although...but...

虽然……可是…… although...but...

虽然……却…… although...yet...

即使……也…… even if...still...

即便……也…… even if...still...

就算……也…… even if...still...

哪怕……也…… even if...still...

无论……都…… no matter...all...

不管……都…… no matter...all...

不论……都…… regardless...all...

12. Temporal conjunctions — 时间连词

Chinese Pinyin English

当 dāng when; while

当……时 dāng...shí when...

当……的时候 dāng...de shíhou when...

当……之时 dāng...zhī shí when...

当……之际 dāng...zhī jì when; at the time

在……时 zài...shí when...

在……的时候 zài...de shíhou when...

当时 dāngshí at that time

每当 měidāng whenever

每逢 měiféng whenever

一旦 yídàn once

一……就…… yī...jiù... as soon as...

一……便…… yī...biàn... as soon as...

一经 yìjīng once; upon

等到 děngdào when; until

直到 zhídào until

直至 zhízhì until

自从 zìcóng since

从……以来 cóng...yǐlái since...

自……以来 zì...yǐlái since...

在……以前 zài...yǐqián before...

在……之后 zài...zhīhòu after...

在……之前 zài...zhīqián before...

在……以后 zài...yǐhòu after...

Important

Some of these are technically prepositional phrases or temporal constructions, not simple conjunctions.

For example:

在他回来以后，我才走。

zài tā huílái yǐhòu, wǒ cái zǒu

I didn't leave until after he came back.

13. Comparative conjunctions — 比较关系

Chinese Pinyin English

如 rú as; like

如同 rútóng like; as

好像 hǎoxiàng as if; like

仿佛 fǎngfú as if

彷佛 fǎngfú as if

犹如 yóurú just like

恰如 qiàrú exactly like

宛如 wǎnrú just like

不如 bùrú not as...as; rather than

与其 yǔqí rather than

比 bǐ than; compared with

比起 bǐqǐ compared with

较之 jiàozhī compared with

相比 xiāngbǐ compared with

他像他爸爸一样高。

tā xiàng tā bàba yíyàng gāo

He is as tall as his father.

与其坐车，不如走路。

yǔqí zuò chē, bùrú zǒu lù

Rather than take a car, it is better to walk.

Important classification

比 (bǐ) is normally classified as a preposition/comparison marker, not a conjunction.

14. Manner / similarity conjunctions

Chinese Pinyin English

如 rú as

如同 rútóng as; just like

好像 hǎoxiàng as if

仿佛 fǎngfú as if

彷佛 fǎngfú as if

犹如 yóurú just as; like

宛如 wǎnrú just like

恰如 qiàrú exactly like

好比 hǎobǐ just like; comparable to

似的 shìde as if; like

他跑得好像风一样快。

tā pǎo de hǎoxiàng fēng yíyàng kuài

He runs as fast as the wind.

15. Complement/content conjunctions

Chinese frequently uses conjunction-like words to introduce a content clause.

Chinese Pinyin English

说 shuō that; saying

认为 rènwéi that; believe that

觉得 juéde that; feel that

以为 yǐwéi think that

知道 zhīdào know that

发现 fāxiàn discover that

证明 zhèngmíng prove that

表明 biǎomíng show that

声称 shēngchēng claim that

But 说、认为、觉得、知道 are actually verbs, not conjunctions.

Chinese commonly has a zero complementizer:

我知道他来了。

wǒ zhīdào tā lái le

I know that he came.

English requires “that” here, but Mandarin normally does not.

16. Whether / embedded-question conjunctions

Chinese Pinyin English

是否 shìfǒu whether

是否…… shìfǒu... whether...

是否……还是…… shìfǒu...háishì... whether...or...

是否……或者…… shìfǒu...huòzhě... whether...or...

是不是 shì bú shì whether or not

能不能 néng bù néng whether can

有没有 yǒu méiyǒu whether there is/has

来不来 lái bù lái whether to come

去不去 qù bù qù whether to go

好不好 hǎo bù hǎo whether it is good

Example

我不知道他来不来。

wǒ bù zhīdào tā lái bù lái

I don't know whether he is coming.

我不知道他是否会来。

wǒ bù zhīdào tā shìfǒu huì lái

I don't know whether he will come.

17. Negative conjunction constructions

Formation Pinyin English

不是……而是…… búshì...érshì... not...but...

不是……就是…… búshì...jiùshì... either...or...

不是……也不是…… búshì...yě búshì... neither...nor...

不但不……反而…… bùdàn bù...fǎn'ér... not only doesn't...but instead...

不仅不……反而…… bùjǐn bù...fǎn'ér... not only doesn't...but instead...

不……也不…… bù...yě bù... neither...nor...

无论不……都…… — not a normal standard pattern

他不是老师，而是医生。

tā búshì lǎoshī, érshì yīshēng

He isn't a teacher; he is a doctor.

18. Explanatory / appositional connectors

Chinese Pinyin English

即 jí namely; that is

即是 jíshì namely

即便 jíbiàn even if

就是 jiùshì that is; namely

也就是说 yě jiùshì shuō in other words

换句话说 huàn jù huà shuō in other words

也就是 yě jiùshì that is

所谓 suǒwèi so-called

换言之 huàn yán zhī in other words

These are mostly connective/discourse expressions, rather than strict conjunctions.

19. Correlative conjunctions — 关联词语

This is one of the most important parts of Chinese grammar.

Formation Pinyin English

因为……所以…… yīnwèi...suǒyǐ... because...so...

由于……因此…… yóuyú...yīncǐ... because...therefore...

既然……就…… jìrán...jiù... since...then...

如果……就…… rúguǒ...jiù... if...then...

如果……那么…… rúguǒ...nàme... if...then...

假如……就…… jiǎrú...jiù... if...then...

只要……就…… zhǐyào...jiù... as long as...then...

只有……才…… zhǐyǒu...cái... only if...then...

除非……否则…… chúfēi...fǒuzé... unless...otherwise...

虽然……但是…… suīrán...dànshì... although...but...

尽管……可是…… jǐnguǎn...kěshì... although...but...

即使……也…… jíshǐ...yě... even if...still...

就算……也…… jiùsuàn...yě... even if...still...

哪怕……也…… nǎpà...yě... even if...still...

不管……都…… bùguǎn...dōu... no matter...all...

无论……都…… wúlùn...dōu... no matter...all...

不论……都…… bùlùn...dōu... regardless...all...

不但……而且…… bùdàn...érqiě... not only...but also...

不仅……还…… bùjǐn...hái... not only...but also...

又……又…… yòu...yòu... both...and...

既……又…… jì...yòu... both...and...

不是……而是…… búshì...érshì... not...but...

不是……就是…… búshì...jiùshì... either...or...

与其……不如…… yǔqí...bùrú... rather than...

宁可……也…… nìngkě...yě... would rather...than...

一……就…… yī...jiù... as soon as...

越……越…… yuè...yuè... the more...the more...

越来越…… yuèláiyuè... increasingly...

20. “No matter” constructions

Chinese has a particularly productive structure:

疑问词 + 都/也

Formation Pinyin English

谁……都…… shéi...dōu... whoever...

什么……都…… shénme...dōu... whatever...

哪里……都…… nǎlǐ...dōu... wherever...

哪儿……都…… nǎr...dōu... wherever...

什么时候……都…… shénme shíhou...dōu... whenever...

怎么……都…… zěnme...dōu... however...

怎么样……都…… zěnmeyàng...dōu... no matter how...

多少……都…… duōshao...dōu... however many/much...

哪个……都…… nǎge...dōu... whichever...

哪怕……也…… nǎpà...yě... even if...

谁来我都欢迎。

shéi lái wǒ dōu huānyíng

Whoever comes, I welcome them.

无论你去哪里，我都跟你去。

wúlùn nǐ qù nǎlǐ, wǒ dōu gēn nǐ qù

No matter where you go, I'll go with you.

21. “The more..., the more...” conjunctions

Formation Pinyin English

越……越…… yuè...yuè... the more...the more...

越来越…… yuèláiyuè... more and more...

越发…… yuèfā... increasingly...

愈……愈…… yù...yù... the more...the more...

愈来愈…… yù lái yù... increasingly...

越是……越…… yuè shì...yuè... the more...the more...

你越练习，就越进步。

nǐ yuè liànxí, jiù yuè jìnbù

The more you practice, the more you improve.

22. “Since..., then...” — causal/assumptive

Formation Pinyin English

既然……就…… jìrán...jiù... since...then...

既然……那么…… jìrán...nàme... since...then...

既然……又…… jìrán...yòu... since...and...

既是……就…… jìshì...jiù... since...then...

既然你不想去，那就别去了。

jìrán nǐ bù xiǎng qù, nà jiù bié qù le

Since you don't want to go, then don't go.

23. Common connective words often grouped with conjunctions

These are not all strict 连词, but they are extremely important in Chinese sentence connection.

Chinese Pinyin English

所以 suǒyǐ therefore

因此 yīncǐ therefore

因而 yīn'ér thus

于是 yúshì therefore; then

然后 ránhòu then

接着 jiēzhe next

后来 hòulái later

不过 búguò however

反而 fǎn'ér instead

另外 lìngwài additionally

此外 cǐwài besides

同时 tóngshí meanwhile

总之 zǒngzhī in short

其实 qíshí actually

毕竟 bìjìng after all

反正 fǎnzhèng anyway

例如 lìrú for example

比如 bǐrú for example

因此 yīncǐ therefore

总而言之 zǒng'ér yán zhī in short

换句话说 huàn jù huà shuō in other words

也就是说 yě jiùshì shuō that is to say

24. Strict vs broad classification

This distinction is important because Chinese grammar books do not put every item above into the same grammatical class.

A. Strict/core conjunctions — 连词

The clearest examples include:

和 hé — and

以及 yǐjí — as well as

而 ér — and/whereas

并且 bìngqiě — and

或者 huòzhě — or

但是 dànshì — but

可是 kěshì — but

然而 rán'ér — however

因为 yīnwèi — because

而且 érqiě — moreover

如果 rúguǒ — if

虽然 suīrán — although

尽管 jǐnguǎn — although

即使 jíshǐ — even if

以及 yǐjí — and/as well as

与其 yǔqí — rather than

不如 bùrú — rather than/better than.

B. Correlative conjunctions — 关联词

These are extremely important in practical Chinese:

因为……所以……

yīnwèi...suǒyǐ...

如果……就……

rúguǒ...jiù...

只要……就……

zhǐyào...jiù...

只有……才……

zhǐyǒu...cái...

虽然……但是……

suīrán...dànshì...

即使……也……

jíshǐ...yě...

不但……而且……

bùdàn...érqiě...

不是……而是……

búshì...érshì...

无论……都……

wúlùn...dōu...

越……越……

yuè...yuè...

一……就……

yī...jiù...

C. Connective adverbs — 关联副词 / 连接副词

These connect clauses but are more accurately adverbs:

所以 suǒyǐ — therefore

因此 yīncǐ — therefore

因而 yīn'ér — thus

于是 yúshì — therefore/then

然后 ránhòu — then

后来 hòulái — later

反而 fǎn'ér — instead

此外 cǐwài — besides

另外 lìngwài — additionally

其实 qíshí — actually

总之 zǒngzhī — in short.

