Chinese Grammar Hub

Understand Chinese Grammar Faster

Browse the grammar system by level and category, then open clear explanations with practical examples.

399 Total Rules
73 Chapters
6 CEFR level
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Active filters: CEFR level: A1
A1 Pinyin & Tones Verified

Chinese Syllables: Pinyin & Tones Structure

Chinese syllables are fixed blocks of sound (Initial + Final) that change meaning entirely based on their Tone pitch.

  • • Structure is Initial + Final + Tone.
  • • Tone marks go on a > o > e.
11 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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A1 Pinyin & Tones Verified

Pinyin System Basics

Pinyin maps every Mandarin sound to Latin letters plus tone marks — master it first.

  • • Pinyin uses Latin letters to represent Mandarin sy...
  • • Every syllable has an initial (consonant), final (...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Pinyin & Tones Verified

Four Tones + Neutral Tone

Each of the four tones has a distinct pitch shape — get them wrong and you say a different word.

  • • Mandarin has 4 tones plus a neutral tone — each ch...
  • • 1st: high-flat (ā), 2nd: rising (á), 3rd: dipping...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

The 'To Be' Verb: 是 (shì)

The verb 是 (shì) acts strictly as an equals sign linking two nouns, never a noun to an adjective.

  • • Connects a noun to another noun like an equals sig...
  • • Never use it to link a noun to an adjective.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

Negation with 不 (bù): Saying 'Not' in Chinese

`不` (bù) is your main tool for saying "not" in the present or future, placed right before a verb or adjective.

  • • `不` (bù) negates verbs and adjectives.
  • • Place `不` (bù) directly before the word you want...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

Chinese Adjectives Don't Need 'is' (No 是)

To describe something in Chinese, connect the subject and adjective with an adverb like 很 (hěn), not the verb 是 (shì).

  • • In Chinese, adjectives act as verbs, so they don't...
  • • Use adverbs like 很 (hěn) to connect a subject to...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

Having things and 'There is' ({有|yǒu})

Use {有|yǒu} for all possession and existence; just remember to negate it with {没|méi}, never {不|bù}.

  • • Use {有|yǒu} for 'to have' or 'there is'.
  • • Never use {不|bù} to negate it; always use {没有|m...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

The 'is' word for descriptions (很 hěn)

Use `很|hěn` to connect subjects to adjectives; it acts as a neutral 'is' rather than 'very'.

  • • Used as a 'linking word' between subjects and adje...
  • • Does not usually mean 'very' in simple sentences.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

Simple Descriptions with {很|hěn}

Never use {是|shì} to describe things; use {很|hěn} + Adjective instead.

  • • No 'to be' verbs allowed
  • • Adjectives act like verbs
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Questions Verified

Asking Yes/No Questions with 'ma' (吗)

Simply add `吗` (ma) to any statement to turn it into a yes/no question without changing word order.

  • • Chinese uses Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order, just...
  • • Add the particle `吗` (ma) to the end to form yes/...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Expressing 'As Long As' ({只要|zhǐyào}...{就|jiù})

Use {只要|zhǐyào}...{就|jiù} to show that one simple condition is enough to guarantee a specific result.

  • • Uses {只要|zhǐyào} for the condition and {就|jiù}...
  • • Means 'as long as' or 'provided that' in English.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Time Expressions Verified

Golden Rule: Time Before Verb

In Chinese, always set the time frame before you mention the action—never at the end of the sentence.

  • • Time words strictly go BEFORE the verb.
  • • Structure: Subject + Time + Verb + Object.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Questions Verified

Asking 'What' in Chinese (shénme)

In Chinese, keep the word order of a statement and replace the unknown object with {什么|shénme}.

  • • Means 'what' in questions
  • • Don't move it to the front
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Questions Verified

Asking 'Who' in Chinese: Using 谁 (shéi)

Chinese question words like 谁 don't move; they replace the person's name in the sentence.

  • • Used for 'who' or 'whose' (with de).
  • • Question words stay in the answer's position.
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Questions Verified

Yes/No Questions with 吗 (ma)

Add `吗` {ma|ma} to the end of any statement to turn it into a Yes/No question.

