L'ordre des mots : Sujet-Temps-Lieu-Verbe
Sujet, Temps et Lieu.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In Chinese, time and place always come before the action (verb).
- Time comes first: {今天|jīntiān} {我|wǒ} {吃|chī} {苹果|píngguǒ} (Today I eat apple).
- Place comes second: {我|wǒ} {在|zài} {学校|xuéxiào} {学习|xuéxí} (I at school study).
- Verb and Object are last: {我|wǒ} {看|kàn} {电影|diànyǐng} (I watch movie).
Overview
Word Order Rules
How This Grammar Works
Formation Pattern
Pattern Variations
- Standard : 我 今天 工作 (Je aujourd'hui travaille).
- Insistant : 今天 我 工作 (Aujourd'hui, je travaille).
Real Conversations
SMS pour le dîner :
A
B
Plans du weekend :
A
B
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Faux : 我 学习 在 图书馆 (J'étudie à bibliothèque).
- ✅ Vrai : 我 在 图书馆 学习 (Je à bibliothèque étudie).
Quick FAQ
R: Non. Jamais à la fin. Gardez-le avant le verbe.
R: Sautez la case ! L'ordre du reste ne change pas (S + V + O).
R: Bonne question ! Avec des verbes comme 去 (aller), le lieu est la *destination*, donc il vient après le verbe : 我 去 北京.
Sentence Order Matrix
| Component | Role | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Subject
|
Who/What
|
{我|wǒ}
|
|
Time
|
When
|
{明天|míngtiān}
|
|
Place
|
Where
|
{在|zài} {北京|běijīng}
|
|
Verb
|
Action
|
{学习|xuéxí}
|
|
Object
|
Target
|
{中文|zhōngwén}
|
|
Result
|
Full Sentence
|
{我|wǒ} {明天|míngtiān} {在|zài} {北京|běijīng} {学习|xuéxí} {中文|zhōngwén}.
|
Meanings
This rule dictates the mandatory sequence of sentence components in Chinese. Unlike English, where time and place often float to the end, Chinese requires them to precede the verb.
Standard Declarative
The foundation for all basic statements.
“{他|tā} {现在|xiànzài} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {睡觉|shuìjiào}.”
“{我们|wǒmen} {晚上|wǎnshang} {在|zài} {饭店|fàndiàn} {吃饭|chīfàn}.”
Reference Table
| Bloc | Rôle | Exemple | Traduction |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Sujet
|
Qui
|
{我|wǒ}
|
Je
|
|
2. Temps
|
Quand
|
{明天|míngtiān}
|
demain
|
|
3. Lieu
|
Où
|
{在 家|zài jiā}
|
à la maison
|
|
4. Verbe
|
Action
|
{吃|chī}
|
mange
|
|
5. Objet
|
Quoi
|
{早饭|zǎofàn}
|
le petit-déjeuner
|
Spectre de formalité
{我|wǒ} {目前|mùqián} {在|zài} {府上|fǔshàng} {用餐|yòngcān}. (Daily life)
{我|wǒ} {现在|xiànzài} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {吃饭|chīfàn}. (Daily life)
{我|wǒ} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {吃|chī} {呢|ne}. (Daily life)
{我|wǒ} {家|jiā} {吃|chī} {着|zhe} {呢|ne}. (Daily life)
Construire une phrase
As-tu un Temps (quand) ?
As-tu un Lieu (où) ?
Ajoute Verbe + Objet
Ordre Français vs Chinois
Les blocs de la phrase
Temps (Quand)
- • {今天|jīntiān}
- • {明天|míngtiān}
- • {早上|zǎoshang}
Lieu (Où)
- • {在 家|zài jiā}
- • {在 学校|zài xuéxiào}
- • {在 公司|zài gōngsī}
Action (Verbe)
- • {吃|chī}
- • {去|qù}
- • {看|kàn}
La Règle d'Or
Modificateurs pré-verbe
- Temps Quand ?
- Lieu Où ?
Cœur
- Sujet Qui ?
- Verbe Action
Exemples par niveau
{我|wǒ} {今天|jīntiān} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {学习|xuéxí}.
I study at home today.
{他|tā} {明天|míngtiān} {在|zài} {学校|xuéxí} {看书|kànshū}.