D. Not conjunctions

Some things that English speakers may expect to be conjunctions are actually other categories:

比 bǐ — comparison preposition/marker

给 gěi — preposition/verb

在 zài — preposition/verb

从 cóng — preposition

对 duì — preposition

跟 gēn — preposition/verb/conjunction depending on usage

然后 ránhòu — usually connective adverb

所以 suǒyǐ — connective adverb

因此 yīncǐ — connective adverb

因为 yīnwèi — conjunction or preposition-like causal word depending on construction

说 shuō — verb, not conjunction

觉得 juéde — verb, not conjunction

好像 hǎoxiàng — verb/adverb-like expression

还是 háishì — conjunction in alternatives, but also has other uses

都 dōu — adverb

也 yě — adverb

才 cái — adverb

就 jiù — adverb

又 yòu — adverb

再 zài — adverb

11- PREPOSITIONS:

Chinese Pinyin English Main function

在 zài at; in; on location

到 dào to; until destination/time

从 cóng from source

自 zì from; since source/time, formal

自从 zìcóng since starting point

向 xiàng toward; to direction

往 wǎng toward; to direction

朝 cháo toward direction

对 duì toward; to target

对于 duìyú regarding; toward topic/target

关于 guānyú about; concerning topic

至于 zhìyú as for topic

对于 duìyú regarding topic

给 gěi to; for recipient

替 tì for; on behalf of substitution

为 wèi for; for the sake of beneficiary

为了 wèile for the purpose of purpose

跟 gēn with; to accompaniment/target

和 hé with accompaniment

同 tóng with accompaniment

与 yǔ with accompaniment

用 yòng with; by means of instrument

以 yǐ with; by means of means/formal

靠 kào by; relying on means/reliance

凭 píng by; relying on basis/means

按 àn according to standard

按照 ànzhào according to standard

依 yī according to basis/formal

依照 yīzhào according to basis

根据 gēnjù according to; based on basis

遵照 zūnzhào in accordance with authority/rule

依据 yījù according to; based on basis

比 bǐ than; compared with comparison

被 bèi by passive

叫 jiào by passive

让 ràng by passive

给 gěi by passive/colloquial

由 yóu by; through agent/responsibility

经 jīng through; via route/process

经过 jīngguò through; via route/process

通过 tōngguò through; by means of means

趁 chèn while; taking advantage of circumstance

趁着 chènzhe while; taking advantage of circumstance

趁此 chèncǐ taking this opportunity circumstance

随 suí along with; according to following

随着 suízhe along with; as accompanying change

除 chú except exclusion

除了 chúle except; besides exclusion/addition

除去 chúqù except; excluding exclusion

除却 chúquè except exclusion, literary

除开 chúkāi except exclusion

除外 chúwài except exclusion

关于 guānyú about topic

针对 zhēnduì aimed at; in response to target

针对性地 zhēnduìxìng de specifically toward target

面对 miànduì facing; in the face of situation

面向 miànxiàng toward; oriented toward target

由于 yóuyú because of; due to cause

因 yīn because of cause

因为 yīnwèi because of cause

鉴于 jiànyú in view of cause/context

由于 yóuyú due to cause

依据 yījù on the basis of basis

沿 yán along route

沿着 yánzhe along route

顺 shùn along; following route

顺着 shùnzhe along; following route

当 dāng at; when time

于 yú at; in; to; from formal

及 jí until; reaching formal/time

至 zhì until; to formal

自从 zìcóng since time

从 cóng from; since time/source

直到 zhídào until endpoint

直至 zhízhì until endpoint

2. Location prepositions — 处所介词

These indicate where something is.

Chinese Pinyin English

在 zài at; in; on

于 yú at; in; on

当 dāng at; during

位于 wèiyú be located in

处于 chǔyú be in; be situated in

坐落于 zuòluò yú be located in

位在 wèi zài be located at

居于 jūyú be situated in

居于 jūyú be in; occupy

Example

我在家。

wǒ zài jiā

I am at home.

学校位于市中心。

xuéxiào wèiyú shì zhōngxīn

The school is located in the city center.

在 is the core everyday location preposition.

于 is much more formal/written.

3. Direction/destination prepositions — 方向介词

Chinese Pinyin English

向 xiàng toward; to

往 wǎng toward; to

朝 cháo toward

对 duì toward

到 dào to

至 zhì to; until

往往 wǎngwǎng often — not a direction preposition

面向 miànxiàng toward; facing

朝向 cháoxiàng toward; facing

Examples

他向我走来。

tā xiàng wǒ zǒu lái

He walked toward me.

我们往北京走。

wǒmen wǎng Běijīng zǒu

We are heading toward Beijing.

孩子朝门口跑去。

háizi cháo ménkǒu pǎo qù

The child ran toward the doorway.

4. Source/origin prepositions — 来源介词

Chinese Pinyin English

从 cóng from

自 zì from

自从 zìcóng since

由 yóu from; by

打 dǎ from; starting from, colloquial

离 lí from; away from

距 jù from; at a distance from

距离 jùlí from; at a distance from

出自 chūzì from; originating from

来自 láizì come from

源于 yuányú originate from

起自 qǐzì begin from

始于 shǐyú begin from

Examples

我从北京来。

wǒ cóng Běijīng lái

I come from Beijing.

他来自中国。

tā láizì Zhōngguó

He comes from China.

学校离这里很远。

xuéxiào lí zhèlǐ hěn yuǎn

The school is far from here.

5. Recipient / target — 对象介词

Chinese Pinyin English

给 gěi to; for

对 duì toward; to

对于 duìyú toward; regarding

向 xiàng to; toward

朝 cháo toward

跟 gēn to; with

同 tóng with

和 hé with

与 yǔ with

对着 duìzhe toward; facing

Examples

我给他一本书。

wǒ gěi tā yì běn shū

I gave him a book.

我对他说话。

wǒ duì tā shuōhuà

I spoke to him.

我们向老师提问。

wǒmen xiàng lǎoshī tíwèn

We asked the teacher a question.

6. Beneficiary — 受益者

Chinese Pinyin English

给 gěi for

为 wèi for; for the benefit of

替 tì for; on behalf of

代 dài on behalf of

替代 tìdài instead of/replacing

为了 wèile for the sake of

Examples

我为你做饭。

wǒ wèi nǐ zuò fàn

I cook for you.

我替他工作。

wǒ tì tā gōngzuò

I work on his behalf.

7. Accompaniment — 伴随介词

Chinese Pinyin English

跟 gēn with

和 hé with

同 tóng with

与 yǔ with

随 suí along with

随着 suízhe along with; as

带着 dàizhe with; carrying

连同 liántóng together with

偕同 xiétóng together with, formal

同着 tóngzhe together with, literary

我跟朋友一起去。

wǒ gēn péngyou yìqǐ qù

I went with my friend.

随着时间的变化，他改变了。

suízhe shíjiān de biànhuà, tā gǎibiàn le

As time changed, he changed.

8. Instrument / means — 工具、手段介词

Chinese Pinyin English

用 yòng with; using

以 yǐ with; by means of

通过 tōngguò through; by means of

经由 jīngyóu via; through

借 jiè by means of; using

凭 píng by; relying on

靠 kào by means of; relying on

依靠 yīkào relying on

借助 jièzhù with the help of

运用 yùnyòng using; by employing

利用 lìyòng using; by means of

我用中文写信。

wǒ yòng Zhōngwén xiě xìn

I write the letter in Chinese.

我们通过网络学习。

wǒmen tōngguò wǎngluò xuéxí

We study through the internet.

9. Basis / standard — 依据介词

Chinese Pinyin English

按 àn according to

按照 ànzhào according to

依 yī according to

依照 yīzhào according to

根据 gēnjù according to; based on

依据 yījù according to; based on

遵照 zūnzhào in accordance with

依照 yīzhào in accordance with

按照 ànzhào according to

依循 yīxún according to; following

按照……来看 ànzhào...lái kàn judging according to...

Example

根据法律，不能这样做。

gēnjù fǎlǜ, bù néng zhèyàng zuò

According to the law, this cannot be done.

按照计划，我们明天出发。

ànzhào jìhuà, wǒmen míngtiān chūfā

According to the plan, we will leave tomorrow.

10. Comparison prepositions — 比较介词

Chinese Pinyin English

比 bǐ than; compared with

跟 gēn compared with

和 hé compared with

同 tóng compared with

与 yǔ compared with

比起 bǐqǐ compared with

相比 xiāngbǐ compared with

较之 jiàozhī compared with

较 jiào comparatively

不如 bùrú not as...as

胜过 shèngguò surpassing

超过 chāoguò exceed; more than

Example

他比我高。

tā bǐ wǒ gāo

He is taller than me.

跟去年相比，今年更好。

gēn qùnián xiāngbǐ, jīnnián gèng hǎo

Compared with last year, this year is better.

比 is traditionally classified as a preposition in many Chinese grammar descriptions, but 不如、超过、胜过 can also be analyzed as verbs/comparison predicates depending on construction.

11. Passive prepositions — 被动介词

These introduce the agent of a passive construction.

Chinese Pinyin English

被 bèi by

给 gěi by

叫 jiào by

让 ràng by

受 shòu be subjected to

为 wéi by, formal/literary

叫做 jiàozuò be called — not normally a passive preposition

Example

他被老师批评了。

tā bèi lǎoshī pīpíng le

He was criticized by the teacher.

他让别人骗了。

tā ràng biérén piàn le

He was cheated by someone.

Passive pattern

Subject + 被 + Agent + Verb + ...

书被他拿走了。

shū bèi tā ná zǒu le

The book was taken away by him.

12. Agent / responsibility — 施事介词

Chinese Pinyin English

被 bèi by

由 yóu by

为 wéi by

经 jīng through/by

经由 jīngyóu via; through

这件事由他负责。

zhè jiàn shì yóu tā fùzé

He is responsible for this matter.

这个决定由经理作出。

zhège juédìng yóu jīnglǐ zuòchū

This decision was made by the manager.

13. Cause / reason — 原因介词

Chinese Pinyin English

因 yīn because of

因为 yīnwèi because of

由于 yóuyú because of; due to

为 wèi because of; for

鉴于 jiànyú in view of

缘于 yuányú due to

出于 chūyú out of; because of

由于……所致 yóuyú...suǒzhì caused by

因……而…… yīn...ér... because of...

由于天气恶劣，航班取消了。

yóuyú tiānqì èliè, hángbān qǔxiāo le

Due to bad weather, the flight was cancelled.

他出于好意帮助我。

tā chūyú hǎoyì bāngzhù wǒ

He helped me out of goodwill.

14. Purpose — 目的介词

Chinese Pinyin English

为 wèi for

为了 wèile for the purpose of

为着 wèizhe for the sake of

以 yǐ in order to

以便 yǐbiàn so as to

以免 yǐmiǎn so as not to

旨在 zhǐzài aimed at

为的是 wèide shì for the purpose of

为了学习中文，我每天练习。

wèile xuéxí Zhōngwén, wǒ měitiān liànxí

In order to learn Chinese, I practice every day.

15. Topic / reference — 对象、范围

Chinese Pinyin English

关于 guānyú about; concerning

对于 duìyú regarding

至于 zhìyú as for

关于…… guānyú... concerning...