  • • Turns statements into Yes/No questions
  • • Goes at the very end
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Questions Verified

Asking 'Where' in Chinese (哪里 / 哪儿)

Chinese question words like 'nǎlǐ' stay in place—just swap the location for the question word.

  • • Used to ask 'where' in Chinese.
  • • Place it exactly where the answer would go.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Particles Verified

Expressing Possession: 's and My/Your with 的 (de)

Add {的|de} after a noun or pronoun to say something belongs to someone, like an English 's.

  • • Place {的|de} between the owner and the object to...
  • • It works exactly like the English apostrophe-s ('s...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Particles Verified

Possession & Details: The particle 'de' (的)

Use `的|de` to link any description or owner to a noun, placing the modifier first.

  • • Connects possessors to nouns (My phone -> {我|wǒ}...
  • • Attaches adjectives to nouns ({漂亮|piàoliang} {的...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Measure Words Verified

The Universal "Thing" Counter: 个 (gè)

Think of {个|gè} as a mandatory bridge connecting numbers to nouns; without it, the sentence falls apart.

  • • {个|gè} is the universal measure word for people a...
  • • Always place it BETWEEN the number and the noun.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

Emphasizing Past Details (是...的)

Use the shì...de frame to spotlight exactly when, where, how, or who did a past action.

  • • Highlights details of an action that already happe...
  • • Emphasizes time, place, manner, or the actor.
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Measure Words Verified

Counting Books and Magazines (běn)

Always use the measure word 本 (běn) when counting or pointing to books and bound materials.

  • • Used for bound items like books, magazines, and no...
  • • Essential bridge between a number and a noun.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Measure Words Verified

Flat Objects Measure Word (张 - zhāng)

Use `张` (zhāng) for anything flat, thin, or with a wide surface, from paper to tables.

  • • Used for flat objects like paper, tickets, tables,...
  • • Follows the pattern: Number + 张 (zhāng) + Noun.
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Measure Words Verified

Polite People Counter (位 wèi)

Use `{位|wèi}` to show respect to others; use `{个|gè}` for yourself and casual situations.

  • • Polite measure word for people.
  • • Used for teachers, doctors, and guests.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Measure Words Verified

Counting Animals: Using 只 (zhī)

Use `只` (zhī) as the standard measure word for fluffy animals, birds, insects, and single items of pairs.

  • • Used for counting most birds and medium/small anim...
  • • Follows the pattern: Number + 只 (zhī) + Animal Na...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Location & Direction Verified

Saying 'There is': Existence with 有 (yǒu)

Chinese sentences describing existence start with the location and use {有|yǒu} to reveal what is there.

  • • Use {有|yǒu} to say 'there is' or 'there are' in a...
  • • The sentence must start with the Location, not the...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Time Expressions Verified

Chinese Time Words: Today, Tomorrow, Now

Always place time words before the verb to set the stage for your action.

  • • Time words always come BEFORE the verb in Chinese...
  • • Place time words either at the very start or after...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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Why Learn Chinese Grammar?

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Choose Your Level

Start with your CEFR level — from A0 Zero Point to C2 Mastery. Not sure? Begin at A0 and progress at your own pace.

2

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Each chapter covers a grammar topic with clear explanations, pattern tables, and real-world example sentences.

3

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Test your understanding with interactive exercises — fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, sentence building, and translation practice.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Chinese Grammar

SubLearn covers 399 Chinese grammar rules organized across 6 CEFR proficiency levels (from A1 to C2), spanning 73 structured chapters. Each rule includes clear explanations, real-world examples, and interactive practice exercises.

Our Chinese grammar curriculum covers CEFR levels from A1 to C2. Each level is designed to match your current proficiency — beginners start with basic sentence patterns at A1, while advanced learners tackle nuanced structures at C1-C2.

Yes! All Chinese grammar rules, explanations, and examples are completely free to access. You can browse the full curriculum, read detailed explanations, and practice with exercises at no cost.

Grammar is organized into 73 thematic chapters following the CEFR framework. Each chapter groups related rules together — for example, verb tenses, sentence structure, or particles — so you can learn related concepts in a logical sequence.

Yes! Create a free account to track which grammar rules you've studied, see your progress across all CEFR levels, and pick up exactly where you left off. Your learning progress syncs across devices.

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