He will read at school tomorrow.
{我们|wǒmen} {现在|xiànzài} {在|zài} {饭店|fàndiàn} {吃饭|chīfàn}.
We are eating at the restaurant now.
{老师|lǎoshī} {上午|shàngwǔ} {在|zài} {教室|jiàoshì} {教书|jiāoshū}.
The teacher teaches in the classroom in the morning.
{你|nǐ} {昨天|zuótiān} {在|zài} {哪里|nǎlǐ} {买|mǎi} {衣服|yīfu}?
Where did you buy clothes yesterday?
{我|wǒ} {不|bù} {在|zài} {公司|gōngsī} {工作|gōngzuò}.
I don't work at the company.
{妈妈|māma} {每天|měitiān} {在|zài} {厨房|chúfáng} {做饭|zuòfàn}.
Mom cooks in the kitchen every day.
{他们|tāmen} {晚上|wǎnshang} {在|zài} {公园|gōngyuán} {散步|sànbù}.
They walk in the park at night.
{为了|wèile} {考试|kǎoshì}, {他|tā} {最近|zuìjìn} {在|zài} {图书馆|túshūguǎn} {熬夜|áoyè}.
For the exam, he has been staying up late at the library recently.
{会议|huìyì} {下周|xiàzhōu} {在|zài} {上海|shànghǎi} {举行|jǔxíng}.
The meeting will be held in Shanghai next week.
{我|wǒ} {一直|yīzhí} {在|zài} {想|xiǎng} {这|zhè} {件|jiàn} {事|shì}.
I have been thinking about this matter all along.
{你|nǐ} {最好|zuìhǎo} {现在|xiànzài} {在|zài} {这里|zhèlǐ} {等|děng} {我|wǒ}.
You'd better wait for me here now.
{由于|yóuyú} {天气|tiānqì} {原因|yuányīn}, {航班|hángbān} {今天|jīntiān} {在|zài} {机场|jīchǎng} {延误|yánwù} {了|le}.
Due to weather, the flight was delayed at the airport today.
{无论|wúlùn} {何时|héshí}, {我|wǒ} {都|dōu} {在|zài} {心底|xīndǐ} {支持|zhīchí} {你|nǐ}.
No matter when, I support you in my heart.
{这|zhè} {部|bù} {电影|diànyǐng} {去年|qùnián} {在|zài} {戛纳|gānà} {获得|huòdé} {了|le} {奖项|jiǎngxiàng}.
This movie won an award in Cannes last year.
{他|tā} {总是|zǒngshì} {在|zài} {关键|guānjiàn} {时刻|shíkè} {出现|chūxiàn}.
He always appears at the critical moment.
{即便|jíbiàn} {在|zài} {最|zuì} {困难|kùnnán} {的|de} {时期|shíqī}, {他|tā} {也|yě} {在|zài} {实验室|shíyànshì} {坚持|jiānchí} {研究|yánjiū}.
Even during the most difficult times, he persisted in research in the lab.
{历史|lìshǐ} {往往|wǎngwǎng} {在|zài} {不经意|bùjīngyì} {的|de} {瞬间|shùnjiān} {发生|fāshēng} {转折|zhuǎnzhé}.
History often takes a turn at unexpected moments.
{我们|wǒmen} {应当|yīngdāng} {在|zài} {全球化|quánqiúhuà} {的|de} {背景|bèijǐng} {下|xià} {审视|shěnshì} {问题|wèntí}.
We should examine the issue in the context of globalization.
{他|tā} {曾|céng} {在|zài} {那|nà} {座|zuò} {古老|gǔlǎo} {的|de} {城市|chéngshì} {度过|dùguò} {了|le} {童年|tóngnián}.
He once spent his childhood in that ancient city.
{古人|gǔrén} {常|cháng} {在|zài} {月下|yuèxià} {吟诗|yínshī}, {抒发|shūfā} {胸中|xiōngzhōng} {之|zhī} {志|zhì}.
The ancients often recited poetry under the moon to express their aspirations.
{该|gāi} {政策|zhèngcè} {已|yǐ} {在|zài} {全国|quánguó} {范围|fànwéi} {内|nèi} {得到|dédào} {了|le} {有效|yǒuxiào} {落实|luòshí}.