对 duì toward; regarding

针对 zhēnduì aimed at; regarding

就 jiù concerning; regarding

至于 zhìyú as for

关于这个问题，我不知道。

guānyú zhège wèntí, wǒ bù zhīdào

Regarding this question, I don't know.

对于学生来说，这很重要。

duìyú xuéshēng lái shuō, zhè hěn zhòngyào

For students, this is very important.

16. Opposition / target

Chinese Pinyin English

对 duì toward

针对 zhēnduì aimed at

面对 miànduì facing

面向 miànxiàng toward

反对 fǎnduì against

针对…… zhēnduì... against/toward

对抗 duìkàng against

Some of these are actually verbs, not strict prepositions.

17. Exclusion — 排除

Chinese Pinyin English

除 chú except

除了 chúle except; besides

除去 chúqù except; excluding

除却 chúquè except

除开 chúkāi except

除外 chúwài except

不包括 bù bāokuò not including

不计 bújì excluding; not counting

“Besides” has two meanings

除了他以外，大家都来了。

chúle tā yǐwài, dàjiā dōu lái le

Everyone came except him.

除了中文以外，我还学习阿拉伯语。

chúle Zhōngwén yǐwài, wǒ hái xuéxí Ālābóyǔ

Besides Chinese, I also study Arabic.

18. Route / path — 路径介词

Chinese Pinyin English

经 jīng via; through

经过 jīngguò through

经由 jīngyóu via

通过 tōngguò through

沿 yán along

沿着 yánzhe along

顺 shùn along

顺着 shùnzhe along

由 yóu through; via

从 cóng from

我们经过上海去北京。

wǒmen jīngguò Shànghǎi qù Běijīng

We go to Beijing via Shanghai.

沿着这条路走。

yánzhe zhè tiáo lù zǒu

Walk along this road.

19. Distance — 距离

Chinese Pinyin English

离 lí from; away from

距 jù from; at a distance from

距离 jùlí from; distance from

相距 xiāngjù be separated by

我家离学校很近。

wǒ jiā lí xuéxiào hěn jìn

My home is close to the school.

北京距上海很远。

Běijīng jù Shànghǎi hěn yuǎn

Beijing is far from Shanghai.

20. Time prepositions — 时间介词

Chinese Pinyin English

在 zài at; during

当 dāng at; during

于 yú at; in

从 cóng from; since

自 zì from; since

自从 zìcóng since

到 dào until

至 zhì until

直到 zhídào until

直至 zhízhì until

在……之前 zài...zhīqián before

在……以后 zài...yǐhòu after

在……期间 zài...qījiān during

在……之际 zài...zhījì at the time of

趁 chèn while

随着 suízhe as; with the passage/change of

在吃饭的时候，他来了。

zài chīfàn de shíhou, tā lái le

He came while we were eating.

自从去年以来，我一直住在这里。

zìcóng qùnián yǐlái, wǒ yìzhí zhù zài zhèlǐ

I have lived here since last year.

21. “As / with change” — 随着

随着 suízhe is extremely useful.

随着年龄的增长，他越来越成熟。

suízhe niánlíng de zēngzhǎng, tā yuèláiyuè chéngshú

As he gets older, he becomes more and more mature.

Pattern:

随着 + noun + 的 + change

= as / with...

22. “According to” group

These are worth memorizing together:

Chinese Pinyin English

按 àn according to

按照 ànzhào according to

根据 gēnjù according to

依据 yījù according to

依 yī according to

依照 yīzhào according to

遵照 zūnzhào in accordance with

按照…… ànzhào... according to...

依照…… yīzhào... according to...

根据…… gēnjù... based on...

按照规定办理。

ànzhào guīdìng bànlǐ

Handle it according to the regulations.

23. “Instead of / on behalf of”

Chinese Pinyin English

替 tì instead of; on behalf of

代 dài on behalf of

代替 dàitì instead of

代表 dàibiǎo on behalf of; representing

为 wèi for

以 yǐ in the capacity of

我替他回答。

wǒ tì tā huídá

I answered on his behalf.

他代表公司发言。

tā dàibiǎo gōngsī fāyán

He spoke on behalf of the company.

24. Formal/literary prepositions

These occur much more frequently in writing than everyday conversation.

Chinese Pinyin English

于 yú at; in; to; from

以 yǐ with; by means of

自 zì from; since

由 yóu by; through

为 wéi by; as

于此 yúcǐ here; at this

于此处 yúcǐchù at this place

于今 yújīn until now

自此 zìcǐ from this point

自此以后 zìcǐ yǐhòu from then on

及 jí up to; until

至 zhì to; until

迄 qì until; up to

迄今 qìjīn up to now

关于 guānyú concerning

鉴于 jiànyú in view of

缘于 yuányú due to

出于 chūyú out of; because of

源于 yuányú originate from

25. Common compound prepositional expressions

Chinese frequently combines a preposition with another element to create a fixed prepositional phrase.

Chinese Pinyin English

关于 guānyú concerning

对于 duìyú regarding

至于 zhìyú as for

由于 yóuyú due to

出于 chūyú out of

鉴于 jiànyú in view of

源于 yuányú originating from

基于 jīyú based on

鉴于 jiànyú considering

针对 zhēnduì aimed at

面对 miànduì facing

面向 miànxiàng toward

通过 tōngguò through

经由 jīngyóu via

根据 gēnjù according to

依据 yījù based on

按照 ànzhào according to

依照 yīzhào according to

遵照 zūnzhào in accordance with

随着 suízhe along with/as

沿着 yánzhe along

顺着 shùnzhe along

除了 chúle except/besides

为了 wèile for the purpose of

关于 guānyú about

相对于 xiāngduìyú relative to

相比于 xiāngbǐyú compared with

针对于 zhēnduìyú directed toward

适用于 shìyòngyú applicable to

有关 yǒuguān concerning

关于 guānyú regarding

26. Very important: preposition + noun phrase + verb

The basic Chinese structure is:

Subject + Preposition + Object + Verb

在

我在家吃饭。

wǒ zài jiā chīfàn

I eat at home.

给

我给他买书。

wǒ gěi tā mǎi shū

I buy a book for him.

对

他对我说话。

tā duì wǒ shuōhuà

He speaks to me.

跟

我跟朋友聊天。

wǒ gēn péngyou liáotiān

I chat with my friend.

用

我用中文写。

wǒ yòng Zhōngwén xiě

I write in Chinese.

从

我从北京回来。

wǒ cóng Běijīng huílái

I came back from Beijing.

向

他向老师提问。

tā xiàng lǎoshī tíwèn

He asks the teacher a question.

27. Prepositions vs verbs

This is very important in Mandarin.

Many Chinese “prepositions” historically come from verbs and can still behave like verbs.

For example:

给

我给他一本书。

wǒ gěi tā yì běn shū

I give him a book.

Here 给 behaves like a verb.

But:

我给他买一本书。

wǒ gěi tā mǎi yì běn shū

I buy a book for him.

Here 给 is functioning as a preposition/coverb.

在

我在家。

wǒ zài jiā

I am at home.

我在家吃饭。

wǒ zài jiā chīfàn

I eat at home.

跟

我跟他聊天。

wǒ gēn tā liáotiān

I chat with him.

Here 跟 can be analyzed as a preposition/conjunction depending on the construction.

28. Important coverbs

Chinese grammar often uses the term 介词 (jiècí) for what English learners may call coverbs.

Common coverbs:

Chinese Pinyin English

在 zài at/in

从 cóng from

到 dào to

向 xiàng toward

往 wǎng toward

朝 cháo toward

对 duì toward

给 gěi to/for

跟 gēn with

和 hé with

同 tóng with

为 wèi for

替 tì for/on behalf of

用 yòng using

以 yǐ by means of

被 bèi by

让 ràng by

叫 jiào by

由 yóu by

按 àn according to

按照 ànzhào according to

根据 gēnjù according to

比 bǐ compared with

离 lí from/away from

沿 yán along

趁 chèn while

随 suí along with

随着 suízhe along with/as

除了 chúle except/besides

关于 guānyú concerning

对于 duìyú regarding

由于 yóuyú due to

通过 tōngguò through

经过 jīngguò through/via

12- DETERMINERS

1. Demonstrative determiners

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example Translation

this 这 zhè 这本书 this book

this + classifier 这个 zhège 这个人 this person

these 这些 zhèxiē 这些书 these books

that 那 nà 那本书 that book

that + classifier 那个 nàge 那个人 that person

those 那些 nàxiē 那些书 those books

this kind of 这种 zhè zhǒng 这种方法 this kind of method

that kind of 那种 nà zhǒng 那种方法 that kind of method

this sort of 这类 zhè lèi 这类问题 this type of problem

that sort of 那类 nà lèi 那类问题 that type of problem

such a 这样的 zhèyàng de 这样的情况 such a situation

such a 这种的 zhè zhǒng de 这种的东西 something of this kind

such a 那样的 nàyàng de 那样的人 that kind of person

Basic pattern:

这 / 那 + classifier + noun

zhè / nà + classifier + noun

这本书

zhè běn shū

= this book

2. Possessive determiners

Chinese does not have separate words corresponding exactly to English my, your, his, etc. Possession is normally:

Possessor + 的 + noun

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

my 我的 wǒ de 我的书

your 你的 nǐ de 你的书

his 他的 tā de 他的书

her 她的 tā de 她的书

its 它的 tā de 它的名字

our 我们的 wǒmen de 我们的学校

your (plural) 你们的 nǐmen de 你们的老师

their 他们的 tāmen de 他们的房子

their (female) 她们的 tāmen de 她们的朋友

its/their (nonhuman) 它们的 tāmen de 它们的食物

Possessive pattern

Possessor + 的 + Noun

我的书

wǒ de shū

= my book

老师的书

lǎoshī de shū

= the teacher's book

中国的历史

Zhōngguó de lìshǐ

= China's history / Chinese history

3. Reflexive/own determiner

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

one's own 自己的 zìjǐ de 自己的房子

my own 我自己的 wǒ zìjǐ de 我自己的房子

your own 你自己的 nǐ zìjǐ de 你自己的书

his/her own 他/她自己的 tā zìjǐ de 他自己的车

我自己的书

wǒ zìjǐ de shū

= my own book

4. Interrogative determiners

Chinese question words can modify nouns.

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example Translation

which 哪 nǎ 哪本书？ which book?

which one 哪一个 nǎ yí ge 哪一个人？ which person?

which + classifier 哪本 nǎ běn 哪本书？ which book?

which + classifier 哪张 nǎ zhāng 哪张票？ which ticket?

which + classifier 哪个 nǎge 哪个人？ which person?

whose 谁的 shéi de 谁的书？ whose book?

what 什么 shénme 什么书？ what book/books?

what kind of 什么样的 shénme yàng de 什么样的书？ what kind of book?

how many 几 jǐ 几本书？ how many books?

how much/many 多少 duōshao 多少本书？ how many books?

Important distinction

哪本书？

nǎ běn shū?

= Which book?

什么书？

shénme shū?

= What book / what kind of book?

谁的书？

shéi de shū?

= Whose book?

5. Indefinite determiners

Chinese has no exact equivalent of English a/an, but several constructions express indefiniteness.

