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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Understand Chinese Grammar Faster

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Active filters: CEFR level: A1
A1 Location & Direction Verified

The GPS Verb: Locations with 在 (zài)

Use `在` to pin subjects to locations; never combine it with `是` for simple location sentences.

  • • Use `在` (zài) to express where someone or somethi...
  • • Structure: [Subject] + `在` + [Place]. No other 'i...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Measure Words Verified

Counting Things: Essential Measure Words (量词)

Measure words are mandatory 'classifiers' that link numbers or demonstratives to nouns based on the object's shape or type.

  • • Always place a measure word between a number and a...
  • • Use {个|gè} as the general measure word for people...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

Chinese Sentence Structure: The S-T-P-V-O Blueprint

Mastering the S-T-P-V-O blueprint instantly fixes 80% of beginner Chinese sentence structure mistakes.

  • • The golden formula is Subject + Time + Place + Ver...
  • • Time and Place must always come before the action...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

Basic Sentence Order: S-T-P-V-O

Always set the scene (Time and Place) before you say the Action.

  • • No conjugations in Chinese.
  • • Order: Subject + Time + Place + Action.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

Basic Sentence Order (Time & Place)

Set the stage before you act: say When and Where BEFORE the Verb.

  • • Subject + Time + Place + Action
  • • English puts details last; Chinese puts them first
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

Chinese Word Order: Subject + Verb + Object

Chinese follows a simple SVO structure with no verb conjugations, making basic sentence building incredibly straightforward.

  • • Chinese uses Subject + Verb + Object order, just l...
  • • Verbs never conjugate or change form regardless of...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Particles Verified

The Yes/No Question Particle {吗|ma}

To ask a Yes/No question in Chinese, just add the particle {吗|ma} to the end of a statement.

  • • Turns statements into Yes/No questions.
  • • Add {吗|ma} to the very end.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Modal Verbs Verified

Polite Desires: Using 想 (xiǎng) for 'Would Like To'

想 expresses a mental desire or intention, making you sound polite and natural in daily conversations.

  • • Use 想 to express 'would like to' or 'feel like'.
  • • Place 想 directly before the main verb of the sent...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Modal Verbs Verified

Yào (要): The Essential 'Want' & Future

Use {要|yào} for concrete wants and immediate future plans, unlike {想|xiǎng} which is just for thoughts.

  • • Means 'want' with nouns
  • • Means 'going to' with verbs
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Modal Verbs Verified

要 (Yào) - Want, Will & Need

Use `{要|yào}` for direct wants, immediate plans, and things you need to do right now.

  • • Means 'want' when followed by a noun (ordering foo...
  • • Means 'going to' when followed by a verb (plans).
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Modal Verbs Verified

Can You Do It? Modal Verb 能 (Physical Ability)

Use 能 to express what you are physically capable of doing or what circumstances allow right now.

  • • Used for physical capacity, natural talent, and ex...
  • • Differs from 会 (learned skills) by focusing on 'b...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Modal Verbs Verified

Got Skills? Using 会 (huì) for Learned Abilities

Use 会 (huì) to express 'know how to' for any skill that required learning, practice, or study.

  • • Used for skills acquired through learning or pract...
  • • Goes directly before the main action verb.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Modal Verbs Verified

Negating Modal Verbs: `不` vs `没`

Always use `不` to negate modal verbs, regardless of whether you are talking about the present or past.

  • • Modal verbs almost always use `不` (bù) for negati...
  • • Avoid using `没` (méi) with verbs like `想`, `会`,...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Modal Verbs Verified

Asking Permission with 可以 (kěyǐ)

Use {可以|kěyǐ} when asking for permission or stating that a situation allows something to happen.

  • • Used for permission ("May I?")
  • • Used for possibility ("It is possible")
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

As Long As... (只要...就)

Use 只要...就 to show that one simple condition is all it takes to reach a result.

  • • Used for 'as long as... then...' logic.
  • • Requires the pair 只要 (zhǐyào) and 就 (jiù).
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Verb Aspects Verified

Negating with `没(有)`: Didn't Do & Don't Have

Use `没(有)` for things that didn't happen in the past or that you don't have.

  • • `没(有)` negates actions that did not happen in th...
  • • It also means 'to not have' or that something does...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Hé (和): The word for "And" (Nouns Only!)

Only use 和 (hé) to connect nouns; never use it to connect actions, adjectives, or full sentences.

  • • Connects NOUNS only, never verbs
  • • Means 'and' or 'with'
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

Also / Too (也 yě)

Place `也` (yě) immediately after the subject and before the verb to express 'also' or 'too'.

  • • Always place `也` (yě) before the verb or adjectiv...
  • • Never put `也` at the end of a sentence.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

The 'One More Thing' Word: also & still (还 - hái)

Place `还` before the verb to add items to a list or show an action is still happening.

  • • Use `还` (hái) to mean 'also', 'in addition', or '...
  • • Always place `还` after the subject and before the...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Complement System Verified

How Well Do You Do It? The Degree Complement (得)

Use `得` after a verb to judge or describe the quality and extent of an action.

  • • Connects a verb to an adjective to describe qualit...
  • • Always placed after the verb: Verb + 得 + Adjectiv...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Doing Two Things at Once (yībiān... yībiān...)

Use 一边... 一边... to describe multitasking or two actions occurring simultaneously by the same person.

  • • Used for two actions happening at the exact same t...
  • • Follows the pattern: Subject + 一边 + Action A +...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Doing two things at once (一边...一边)

Use 一边...一边 to describe one person multitasking two continuous actions at the same time.

  • • Used for one person doing two actions simultaneous...
  • • The structure is Subject + 一边 + Verb 1 + 一边 +...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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Why Learn Chinese Grammar?

Grammar is the foundation of language fluency. Without understanding grammar patterns, you can memorize vocabulary but struggle to form correct sentences. Here's why structured grammar study matters:

Build Accurate Sentences

Move beyond memorized phrases. Understand the rules so you can create original, correct sentences in any situation.

Pass Language Exams

Grammar is tested in every major language exam — IELTS, DELE, DELF, JLPT, HSK, TOPIK, and more. Our CEFR-aligned curriculum maps directly to exam requirements.

Understand Native Speakers

Knowing grammar helps you parse complex sentences, understand nuance, and follow conversations even when speakers use advanced constructions.

Progress Faster

Students who study grammar systematically reach fluency faster than those who rely on immersion alone. Structure accelerates learning.

How Our Chinese Grammar Course Works

1

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

Study Structured Chapters

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

3

Practice with Exercises

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

4

Track & Progress

Your progress is saved automatically. Complete chapters, unlock new levels, and watch your grammar mastery grow.

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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