The policy has been effectively implemented nationwide.
{他|tā} {在|zài} {学术界|xuéshùjiè} {享有|xiǎngyǒu} {极高|jí gāo} {的|de} {声誉|shēngyù}.
He enjoys a very high reputation in academia.
{在|zài} {这|zhè} {纷繁复杂|fēnfán fùzá} {的|de} {世界|shìjiè} {中|zhōng}, {我们|wǒmen} {应|yīng} {保持|bǎochí} {内心|nèixīn} {的|de} {宁静|níngjìng}.
In this complicated world, we should maintain inner peace.
Facile à confondre
Learners often swap time and place.
Duration (how long) goes after the verb, while Time (when) goes before.
Learners forget 'zài' for places.
Erreurs courantes
{我|wǒ} {吃|chī} {饭|fàn} {在|zài} {家|jiā}.
{我|wǒ} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {吃|chī} {饭|fàn}.
{我|wǒ} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {明天|míngtiān} {学习|xuéxí}.
{我|wǒ} {明天|míngtiān} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {学习|xuéxí}.
{我|wǒ} {家|jiā} {在|zài} {学习|xuéxí}.
{我|wǒ} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {学习|xuéxí}.
{明天|míngtiān} {我|wǒ} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {学习|xuéxí}.
{我|wǒ} {明天|míngtiān} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {学习|xuéxí}.
{他|tā} {工作|gōngzuò} {在|zài} {北京|běijīng}.
{他|tā} {在|zài} {北京|běijīng} {工作|gōngzuò}.
{我们|wǒmen} {看|kàn} {电影|diànyǐng} {晚上|wǎnshang}.
{我们|wǒmen} {晚上|wǎnshang} {看|kàn} {电影|diànyǐng}.
{老师|lǎoshī} {教书|jiāoshū} {在|zài} {教室|jiàoshì}.
{老师|lǎoshī} {在|zài} {教室|jiàoshì} {教书|jiāoshū}.
{我|wǒ} {想|xiǎng} {去|qù} {超市|chāoshì} {买|mǎi} {东西|dōngxi} {明天|míngtiān}.
{我|wǒ} {明天|míngtiān} {想|xiǎng} {去|qù} {超市|chāoshì} {买|mǎi} {东西|dōngxi}.
{他|tā} {在|zài} {这里|zhèlǐ} {住|zhù} {了|le} {三年|sānnián}.
{他|tā} {在|zài} {这里|zhèlǐ} {住|zhù} {了|le} {三年|sānnián}.
{我们|wǒmen} {在|zài} {上海|shànghǎi} {相遇|xiāngyù} {去年|qùnián}.
{我们|wǒmen} {去年|qùnián} {在|zài} {上海|shànghǎi} {相遇|xiāngyù}.
Structures de phrases
___ {今天|jīntiān} {在|zài} ___ {学习|xuéxí}.
___ {明天|míngtiān} {在|zài} ___ {工作|gōngzuò}.
___ {晚上|wǎnshang} {在|zài} ___ {吃饭|chīfàn}.
___ {去年|qùnián} {在|zài} ___ {旅游|lǚyóu}.
Real World Usage
{我|wǒ} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {等|děng} {你|nǐ}.
{我|wǒ} {现在|xiànzài} {在|zài} {店|diàn} {里|lǐ} {点餐|diǎncān}.
{我|wǒ} {去年|qùnián} {在|zài} {公司|gōngsī} {工作|gōngzuò}.
{我|wǒ} {明天|míngtiān} {在|zài} {机场|jīchǎng} {见|jiàn} {你|nǐ}.
{我|wǒ} {今天|jīntiān} {在|zài} {海边|hǎibiān} {拍照|pāizhào}.
{我们|wǒmen} {下周|xiàzhōu} {在|zài} {上海|shànghǎi} {开会|kāihuì}.
Le temps est flexible
Le piège du lieu
Le contexte est roi
Smart Tips
Think 'Subject + Where + Action'.
Put time right after the subject.
Time first, then place.
Ask: 'When? Where? What?'
Prononciation
Tone Sandhi
When {不|bù} is followed by a 4th tone, it becomes a 2nd tone.
Declarative
Sentence ends with a flat tone.