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

a/one 一 + classifier yī + CL 一本书

a certain 某 mǒu 某个人

a certain 某个 mǒu ge 某个人

some 一些 yìxiē 一些书

some 有些 yǒuxiē 有些人

several 几个 jǐ ge 几个人

several 几本 jǐ běn 几本书

certain/some 某些 mǒuxiē 某些问题

a certain kind 某种 mǒu zhǒng 某种方法

one kind of 一种 yì zhǒng 一种方法

one of 一个 yí ge 一个人

any/some 什么 shénme 什么东西

somebody's/something's 某人的 mǒu rén de 某人的书

Examples

一本书

yì běn shū

= a book / one book

某个人

mǒu ge rén

= a certain person / someone

一些学生

yìxiē xuéshēng

= some students

6. Universal determiners

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

every/each 每 měi 每个人

every 每个 měi ge 每个学生

every 每一 měi yī 每一本书

all 所有 suǒyǒu 所有人

all 全部 quánbù 全部学生

all/whole 全 quán 全中国

every kind 各 gè 各种方法

every kind 各种 gè zhǒng 各种书

every type 各类 gè lèi 各类问题

each 各个 gège 各个人

each respective 各自的 gèzì de 各自的工作

every single 每一个 měi yí ge 每一个人

everyone/all people 人人 rénrén 人人都有机会

everyone 人人都 rénrén dōu 人人都知道

Examples

每个学生

měi ge xuéshēng

= every student

所有学生

suǒyǒu xuéshēng

= all students

各种书

gè zhǒng shū

= all kinds of books

7. Negative determiners

Chinese expresses negative determination mainly with 任何, 没有, 无, and negative pronouns.

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

any 任何 rènhé 任何人

any kind 任何一种 rènhé yì zhǒng 任何一种方法

any 任意 rènyì 任意一个

any/every 任一 rènyī 任一方案

no/not any 没有 méiyǒu 没有一个人

no/not any 无 wú 无任何问题

no 不曾有任何 bùcéng yǒu rènhé 不曾有任何问题

neither/no 哪个都不 nǎge dōu bù 哪个都不好

任何人

rènhé rén

= anyone / any person

没有一个学生

méiyǒu yí ge xuéshēng

= not a single student

8. Distributive determiners

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

each/every 每 měi 每个人

each 各 gè 各个人

each respectively 各自的 gèzì de 各自的房间

each one 每一个 měi yí ge 每一个人

each 一一 yīyī 一一说明

respectively 分别 fēnbié 分别讨论

The most important are:

每个学生

měi ge xuéshēng

= each/every student

各个学生

gège xuéshēng

= each individual student

9. Quantifier/determiner-like words

Chinese very commonly uses number + classifier + noun.

Basic structure

Number + Measure Word/Classifer + Noun

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

one 一 yī 一个人

two 两 liǎng 两个人

three 三 sān 三个人

several 几 jǐ 几个人

many/how many 多少 duōshao 多少个人

some 一些 yìxiē 一些人

many 许多 xǔduō 许多人

many 很多 hěn duō 很多人

few 少数 shǎoshù 少数人

most 大多数 dàduōshù 大多数人

majority 多数 duōshù 多数人

little/few 少许 shǎoxǔ 少许时间

enough 足够的 zúgòu de 足够的时间

whole amount 全部的 quánbù de 全部的东西

10. Numeral determiners

Chinese numerals themselves can determine nouns when combined with classifiers.

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

one 一 yī 一本书

two 两 liǎng 两本书

two (formal/numerical) 二 èr 二本书

three 三 sān 三本书

four 四 sì 四本书

five 五 wǔ 五本书

ten 十 shí 十本书

hundred 一百 yì bǎi 一百本书

thousand 一千 yì qiān 一千本书

first 第一 dì yī 第一本书

second 第二 dì èr 第二本书

first few 前几 qián jǐ 前几本书

last few 后几 hòu jǐ 后几本书

11. Ordinal determiners

Chinese uses 第 (dì).

第 + Number + Classifier + Noun

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

first 第一 dì yī 第一本书

second 第二 dì èr 第二个人

third 第三 dì sān 第三个问题

tenth 第十 dì shí 第十章

first one 第一个 dì yí ge 第一个人

next 下一个 xià yí ge 下一个人

previous 上一个 shàng yí ge 上一个问题

第一本书

dì yī běn shū

= the first book

12. Collective / whole-group determiners

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

all 所有 suǒyǒu 所有人

all 全部 quánbù 全部学生

entire/whole 整个 zhěnggè 整个城市

whole 整 zhěng 整个晚上

whole 整整 zhěngzhěng 整整三天

whole 全 quán 全国人民

entire 整体的 zhěngtǐ de 整体的情况

both 两个都 liǎng ge dōu 两个人都来了

both 两者 liǎngzhě 两者之间

Particularly important

整个城市

zhěnggè chéngshì

= the entire city

所有的人

suǒyǒu de rén

= all the people

13. Partitive determiners

Chinese does not have a direct equivalent of English some of, most of, half of as a single determiner class, but these constructions are extremely common.

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

some of 一些 yìxiē 一些学生

some of 一部分 yí bùfen 一部分学生

most of 大部分 dà bùfen 大部分学生

majority of 大多数 dàduōshù 大多数学生

minority of 少数 shǎoshù 少数学生

half of 一半 yí bàn 一半学生

half of 半 bàn 半杯水

a quarter of 四分之一 sì fēn zhī yī 四分之一的人

one third of 三分之一 sān fēn zhī yī 三分之一的学生

part of 部分 bùfen 部分学生

14. Similarity / identity determiners

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

same 同一个 tóng yí ge 同一个人

same 同样的 tóngyàng de 同样的东西

same 相同的 xiāngtóng de 相同的方法

another 另一个 lìng yí ge 另一个人

another 另一 lìng yī 另一种方法

other 其他 qítā 其他人

other 另外的 lìngwài de 另外的事情

remaining 剩下的 shèngxià de 剩下的钱

remaining 其余的 qíyú de 其余的人

15. General / free-choice determiners

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

any 任何 rènhé 任何人

any 任意 rènyì 任意一个

whichever 哪一个都 nǎ yí ge dōu 哪一个都可以

whoever 谁都 shéi dōu 谁都可以

whatever 什么都 shénme dōu 什么都可以

whichever 哪种都 nǎ zhǒng dōu 哪种都可以

every kind 各种 gè zhǒng 各种东西

all kinds 各式各样的 gèshì gèyàng de 各式各样的东西

16. Emphatic / restrictive determiner-like modifiers

These are not strict determiners, but they can modify or restrict noun phrases.

Meaning Chinese Pinyin Example

only 仅 jǐn 仅一个人

only 仅仅 jǐnjǐn 仅仅一个问题

only 只有 zhǐyǒu 只有一个人

merely 只是 zhǐshì 只是一个例子

exactly 正好 zhènghǎo 正好三个人

exactly 恰好 qiàhǎo 恰好三个人

even 连 lián 连一个人都没有

even 甚至 shènzhì 甚至一个孩子

at least 至少 zhìshǎo 至少三个人

at most 至多 zhìduō 至多三个人

17. Classifiers — essential to Chinese determination

Chinese classifiers are not technically determiners, but they are essential parts of many determiner constructions.

Common classifiers

Classifier Pinyin Used for Example

个 ge general 一个人

本 běn books 一本书

张 zhāng flat objects 一张纸

只 zhī animals/some objects 一只猫

条 tiáo long/flexible things 一条鱼

件 jiàn clothes/matters 一件衣服

辆 liàng vehicles 一辆车

台 tái machines 一台电脑

部 bù machines/films/phones 一部手机

杯 bēi cups/glasses of 一杯水

瓶 píng bottles 一瓶水

位 wèi people, polite 一位老师

名 míng people 一名学生

家 jiā businesses/organizations 一家公司

所 suǒ schools/hospitals/buildings 一所学校

间 jiān rooms/shops 一间房

座 zuò large buildings/mountains 一座山

棵 kē trees/plants 一棵树

朵 duǒ flowers/clouds 一朵花

封 fēng letters 一封信

首 shǒu poems/songs 一首歌

篇 piān articles 一篇文章

张 zhāng tickets/photos/paper 一张票

架 jià aircraft/machines 一架飞机

把 bǎ handled objects 一把刀

双 shuāng pairs 一双鞋

对 duì pairs/couples 一对夫妻

套 tào sets 一套房子

套 tào sets 一套书

群 qún groups 一群人

队 duì teams/groups 一队人

阵 zhèn periods/bursts 一阵风

场 chǎng events/rain/dreams 一场比赛

次 cì occurrences 一次机会

遍 biàn complete occurrences 一遍课文

18. Demonstrative + classifier combinations

This is one of the most important Chinese determiner patterns:

这/那 + Classifier + Noun

Chinese Pinyin English

这个人 zhège rén this person

那个人 nàge rén that person

这本书 zhè běn shū this book

那本书 nà běn shū that book

这张桌子 zhè zhāng zhuōzi this table

那张桌子 nà zhāng zhuōzi that table

这些书 zhèxiē shū these books

那些书 nàxiē shū those books

19. Determiner stacking

Chinese can combine several determiner-like elements:

Demonstrative + Quantity + Classifier + Possessor/Modifier + Noun

For example:

这三本我的书 ❌

This is normally unnatural.

Instead:

我的这三本书

wǒ de zhè sān běn shū

= these three books of mine

Or:

这三本书

zhè sān běn shū

= these three books

Or:

我的三本书

wǒ de sān běn shū

= my three books

20. The main Chinese determiner system

A useful master structure is:

[Demonstrative] + [Possessive] + [Number/Quantifier] + [Classifier] + [Noun]

Examples:

这本书

zhè běn shū

= this book

我的这本书

wǒ de zhè běn shū

= this book of mine

我的三本书

wǒ de sān běn shū

= my three books

这三本书

zhè sān běn shū

= these three books

所有这些书

suǒyǒu zhèxiē shū

= all these books

每一本书

měi yì běn shū

= every book

任何一本书

rènhé yì běn shū

= any book

13- IF CONDITIONAL

Zero Conditional 如果 + fact, 就 + result rúguǒ..., jiù... 如果水加热，就会沸腾。 rúguǒ shuǐ jiārè, jiù huì fèiténg. If water is heated, it boils.

First Conditional 如果 + condition, 就会 + verb rúguǒ..., jiù huì... 如果你学习，你就会通过考试。 rúguǒ nǐ xuéxí, nǐ jiù huì tōngguò kǎoshì. If you study, you will pass the exam.

Second Conditional 如果 + hypothetical, 就会 + verb rúguǒ..., jiù huì... 如果我有很多钱，我就会买一栋房子。 rúguǒ wǒ yǒu hěn duō qián, wǒ jiù huì mǎi yí dòng fángzi. If I had a lot of money, I would buy a house.

Third Conditional 如果 + verb + 了, 就会 + result rúguǒ... le, jiù huì... 如果我早点出发了，我就会赶上火车。 rúguǒ wǒ zǎodiǎn chūfā le, wǒ jiù huì gǎnshàng huǒchē. If I had left earlier, I would have caught the train.

Negative Conditional 如果不 + verb, 就... rúguǒ bù..., jiù... 如果你不努力，你就不会成功。 rúguǒ nǐ bù nǔlì, nǐ jiù bú huì chénggōng. If you don't work hard, you won't succeed.

