Word order
Subject, verb, object, with time and place before the verb.
The basic order is the same as in English: subject, verb, object. Chinese words never change their form: no conjugations, no plural endings, no "me" for "I". 我 wǒ is "I" and "me"; 喝 hē is "drink", "drinks" and "drank". Word order and a few small words carry the meaning.
- Wǒ xǐhuan tā.I like him.
- Tā xǐhuan wǒ.He likes me.
- Wǒ hē chá.I drink tea.
Time before the verb
Words for when go before the verb, either right after the subject or at the very start, never at the end as in English.
- Wǒ míngtiān qù Běijīng.I'm going to Beijing tomorrow.
- Míngtiān wǒ qù Běijīng.Tomorrow I'm going to Beijing.
- Tā měitiān zǎoshang hē kāfēi.He drinks coffee every morning.
Place before the verb
Where something happens also goes before the verb, with 在 zài "at": subject, time, 在 and the place, then the verb and its object.
- Wǒ míngtiān zài jiā kàn shū.I'll read at home tomorrow.
- Tā wǎnshang zài túshūguǎn xuéxí Hànyǔ.She studies Chinese in the library in the evenings.
Describing words first
Whatever describes a noun comes before it, usually with 的 de: 我的书 "my book", 我昨天买的书 "the book I bought yesterday". Words like 很 "very", 也 "also" and 都 "all" come before the verb or adjective they modify.
- Zhè shì wǒ zuótiān mǎi de shū.This is the book I bought yesterday.
The topic first
A sentence often starts with what it is about, even when that is the object, and then says something about it.
- Zhège cài wǒ hěn xǐhuan.I like this dish a lot.
Cards from this guide
8 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Sentences cards.
Where does a time word like 明天 (tomorrow) go in "I'm going to Beijing tomorrow"?
Before the verb: 我明天去北京, or at the start: 明天我去北京.
Where does 在家 (at home) go in "I eat at home"?
Before the verb: 我在家吃饭.
Does a Chinese verb change for "he" or for the past?
No: 喝 is "drink", "drinks" and "drank".
What order do the parts of 我明天在家看书 follow?
Subject, time, place, verb, object.
Where does a description go in "the book I bought yesterday"?
Before the noun, ending in 的: 我昨天买的书.
What comes first in 这个菜我很喜欢?
The topic, 这个菜 "this dish", although it is the object of 喜欢.
Who likes whom in 他喜欢我?
He likes me.
Where does 也 (also) go in "I drink tea too"?
Before the verb: 我也喝茶。