Stating a fact.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Time and Place are the 'Stage'—set the stage before the actors (verbs) perform.
Association visuelle
Imagine a theater. The curtain (Time) opens, the set (Place) is revealed, and then the actors (Verb) walk onto the stage.
Rhyme
Time and place come before the verb, That is the rule you must observe.
Story
Imagine you are a director. You yell 'Time!' then 'Place!' before you let your actors move. If they move too early, you stop the scene. This is how you remember to put time and place first.
Word Web
Défi
Write 5 sentences about your day using the S-T-P-V-O order.
Notes culturelles
This structure is strictly followed in formal and informal speech.
Similar structure, but often uses slightly different vocabulary.
While Cantonese has different grammar, when speaking Mandarin, they follow this S-T-P-V-O rule.
Chinese word order evolved from early SVO patterns in Old Chinese, becoming more rigid as the language lost inflectional markers.
Amorces de conversation
{你|nǐ} {今天|jīntiān} {在|zài} {哪里|nǎlǐ} {学习|xuéxí}?
{你|nǐ} {通常|tōngcháng} {在|zài} {几点|jǐdiǎn} {吃饭|chīfàn}?
{你|nǐ} {去年|qùnián} {在|zài} {哪里|nǎlǐ} {工作|gōngzuò}?
{你|nǐ} {认为|rènwéi} {我们|wǒmen} {应该|yīngdāng} {在|zài} {什么|shénme} {时候|shíhòu} {开始|kāishǐ} {项目|xiàngmù}?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
Score: /3
Exercices pratiques
8 exercises{家|jiā} / {在|zài} / {我|wǒ} / {吃饭|chīfàn} / {今天|jīntiān}
{我|wǒ} {明天|míngtiān} ___ {北京|běijīng} {工作|gōngzuò}.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
{我们|wǒmen} {看|kàn} {电影|diànyǐng} {晚上|wǎnshang}.
{老师|lǎoshī} / {教室|jiàoshì} / {教书|jiāoshū} / {上午|shàngwǔ}
Match S-T-P-V-O.
{我|wǒ} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {学习|xuéxí}.
A: {你|nǐ} {在|zài} {哪里|nǎlǐ} {工作|gōngzuò}? B: ___
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesConnecte : {他|tā} / {中文|Zhōngwén} / {学习|xuéxí} / {明天|míngtiān}
Traduis : "Je déjeune à 12h00."
Nous sommes ___ au parc. ({我们|wǒmen} ___ {公园|gōngyuán}.)
{看|kàn} / {晚上|wǎnshang} / {我|wǒ} / {电视|diànshì}
{我们|wǒmen} {工作|gōngzuò} {在|zài} {中国|Zhōngguó}。
{我|wǒ} ___ {喝|hē} {茶|chá}. (Je bois du thé tous les jours.)
{你|nǐ} / {做|zuò} / {周末|zhōumò} / {什么|shénme} / ?
Associe les parties de la phrase.
Elle lit des livres à la bibliothèque.
{喜欢|xǐhuan} / {我|wǒ} / {在|zài} / {睡觉|shuìjiào} / {家|jiā}
___ {我|wǒ} ___ {不|bù} {忙|máng}. (Je ne suis pas occupé aujourd'hui.)
Score: /11
FAQ (8)
Chinese is a topic-comment language. You must establish the context (time/place) before the action.
Yes, it is the standard for almost all declarative sentences.
Time usually comes before place. E.g., '{我|wǒ} {今天|jīntiān} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {学习|xuéxí}.'
Yes, when indicating a location where an action happens.
Sometimes, for emphasis, but S-T-P-V-O is the safest and most common.
Add 'ma' at the end or use a question word like 'nǎlǐ'.
No, it is consistent across all registers.
Putting time or place at the end of the sentence.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Subject + Verb + Object + Time/Place
Chinese is pre-verbal for adjuncts; Spanish is post-verbal.
Subject + Verb + Object + Time/Place
Chinese requires time/place before the verb.
Subject + Verb + Time + Place + Object
Chinese is simpler and more rigid.
Subject + Time + Place + Object + Verb
Verb position is the main difference.
Verb + Subject + Object + Time/Place
Verb position is the main difference.
Subject + Time + Place + Verb + Object
None.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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