Unless 除非...否则... chúfēi..., fǒuzé... 除非你现在出发，否则你会迟到。 chúfēi nǐ xiànzài chūfā, fǒuzé nǐ huì chídào. Unless you leave now, you will be late.

Even if 即使...也... jíshǐ..., yě... 即使下雨，我们也会去。 jíshǐ xiàyǔ, wǒmen yě huì qù. Even if it rains, we will go.

Only if 只有...才... zhǐyǒu..., cái... 只有努力学习，你才会成功。 zhǐyǒu nǔlì xuéxí, nǐ cái huì chénggōng. Only if you study hard will you succeed.

Present Simple 如果 + V，就 + V rúguǒ + V, jiù + V 如果你学习，你就成功。 rúguǒ nǐ xuéxí, nǐ jiù chénggōng. If you study, you succeed.

Present Continuous 如果 + 正在 + V，就 + V rúguǒ + zhèngzài + V, jiù + V 如果你正在学习，我就安静。 rúguǒ nǐ zhèngzài xuéxí, wǒ jiù ānjìng. If you are studying, I will be quiet.

Past Simple 如果 + V + 了，就 + V + 了 rúguǒ + V le, jiù + V le 如果你来了，我就走了。 rúguǒ nǐ lái le, wǒ jiù zǒu le. If you came, I left.

Past Continuous 如果 + 正在 + V，就 + V rúguǒ + zhèngzài + V, jiù + V 如果你当时正在学习，我就没有打扰你。 rúguǒ nǐ dāngshí zhèngzài xuéxí, wǒ jiù méiyǒu dǎrǎo nǐ. If you were studying then, I didn't disturb you.

Present Perfect 如果 + 已经 + V + 了，就 + V + 了 rúguǒ + yǐjīng + V le, jiù + V le 如果你已经吃了，我们就出发。 rúguǒ nǐ yǐjīng chī le, wǒmen jiù chūfā. If you have already eaten, we'll leave.

Past Perfect 如果 + 以前 + V + 了，就已经 + V + 了 rúguǒ + yǐqián + V le, jiù yǐjīng + V le 如果你以前告诉我了，我就已经准备好了。 rúguǒ nǐ yǐqián gàosu wǒ le, wǒ jiù yǐjīng zhǔnbèi hǎo le. If you had told me earlier, I would already have been prepared.

Present Perfect Continuous 如果 + 一直 + V，就一直 + V rúguǒ + yìzhí + V, jiù yìzhí + V 如果你一直学习，你就一直进步。 rúguǒ nǐ yìzhí xuéxí, nǐ jiù yìzhí jìnbù. If you have been studying continuously, you continue to improve.

Future Simple 如果 + V，就会 + V rúguǒ + V, jiù huì + V 如果你努力，你就会成功。 rúguǒ nǐ nǔlì, nǐ jiù huì chénggōng. If you work hard, you will succeed.

Future Continuous 如果 + 会正在 + V，就会 + V rúguǒ + huì zhèngzài + V, jiù huì + V 如果你明天这个时候会正在工作，我就不给你打电话。 rúguǒ nǐ míngtiān zhège shíhou huì zhèngzài gōngzuò, wǒ jiù bú gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà. If you will be working at this time tomorrow, I won't call you. (This is understandable but somewhat unnatural; Chinese usually says 明天这个时候如果你在工作....míngtiān zhège shíhou rúguǒ nǐ zài gōngzuò.)

Future Perfect 如果 + 已经 + V + 了，就会已经 + V + 了 rúguǒ + yǐjīng + V le, jiù huì yǐjīng + V le 如果你到明天已经写完了，我们就会开始检查。 rúguǒ nǐ dào míngtiān yǐjīng xiě wán le, wǒmen jiù huì kāishǐ jiǎnchá. If you have finished writing by tomorrow, we will begin checking.

明天这个时候如果你在工作....míngtiān zhège shíhou rúguǒ nǐ zài gōngzuò.

WORD BY WORD:

明天 míngtiān tomorrow

这个 zhège this

时候 shíhou time

如果 rúguǒ if

你 nǐ you

在 zài be in the process of / at

工作 gōngzuò work / working

Present Simple Negative 如果 + 不 + V，就 + 不 + V rúguǒ + bù + V, jiù + bù + V 如果你不学习，你就不懂中文。 rúguǒ nǐ bù xuéxí, nǐ jiù bù dǒng Zhōngwén. If you don't study, you don't understand Chinese.

Present Continuous Negative 如果 + 没有在 + V，就 + 不 + V rúguǒ + méiyǒu zài + V, jiù + bù + V 如果你没有在学习，你就不会进步。 rúguǒ nǐ méiyǒu zài xuéxí, nǐ jiù bú huì jìnbù. If you aren't studying, you won't improve.

Past Simple Negative 如果 + 没 + V，就 + 没 + V rúguǒ + méi + V, jiù + méi + V 如果你没来，我就没去。 rúguǒ nǐ méi lái, wǒ jiù méi qù. If you didn't come, I didn't go.

Past Continuous Negative 如果 + 没有在 + V，就 + 没有在 + V rúguǒ + méiyǒu zài + V, jiù + méiyǒu zài + V 如果你当时没有在工作，我就没有在等你。 rúguǒ nǐ dāngshí méiyǒu zài gōngzuò, wǒ jiù méiyǒu zài děng nǐ. If you weren't working then, I wasn't waiting for you.

Present Perfect Negative 如果 + 还没 + V，就 + 没 + V rúguǒ + hái méi + V, jiù + méi + V 如果你还没吃饭，我就没开始。 rúguǒ nǐ hái méi chīfàn, wǒ jiù méi kāishǐ. If you haven't eaten yet, I haven't started.

Past Perfect Negative 如果 + 以前没 + V，就 + 不会 + V rúguǒ + yǐqián méi + V, jiù + bú huì + V 如果你以前没告诉我，我就不会知道。 rúguǒ nǐ yǐqián méi gàosu wǒ, wǒ jiù bú huì zhīdào. If you hadn't told me before, I wouldn't have known.

Present Perfect Continuous Negative 如果 + 没一直 + V，就 + 没一直 + V rúguǒ + méi yìzhí + V, jiù + méi yìzhí + V 如果你没一直学习，你就没一直进步。 rúguǒ nǐ méi yìzhí xuéxí, nǐ jiù méi yìzhí jìnbù. If you haven't been studying continuously, you haven't been improving continuously.

Future Simple Negative 如果 + 不 + V，就 + 不会 + V rúguǒ + bù + V, jiù + bú huì + V 如果你不努力，你就不会成功。 rúguǒ nǐ bù nǔlì, nǐ jiù bú huì chénggōng. If you don't work hard, you won't succeed.

Future Continuous Negative 如果 + 不会在 + V，就 + 不会 + V rúguǒ + bú huì zài + V, jiù + bú huì + V 如果你明天这个时候不会在工作，我就会来看你。 rúguǒ nǐ míngtiān zhège shíhou bú huì zài gōngzuò, wǒ jiù huì lái kàn nǐ. If you won't be working at this time tomorrow, I'll come to see you. (A more natural Chinese version is: 如果你明天这个时候不在工作，我就会来看你。)

Future Perfect Negative 如果 + 还没 + V，就 + 不会 + V rúguǒ + hái méi + V, jiù + bú huì + V 如果你到明天还没写完，你就不会交作业。 rúguǒ nǐ dào míngtiān hái méi xiě wán, nǐ jiù bú huì jiāo zuòyè. If you haven't finished writing by tomorrow, you won't submit the homework.

Present Simple Passive 如果 + 被 + V，就 + 会被 + V rúguǒ + bèi + V, jiù huì bèi + V 如果这本书被使用，它就会被保存。 rúguǒ zhè běn shū bèi shǐyòng, tā jiù huì bèi bǎocún. If this book is used, it will be preserved.

Present Continuous Passive 如果 + 正在被 + V，就 + 正在被 + V rúguǒ + zhèngzài bèi + V, jiù + zhèngzài bèi + V 如果这封信正在被写，它就正在被检查。 rúguǒ zhè fēng xìn zhèngzài bèi xiě, tā jiù zhèngzài bèi jiǎnchá. If the letter is being written, it is being checked.

Past Simple Passive 如果 + 被 + V + 了，就 + 被 + V + 了 rúguǒ + bèi + V + le, jiù + bèi + V + le 如果门被关了，窗户也被关了。 rúguǒ mén bèi guān le, chuānghu yě bèi guān le. If the door was closed, the window was also closed.

Past Continuous Passive 如果 + 正在被 + V，就 + 正在被 + V rúguǒ + zhèngzài bèi + V, jiù + zhèngzài bèi + V 如果房子当时正在被修理，道路也正在被封闭。 rúguǒ fángzi dāngshí zhèngzài bèi xiūlǐ, dàolù yě zhèngzài bèi fēngbì. If the house was being repaired then, the road was also being closed.

Present Perfect Passive 如果 + 已经被 + V + 了，就 + 已经被 + V + 了 rúguǒ + yǐjīng bèi + V + le, jiù + yǐjīng bèi + V + le 如果信已经被写了，它就已经被寄出了。 rúguǒ xìn yǐjīng bèi xiě le, tā jiù yǐjīng bèi jì chū le. If the letter has been written, it has already been sent.

Past Perfect Passive 如果 + 已经被 + V + 了，就 + 已经被 + V + 了 rúguǒ + yǐjīng bèi + V + le, jiù + yǐjīng bèi + V + le 如果报告已经被完成了，它就已经被提交了。 rúguǒ bàogào yǐjīng bèi wánchéng le, tā jiù yǐjīng bèi tíjiāo le. If the report had been completed, it had already been submitted.

Present Perfect Continuous Passive 如果 + 一直被 + V，就 + 一直被 + V rúguǒ + yìzhí bèi + V, jiù + yìzhí bèi + V 如果机器一直被使用，它就一直被检查。 rúguǒ jīqì yìzhí bèi shǐyòng, tā jiù yìzhí bèi jiǎnchá. If the machine has been continually used, it has been continually inspected.

Future Simple Passive 如果 + 被 + V，就会被 + V rúguǒ + bèi + V, jiù huì bèi + V 如果文件被批准，它就会被公布。 rúguǒ wénjiàn bèi pīzhǔn, tā jiù huì bèi gōngbù. If the document is approved, it will be published.

Future Continuous Passive 如果 + 正在被 + V，就会被 + V rúguǒ + zhèngzài bèi + V, jiù huì bèi + V 如果桥明天这个时候正在被修理，它就会被暂时关闭。 rúguǒ qiáo míngtiān zhège shíhou zhèngzài bèi xiūlǐ, tā jiù huì bèi zànshí guānbì. If the bridge is being repaired at this time tomorrow, it will be temporarily closed.

Future Perfect Passive 如果 + 已经被 + V + 了，就会已经被 + V + 了 rúguǒ + yǐjīng bèi + V + le, jiù huì yǐjīng bèi + V + le 如果文件到明天已经被签署了，它就会已经被发送了。 rúguǒ wénjiàn dào míngtiān yǐjīng bèi qiānshǔ le, tā jiù huì yǐjīng bèi fāsòng le. If the document has been signed by tomorrow, it will already have been sent.

Present Simple Negative Passive 如果 + 不被 + V，就不会被 + V rúguǒ + bù bèi + V, jiù bú huì bèi + V 如果这本书不被使用，它就不会被保存。 rúguǒ zhè běn shū bù bèi shǐyòng, tā jiù bú huì bèi bǎocún. If this book is not used, it will not be preserved.

Present Continuous Negative Passive 如果 + 没有正在被 + V，就没有正在被 + V rúguǒ + méiyǒu zhèngzài bèi + V, jiù méiyǒu zhèngzài bèi + V 如果这封信没有正在被写，它就没有正在被检查。 rúguǒ zhè fēng xìn méiyǒu zhèngzài bèi xiě, tā jiù méiyǒu zhèngzài bèi jiǎnchá. If the letter is not being written, it is not being checked.

Past Simple Negative Passive 如果 + 没有被 + V，就没有被 + V rúguǒ + méiyǒu bèi + V, jiù méiyǒu bèi + V 如果门没有被关，窗户也没有被关。 rúguǒ mén méiyǒu bèi guān, chuānghu yě méiyǒu bèi guān. If the door wasn't closed, the window wasn't closed either.

Past Continuous Negative Passive 如果 + 没有正在被 + V，就没有正在被 + V rúguǒ + méiyǒu zhèngzài bèi + V, jiù méiyǒu zhèngzài bèi + V 如果房子当时没有正在被修理，道路也没有正在被封闭。 rúguǒ fángzi dāngshí méiyǒu zhèngzài bèi xiūlǐ, dàolù yě méiyǒu zhèngzài bèi fēngbì. If the house wasn't being repaired then, the road wasn't being closed either.

Present Perfect Negative Passive 如果 + 还没有被 + V，就还没有被 + V rúguǒ + hái méiyǒu bèi + V, jiù hái méiyǒu bèi + V 如果信还没有被写，它就还没有被寄出。 rúguǒ xìn hái méiyǒu bèi xiě, tā jiù hái méiyǒu bèi jì chū. If the letter has not been written yet, it has not been sent yet.

Past Perfect Negative Passive 如果 + 以前没有被 + V，就没有被 + V rúguǒ + yǐqián méiyǒu bèi + V, jiù méiyǒu bèi + V 如果报告以前没有被完成，它就没有被提交。 rúguǒ bàogào yǐqián méiyǒu bèi wánchéng, tā jiù méiyǒu bèi tíjiāo. If the report had not been completed before, it had not been submitted.

Present Perfect Continuous Negative Passive 如果 + 没有一直被 + V，就没有一直被 + V rúguǒ + méiyǒu yìzhí bèi + V, jiù méiyǒu yìzhí bèi + V 如果机器没有一直被使用，它就没有一直被检查。 rúguǒ jīqì méiyǒu yìzhí bèi shǐyòng, tā jiù méiyǒu yìzhí bèi jiǎnchá. If the machine has not been continually used, it has not been continually inspected.

Future Simple Negative Passive 如果 + 不会被 + V，就不会被 + V rúguǒ + bú huì bèi + V, jiù bú huì bèi + V 如果文件不会被批准，它就不会被公布。 rúguǒ wénjiàn bú huì bèi pīzhǔn, tā jiù bú huì bèi gōngbù. If the document will not be approved, it will not be published.

Future Continuous Negative Passive 如果 + 不会正在被 + V，就不会被 + V rúguǒ + bú huì zhèngzài bèi + V, jiù bú huì bèi + V 如果桥明天这个时候不会正在被修理，它就不会被关闭。 rúguǒ qiáo míngtiān zhège shíhou bú huì zhèngzài bèi xiūlǐ, tā jiù bú huì bèi guānbì. If the bridge will not be being repaired at this time tomorrow, it will not be closed.

Future Perfect Negative Passive 如果 + 还没有被 + V，就不会被 + V rúguǒ + hái méiyǒu bèi + V, jiù bú huì bèi + V 如果文件到明天还没有被签署，它就不会被发送。 rúguǒ wénjiàn dào míngtiān hái méiyǒu bèi qiānshǔ, tā jiù bú huì bèi fāsòng. If the document has not been signed by tomorrow, it will not be sent.

would do 会 + Verb huì + V

would do (if...) 如果…会… rúguǒ…huì…

would be doing 会正在 + Verb huì zhèngzài V

used to/would (past habit) 常常/总是 + Verb chángcháng/zǒngshì V

would have done 本来会 + Verb + 的 běnlái huì V de

would have been doing 本来会一直 + Verb běnlái huì yìzhí V

said would do 说 + 会 + Verb shuō huì V

would already have done 本来会已经 + Verb + 了 běnlái huì yǐjīng V le

would not do 不会 + Verb bú huì + V

would not do (if...) 如果…不会… rúguǒ…bú huì…

would not be doing 不会在/正在 + Verb bú huì zài V

would not (past habit) 从不 + Verb cóngbù V

would not have done 本来不会 + Verb + 的 běnlái bú huì V de

would not have been doing 本来不会一直 + Verb běnlái bú huì yìzhí V

said would not 说 + 不会 + Verb shuō bú huì V

would not already have done 不会已经 + Verb + 了 bú huì yǐjīng V le

would be done 会被 + Verb huì bèi V

would be done (conditional) 如果…会被… rúguǒ…huì bèi…

would be being done 会正在被 + Verb huì zhèngzài bèi V

said would be done 说 + 会被 + Verb shuō huì bèi V

would have been done 本来会被 + Verb + 了 běnlái huì bèi V le

would have been continuously done 本来会一直被 + Verb běnlái huì yìzhí bèi V

future would be done 将会被 + Verb jiānghuì bèi V

would already have been done 会已经被 + Verb + 了 huì yǐjīng bèi V le

would not be done 不会被 + Verb bú huì bèi V

would not be done (if...) 如果…不会被… rúguǒ…bú huì bèi…

would not be being done 不会正在被 + Verb bú huì zhèngzài bèi V

would not have been done 本来不会被 + Verb běnlái bú huì bèi V

would not already have been done 不会已经被 + Verb + 了 bú huì yǐjīng bèi V le

would not have been continuously done 本来不会一直被 + Verb běnlái bú huì yìzhí bèi V

future would not be done 将不会被 + Verb jiāng bú huì bèi V

if 如果 rúguǒ

if (casual) 要是 yàoshi

suppose/if 假如 jiǎrú

when 当...的时候 dāng...de shíhou

when/once 等...的时候 děng...de shíhou

whenever 每当 měidāng

every time 每次 měicì

unless 除非...否则 chúfēi...fǒuzé

even if 即使...也 jíshǐ...yě

only if 只有...才 zhǐyǒu...cái

as long as 只要...就 zhǐyào...jiù

in case 万一 wànyī

no matter 无论...都 wúlùn...dōu

14- COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE

Comparative adjective A + 比 + B + Adj A + bǐ + B + Adj 我比你高。 wǒ bǐ nǐ gāo. I am taller than you. (A is more than B)

Stronger comparative A + 比 + B + 更 + Adj A + bǐ + B + gèng + Adj 我比你更高。 wǒ bǐ nǐ gèng gāo. I am even taller than you.

Comparative verb A + 比 + B + 更 + Verb A + bǐ + B + gèng + Verb 我比他更喜欢中文。 wǒ bǐ tā gèng xǐhuān Zhōngwén. I like Chinese more than he does.

Comparative adverb Verb + 得 + 比 + Object + Adv V de bǐ + Object + Adv 他跑得比我快。 tā pǎo de bǐ wǒ kuài. He runs faster than I do.

Comparative noun A + 的 + Noun + 比 + B + 多 A de Noun bǐ B duō 中国的人口比日本多。 Zhōngguó de rénkǒu bǐ Rìběn duō. China's population is larger than Japan's.

Less than A + 没有 + B + Adj A méiyǒu B Adj 我没有你高。 wǒ méiyǒu nǐ gāo. I am not as tall as you.

Equality A + 和/跟 + B + 一样 + Adj A hé/gēn B yíyàng Adj 我和你一样高。 wǒ hé nǐ yíyàng gāo. I am as tall as you.

Exactly the same A + 和/跟 + B + 一模一样 A hé/gēn B yìmúyíyàng 这两个苹果一模一样。 zhè liǎng gè píngguǒ yìmúyíyàng. These two apples are exactly the same.

Superlative adjective 最 + Adj zuì + Adj 我是最高的。 wǒ shì zuì gāo de. I am the tallest.

Least 最不 + Adj zuì bù + Adj 这是最不好吃的菜。 zhè shì zuì bù hǎochī de cài. This is the least delicious dish.

Superlative verb 最 + Verb zuì + Verb 我最喜欢中文。 wǒ zuì xǐhuān Zhōngwén. I like Chinese the most.

Superlative adverb Verb + 得 + 最 + Adv V de zuì Adv 他跑得最快。 tā pǎo de zuì kuài. He runs the fastest.

More and more 越来越 + Adj yuèláiyuè + Adj 天气越来越冷。 tiānqì yuèláiyuè lěng. The weather is getting colder and colder.

The more..., the more... 越...越... yuè...yuè... 越学越好。 yuè xué yuè hǎo. The more you study, the better you become.

As...as possible 尽可能 + Verb/Adj jǐn kěnéng + Verb/Adj 请尽可能快一点。 qǐng jǐn kěnéng kuài yìdiǎn. Please be as fast as possible.

15- RELATIVE CLAUSES

Subject relative Verb + 的 [de] + noun 唱歌的女孩 = girl who sings

Object relative Subject + Verb + 的 [de] + noun 我买的书 = book I bought

Possession Noun + 的 [de] + noun 我的书 = my book

Adjective Adj + 的 [de] + noun 好的朋友 = good friend

Time Clause + 的 [de] + time 我来的时候 = when I came

Place Clause + 的 [de] + place 我住的地方 = place I live

16- REPORTED SPEECH AND DIRECT SPEECH

Direct Speech: Subject + 说 [shuō] + “Sentence”

Reported Speech:

Statement 说 + Clause shuō + clause 他说他累。 tā shuō tā lèi. He said that he was tired.

Tell 告诉 + Person + Clause gàosu + rén + clause 他告诉我他累。 tā gàosu wǒ tā lèi. He told me that he was tired.

Yes/No Question Subject + 问 + Person + 有没有 + Verb Subject + wèn + Person + yǒu méi yǒu + Verb 他问我有没有吃饭。 tā wèn wǒ yǒu méi yǒu chīfàn. He asked me if I ate.

Whether (formal) Subject + 问 + Person + 是否 + Clause Subject + wèn + Person + shìfǒu + clause 他问我是否喜欢中文。 tā wèn wǒ shìfǒu xǐhuān Zhōngwén. He asked me whether I liked Chinese.

Yes/No with 是不是 Subject + 问 + Person + 是不是 + Clause Subject + wèn + Person + shì bú shì + clause 他问我是不是学生。 tā wèn wǒ shì bú shì xuéshēng. He asked me if I was a student.

Who Subject + 问 + Person + Verb + 谁 Subject + wèn + Person + Verb + shéi 他问我看见谁。 tā wèn wǒ kànjiàn shéi. He asked me who I saw.

What Subject + 问 + Person + Verb + 什么 Subject + wèn + Person + Verb + shénme 他问我吃什么。 tā wèn wǒ chī shénme. He asked me what I ate.

Where Subject + 问 + Person + Verb + 哪里 / 哪儿 Subject + wèn + Person + Verb + nǎlǐ / nǎr 他问我去哪儿。 tā wèn wǒ qù nǎr. He asked me where I went.

When Subject + 问 + Person + 什么时候 + Verb Subject + wèn + Person + shénme shíhou + Verb 他问我什么时候来。 tā wèn wǒ shénme shíhou lái. He asked me when I came.

Why Subject + 问 + Person + 为什么 + Verb Subject + wèn + Person + wèishénme + Verb 他问我为什么走。 tā wèn wǒ wèishénme zǒu. He asked me why I left.

How Subject + 问 + Person + 怎么 + Verb Subject + wèn + Person + zěnme + Verb 他问我怎么做。 tā wèn wǒ zěnme zuò. He asked me how I did it.

How many / How much Subject + 问 + Person + 多少 + Noun Subject + wèn + Person + duōshao + Noun 他问我多少钱。 tā wèn wǒ duōshao qián. He asked me how much money.

Command 叫 / 让 + Person + Verb jiào / ràng + rén + verb 他叫我走。 tā jiào wǒ zǒu. He told me to leave.

Negative Command 叫 / 让 + Person + 不要 + Verb jiào / ràng + rén + búyào + verb 他叫我不要走。 tā jiào wǒ búyào zǒu. He told me not to leave.

17- INFINITIVES AND VERBAL NOUNS

to eat 吃 chī 我想吃。 wǒ xiǎng chī. I want to eat.

to learn 学 xué 我想学中文。 wǒ xiǎng xué Zhōngwén. I want to learn Chinese.

eating (gerund) 吃饭 chīfàn 吃饭很重要。 chīfàn hěn zhòngyào. Eating is important.

learning (gerund) 学习 xuéxí 学习很难。 xuéxí hěn nán. Learning is difficult.

like doing 喜欢 + Verb xǐhuān + Verb 喜欢看书。 xǐhuān kàn shū. Like reading books.

enjoy doing 喜欢 + Verb xǐhuān + Verb 喜欢唱歌。 xǐhuān chànggē. Enjoy singing.

in order to do 为了 + Verb wèile + Verb 为了学习。 wèile xuéxí. In order to study.

doing now 在 + Verb zài + Verb 在学习。 zài xuéxí. Studying / learning now.

before doing Verb + 以前 Verb + yǐqián 吃饭以前。 chīfàn yǐqián. Before eating.

after doing Verb + 以后 Verb + yǐhòu 吃饭以后。 chīfàn yǐhòu. After eating.

I am happy seeing you. 我见到你很高兴。 wǒ jiàndào nǐ hěn gāoxìng. Subject + 见到 + Object + 很高兴 Subject + jiàndào + Object + hěn gāoxìng I am happy seeing you.

I am happy to see you. 我很高兴见到你。 wǒ hěn gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ. Subject + 很高兴 + Verb + Object Subject + hěn gāoxìng + Verb + Object I am happy to see you.

I plan to eat. 我打算吃饭。 wǒ dǎsuàn chīfàn. Subject + 打算 + Verb Subject + dǎsuàn + Verb I plan to eat.

I like eating. 我喜欢吃。 wǒ xǐhuān chī. Subject + 喜欢 + Verb Subject + xǐhuān + Verb (If it contains an object: Subject + 喜欢 [xǐhuān] + Verb + Object)

I see him run. 我看见他跑。 wǒ kànjiàn tā pǎo. Subject + 看见 + Object + Verb Subject + kànjiàn + Object + Verb I see him run.

I see him running. 我看见他在跑。 wǒ kànjiàn tā zài pǎo. Subject + 看见 + Object + 在 + Verb Subject + kànjiàn + Object + zài + Verb I see him running.

I eat to play / I eat in order to play. 我为了玩而吃饭。 wǒ wèile wán ér chīfàn. Subject + 为了 + Verb₁ + 而 + Verb₂ Subject + wèile + Verb₁ + ér + Verb₂ I eat in order to play.

18- SUBJUNCTIVE

if 如果 rúguǒ

if only 要是 yàoshi

would 会 huì

would not 不会 bú huì

should 应该 yīnggāi

could 能 néng

hope 希望 xīwàng

as if 好像 hǎoxiàng

even if 即使 jíshǐ

unless 除非 chúfēi

then 就 jiù

good/that would be nice 好了 hǎo le

19- TAG QUESTIONS

isn't it? / aren't you? 是不是 shì bú shì

right? 对不对 duì bú duì

okay? 好不好 hǎo bù hǎo

acceptable? 行不行 xíng bù xíng

can I? 可以吗 kěyǐ ma

right? (casual) 吧 ba

do you or not? Verb + 不 + Verb V bù V

isn't it? Statement + 对吗 ... duì ma 他很高，对吗？ He is tall, isn't he?

right? Statement + 对不对 ... duì bù duì 他说中文，对不对？ He speaks Chinese, right?

isn't it? Statement + 是不是 ... shì bú shì 今天很热，是不是？ It's hot today, isn't it?

right? (soft) Statement + 吧 ... ba 你知道吧？ You know, right?

don't you? Positive + 对不对 ... duì bù duì 你喜欢他，对不对？ You like him, don't you?

do you? Negative + 对吗 ... duì ma 你不喜欢他，对吗？ You don't like him, do you?

okay? 好不好 hǎo bù hǎo 我们走，好不好？ Let's go, okay?

okay? 行不行 xíng bù xíng 这样做，行不行？ Is doing it this way okay?

Aren't you doing? Subject + 不 + V + 吗 你不吃吗？ nǐ bù chī ma?

Didn't you do? Subject + 没 + V + 吗 你没吃吗？ nǐ méi chī ma?

Aren't you doing now? Subject + 没有在 + V + 吗 你没有在吃吗？ nǐ méiyǒu zài chī ma?

Haven't you done yet? Subject + 还没 + V + 吗 你还没吃吗？ nǐ hái méi chī ma?

Won't you do? Subject + 不会 + V + 吗 你不会来吗？ nǐ bú huì lái ma?

Do you or don't you? V + 不 + V 你吃不吃？ nǐ chī bù chī?

Do you have or not? 有没有 + Noun 你有没有钱？ nǐ yǒu méi yǒu qián?

20- MODAL WORDS

1 能 néng can; be able to

2 能够 nénggòu be able to; can

3 会 huì can; know how to

4 可以 kěyǐ can; be able to

5 可 kě can; may; be possible

6 能行 néng xíng be able to; work out

7 做得到 zuò de dào be capable of doing

8 办得到 bàn de dào be able to manage

9 有能力 yǒu nénglì have the ability

10 有本事 yǒu běnshi have the ability; be capable

2. Inability — cannot, be unable to

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

11 不能 bù néng cannot; must not

12 不会 bú huì cannot; do not know how to

13 不可以 bù kěyǐ may not; cannot

14 不可能 bù kěnéng impossible; cannot possibly

15 不能够 bù nénggòu be unable to

16 没法 méi fǎ have no way to; cannot

17 没办法 méi bànfǎ have no way to; cannot

18 无法 wúfǎ be unable to; cannot

19 做不到 zuò bú dào be unable to do

20 办不到 bàn bú dào be unable to manage

3. Permission — may, be allowed to

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

21 可以 kěyǐ may; can; be allowed to

22 可 kě may; be permissible

23 能 néng may; can

24 允许 yǔnxǔ allow; permit

25 准许 zhǔnxǔ permit; authorize

26 准 zhǔn be allowed; be permitted

27 获准 huòzhǔn receive permission

28 得以 déyǐ be able to; be permitted to

29 可以……吗 kěyǐ…ma may I...?

30 可不可以 kě bù kěyǐ may I?; can I?

4. Prohibition — must not, may not, cannot

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

31 不可以 bù kěyǐ must not; may not

32 不能 bù néng must not; cannot

33 不准 bù zhǔn must not; not allowed

34 不许 bù xǔ must not; not permitted

35 禁止 jìnzhǐ prohibit; forbid

36 严禁 yánjìn strictly prohibit

37 不得 bùdé must not; may not

38 不可 bù kě must not; should not

39 不应 bù yīng should not

40 不应该 bù yīnggāi should not

41 不该 bù gāi ought not to

42 不得不 bùdébù have no choice but to

5. Obligation and necessity — must, have to, need to

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

43 必须 bìxū must; have to

44 必得 bìděi must; have to

45 得 děi have to; must

46 要 yào must; have to

47 需要 xūyào need to; need

48 须 xū must; need to

49 须要 xūyào must; need to

50 应当 yīngdāng ought to; should

51 应该 yīnggāi should; ought to

52 该 gāi should; ought to

53 有必要 yǒu bìyào be necessary

54 必要 bìyào necessary

55 务必 wùbì must; be sure to

56 势必 shìbì be bound to; inevitably

57 非得 fēiděi have to; insist on having to

58 非要 fēi yào insist on; absolutely must

59 少不了 shǎo bù liǎo be indispensable; cannot do without

60 离不开 lí bù kāi cannot do without

6. Advice and recommendation — should, ought to, had better

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

61 应该 yīnggāi should

62 应当 yīngdāng should; ought to

63 该 gāi should; ought to

64 最好 zuìhǎo had better; it would be best

65 不妨 bùfáng might as well

66 值得 zhídé be worth doing

67 宜 yí should; be advisable

68 适宜 shìyí be suitable; advisable

69 适合 shìhé be suitable; appropriate

70 建议 jiànyì recommend; suggest

71 劝 quàn advise; urge

72 劝告 quàngào advise; counsel

73 应该考虑 yīnggāi kǎolǜ should consider

74 最好还是 zuìhǎo háishi had better still

7. Possibility — may, might, could, possibly

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

75 可能 kěnéng may; might; possible

76 或许 huòxǔ perhaps; might

77 也许 yěxǔ perhaps; maybe

78 大概 dàgài probably; perhaps

79 恐怕 kǒngpà I'm afraid; probably

80 兴许 xīngxǔ perhaps; maybe

81 未必 wèibì not necessarily

82 不一定 bù yídìng not necessarily

83 有可能 yǒu kěnéng be possible; might

84 有机会 yǒu jīhuì have a chance to

85 说不定 shuōbudìng maybe; perhaps

86 不见得 bú jiàndé not necessarily

87 难免 nánmiǎn be hard to avoid; likely

88 或有 huò yǒu there may be

89 未可知 wèikězhī it remains possible; unknown

8. Probability and likelihood — probably, likely, unlikely

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

90 很可能 hěn kěnéng very likely

91 极有可能 jí yǒu kěnéng extremely likely

92 很有可能 hěn yǒu kěnéng very likely

93 大有可能 dà yǒu kěnéng quite possible

94 多半 duōbàn probably; most likely

95 八成 bāchéng probably; very likely

96 十有八九 shí yǒu bā jiǔ most likely; almost certainly

97 不大可能 bù dà kěnéng unlikely

98 不太可能 bú tài kěnéng not very likely

99 极不可能 jí bù kěnéng extremely unlikely

100 未必会 wèibì huì might not; not necessarily will

101 可能会 kěnéng huì might; may

102 很有希望 hěn yǒu xīwàng have a good chance

103 有望 yǒuwàng be likely to; be expected to

9. Certainty and necessity of inference — must, surely, certainly

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

104 一定 yídìng certainly; definitely

105 肯定 kěndìng certainly; surely

106 必定 bìdìng certainly; inevitably

107 必然 bìrán inevitably; certainly

108 势必 shìbì be bound to

109 准会 zhǔn huì will certainly

110 准能 zhǔn néng will certainly be able to

111 无疑 wúyí undoubtedly

112 毫无疑问 háo wú yíwèn without a doubt

113 确实 quèshí indeed; certainly

114 的确 díquè indeed; certainly

115 必然会 bìrán huì will inevitably

116 一定会 yídìng huì will definitely

117 肯定会 kěndìng huì will surely

10. Willingness and readiness — be willing to, be prepared to

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

118 愿意 yuànyì be willing to

119 乐意 lèyì be glad/willing to

120 肯 kěn be willing to

121 情愿 qíngyuàn be willing to; would rather

122 甘愿 gānyuàn willingly; be willing to

123 宁愿 nìngyuàn would rather; prefer to

124 宁可 nìngkě would rather

125 乐于 lèyú be willing to; take pleasure in

126 敢于 gǎnyú dare to

127 准备 zhǔnbèi be prepared to

128 打算 dǎsuàn intend to; plan to

129 有意 yǒuyì intend to; have the intention

130 有心 yǒuxīn be willing/intend to

131 志愿 zhìyuàn volunteer; be willing

132 迫切希望 pòqiè xīwàng be eager to; earnestly hope

11. Desire and intention — want to, would like to, intend to

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

133 想 xiǎng want to; would like to

134 想要 xiǎngyào want to

135 要 yào want to; intend to

136 愿意 yuànyì be willing to

137 希望 xīwàng hope to

138 盼望 pànwàng hope for; look forward to

139 期望 qīwàng expect; hope

140 渴望 kěwàng long to; desire

141 企图 qǐtú attempt to; intend to

142 意图 yìtú intend to

143 打算 dǎsuàn plan to; intend to

144 计划 jìhuà plan to

145 盘算 pánsuàn plan; consider doing

146 决心 juéxīn be determined to

147 决定 juédìng decide to

148 立志 lìzhì resolve to; aspire to

149 想方设法 xiǎng fāng shè fǎ try every possible way to

12. Conditional and hypothetical meanings — would, could, might

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

150 会 huì would; would be likely to

151 能 néng could; would be able to

152 可以 kěyǐ could; would be allowed to

153 可 kě could; might

154 可能 kěnéng might; could

155 想 xiǎng would like to

156 愿意 yuànyì would be willing to

157 肯 kěn would be willing to

158 应该 yīnggāi should; would be expected to

159 要 yào would; be going to

160 宁愿 nìngyuàn would rather

161 宁可 nìngkě would rather

162 倘若 tǎngruò if; supposing that

163 假如 jiǎrú if; supposing

164 如果 rúguǒ if

165 要是 yàoshi if

166 万一 wànyī if by chance; in case

167 即使 jíshǐ even if

168 哪怕 nǎpà even if

169 假使 jiǎshǐ supposing; if

Note: The conditional words in this section introduce hypothetical conditions. They are not modal verbs themselves.

13. Ability, permission, and willingness to dare

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

170 敢 gǎn dare to

171 敢于 gǎnyú dare to; have the courage to

172 不敢 bù gǎn dare not

173 胆敢 dǎngǎn dare to; have the audacity to

174 勇于 yǒngyú have the courage to

175 斗胆 dǒudǎn venture to; dare to

176 敢不敢 gǎn bu gǎn dare or not

177 敢于尝试 gǎnyú chángshì dare to try

14. Expectation and obligation — be supposed to, be expected to

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

178 应该 yīnggāi be supposed to; should

179 应当 yīngdāng be expected to; ought to

180 该 gāi be supposed to; should

181 理应 lǐyīng ought to; should rightly

182 本应 běn yīng should have; ought to have

183 本该 běn gāi should have; was supposed to

184 按理 àn lǐ logically; should

185 按理说 àn lǐ shuō logically speaking; ought to

186 理当 lǐdāng ought to; should

187 有义务 yǒu yìwù have a duty to

188 有责任 yǒu zérèn have a responsibility to

189 负有责任 fù yǒu zérèn bear the responsibility to

15. Necessity without choice — cannot avoid, have no choice

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

190 不得不 bùdébù have no choice but to

191 只好 zhǐhǎo have no choice but to

192 只得 zhǐdé have to; can only

193 只能 zhǐ néng can only; have no choice but to

194 不免 bùmiǎn cannot avoid; inevitably

195 难免 nánmiǎn be unavoidable; inevitably

196 非……不可 fēi…bù kě must; absolutely have to

197 非……不行 fēi…bù xíng must; cannot do without

198 势在必行 shì zài bì xíng must be carried out

199 在所难免 zài suǒ nánmiǎn unavoidable

16. Result and successful ability — manage to, succeed in

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

200 能做到 néng zuò dào be able to accomplish

201 能够做到 nénggòu zuò dào be capable of accomplishing

202 做得到 zuò de dào can manage to do

203 做得了 zuò de liǎo be able to do

204 办得到 bàn de dào be able to manage

205 来得及 lái de jí have enough time; be in time

206 来不及 lái bu jí not have enough time

207 来得了 lái de liǎo be able to come

208 来不了 lái bu liǎo be unable to come

209 吃得下 chī de xià be able to eat; have room to eat

210 吃不下 chī bu xià be unable to eat

211 看得懂 kàn de dǒng be able to understand by reading

212 看不懂 kàn bu dǒng be unable to understand by reading

17. Modal adverbs and expressions of attitude

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

213 当然 dāngrán of course; naturally

214 自然 zìrán naturally; of course

215 果然 guǒrán as expected; indeed

216 居然 jūrán unexpectedly; actually

217 竟然 jìngrán unexpectedly; surprisingly

218 偏偏 piānpiān contrary to expectation; just

219 恰好 qiàhǎo happen to; just happen to

220 恰巧 qiàqiǎo happen to; by chance

221 几乎 jīhū almost

222 差点儿 chàdiǎnr almost; nearly

223 差一点 chà yìdiǎn almost; nearly

224 未免 wèimiǎn rather; perhaps excessively

225 难怪 nánguài no wonder

226 说不定 shuōbudìng maybe; possibly

227 反正 fǎnzhèng anyway; in any case

228 总归 zǒngguī after all; ultimately

229 终究 zhōngjiū after all; ultimately

230 毕竟 bìjìng after all; ultimately

18. Important modal combinations

These combinations are especially useful because Chinese frequently combines modal verbs with aspect markers, negation, and other verbs.

# Chinese Pinyin English meaning

231 能够做 nénggòu zuò be able to do

232 可以做 kěyǐ zuò may/can do

233 会做 huì zuò know how to do

234 应该做 yīnggāi zuò should do

235 必须做 bìxū zuò must do

236 得做 děi zuò have to do

237 需要做 xūyào zuò need to do

238 不必做 bú bì zuò need not do

239 不用做 bú yòng zuò do not need to do

240 没必要做 méi bìyào zuò there is no need to do

241 可能会做 kěnéng huì zuò might do

242 应该会做 yīnggāi huì zuò should be able to do; probably will do

243 一定会做 yídìng huì zuò will definitely do

244 不可能做 bù kěnéng zuò cannot possibly do

245 不应该做 bù yīnggāi zuò should not do

246 不得不做 bùdébù zuò have no choice but to do

247 只好做 zhǐhǎo zuò have no choice but to do

248 只能够做 zhǐ nénggòu zuò can only do

249 愿意做 yuànyì zuò be willing to do

250 不愿意做 bù yuànyì zuò be unwilling to do

251 敢做 gǎn zuò dare to do

252 不敢做 bù gǎn zuò dare not do

253 想做 xiǎng zuò want to do

254 想要做 xiǎngyào zuò want to do

255 打算做 dǎsuàn zuò intend to do

256 准备做 zhǔnbèi zuò be prepared to do

257 宁愿做 nìngyuàn zuò would rather do

258 宁可做 nìngkě zuò would rather do

259 最好做 zuìhǎo zuò had better do

260 不妨做 bùfáng zuò might as well do

19. Full sentence examples

Chinese sentence Pinyin English translation

我能说中文。 Wǒ néng shuō Zhōngwén. I can speak Chinese.

我会游泳。 Wǒ huì yóuyǒng. I know how to swim.

我可以进去吗？ Wǒ kěyǐ jìnqù ma? May I come in?

我不能去。 Wǒ bù néng qù. I cannot go.

你必须学习。 Nǐ bìxū xuéxí. You must study.

我得回家。 Wǒ děi huí jiā. I have to go home.

你应该休息。 Nǐ yīnggāi xiūxi. You should rest.

你最好早点睡觉。 Nǐ zuìhǎo zǎodiǎn shuìjiào. You had better go to bed early.

我需要帮助。 Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù. I need help.

我想去中国。 Wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó. I want to go to China.

我愿意帮助你。 Wǒ yuànyì bāngzhù nǐ. I am willing to help you.

他不敢说话。 Tā bù gǎn shuōhuà. He does not dare to speak.

明天可能会下雨。 Míngtiān kěnéng huì xiàyǔ. It might rain tomorrow.

他一定会来。 Tā yídìng huì lái. He will definitely come.

我不得不工作。 Wǒ bùdébù gōngzuò. I have no choice but to work.

你不必担心。 Nǐ bú bì dānxīn. You don't need to worry.

我宁愿留在家里。 Wǒ nìngyuàn liú zài jiālǐ. I would rather stay at home.

如果我有钱，我就可以买一辆车。 Rúguǒ wǒ yǒu qián, wǒ jiù kěyǐ mǎi yí liàng chē. If I had money, I could buy a car.

21- THERE IS / HAVE / BE

there is/are 有 yǒu

there is not/are not 没有 méiyǒu

is there? 有没有 yǒu méi yǒu

there was 以前有 yǐqián yǒu

there will be 会有 huì yǒu

there must be 一定有 yídìng yǒu

there seems to be 好像有 hǎoxiàng yǒu

have (possess) 有 yǒu

don't have 没有 méiyǒu

do you have? 有没有 yǒu méi yǒu

have experienced Verb + 过 V + guò

have already done 已经 + Verb + 了 yǐjīng V le

have to 要 / 必须 / 得 yào / bìxū / děi

IMPERATIVES:

Command Verb + object 走！(zǒu!) = Go!

Polite command 请 + Verb 请坐 (qǐng zuò)

Don't 不要/别 + Verb 不要跑 (bú yào pǎo)

Suggestion Verb + 吧 来吧 (lái ba)

Let's 让我们 + Verb 让我们开始

Let me 让我 + Verb 让我看看

Be protected! 被保护！ bèi bǎohù

Be respected! 被尊重！ bèi zūnzhòng

Be cared for! 被照顾！ bèi zhàogù

Be welcomed! 受到欢迎！ shòudào huānyíng

Let him be protected 让他被保护 ràng tā bèi bǎohù

Children should be protected 儿童应被保护 értóng yīng bèi bǎohù