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: A2
A2 Pinyin & Tones Verified

Tone Changes - 3rd Tone Combination

Two 3rd tones back-to-back always make the first one sound like a 2nd tone — write nǐ hǎo, say ní hǎo.

  • • Two consecutive 3rd tones → the first changes to 2...
  • • Written pinyin is NOT changed — only spoken pronun...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Time Expressions Verified

Chinese Dates & Calendar: Year, Month, Day

Always organize Chinese dates from largest unit to smallest: Year → Month → Day → Weekday.

  • • Dates follow a strict Year-Month-Day order: bigges...
  • • Years are read digit-by-digit followed by 'nián';...
11 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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A2 Questions Verified

Asking 'How Many': jǐ vs duōshao

Use `几` for small expected amounts (<10) with a measure word; use `多少` for everything else.

  • • Use `几` (jǐ) for small numbers, usually expected...
  • • Use `多少` (duōshao) for large, unknown, or neutra...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Questions Verified

Asking Why in Chinese (为什么)

Place `为什么` before the verb or sentence to ask 'why' without changing the basic word order.

  • • Used to ask 'Why?' by seeking a reason or cause.
  • • Placement is flexible: before the verb or before t...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Questions Verified

How & How Come: Mastering 怎么 (zěnme)

Use 怎么 (zěnme) before a verb to ask for the method, or before an adjective/situation to express surprised 'how come'.

  • • Used before verbs to ask 'how to do something'.
  • • Used to express surprise, meaning 'how come?'.
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Pointing with Words: Using 这/那 with Measure Words

To say 'this/that thing' in Chinese, you must use the pattern 'this/that + measure word + thing'.

  • • Always use a measure word between 这/那 (this/that...
  • • The structure is: 这/那 + Measure Word + Noun.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Counting Books: The Measure Word (běn)

Always use `本` (běn) for books and bound materials instead of the generic `个` (gè).

  • • Used for bound items like books, magazines, and di...
  • • Follows the pattern: Number + 本 + Noun.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Counting Clothes: The Measure Word 'jiàn' (件)

Use `{件|jiàn}` for everything from your favorite T-shirt to important business matters and birthday gifts.

  • • Used for counting upper-body clothing like shirts,...
  • • Applies to abstract 'items' like matters, business...
12 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Counting Long & Wavy Things: 条 (tiáo)

If it's long and wiggly (like a snake) or goes on your legs (like pants), use {条|tiáo}.

  • • Used for long, narrow, flexible objects.
  • • Essential for pants, skirts, and jeans.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Counting Cups: Using {杯|bēi} for Drinks

Use {杯|bēi} as the 'bridge' between a number and any drink served in a cup or glass.

  • • Used for liquids in cups, glasses, or mugs.
  • • Pattern: Number + {杯|bēi} + Beverage.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Counting Cups and Bottles (杯 & 瓶)

Count liquids by their container using Number + {杯|bēi}/{瓶|píng} + Noun to sound like a local.

  • • Use {杯|bēi} for cups, glasses, and mugs.
  • • Use {瓶|píng} for bottles of all materials.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Counting Bottles: How to use 瓶 (píng)

Use 瓶 (píng) to count bottled liquids or items, ensuring you use the correct number-measure-noun sequence.

  • • Used for counting anything in a bottle (water, bee...
  • • Follows the pattern: Number + 瓶 + Noun.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Counting Vehicles with 辆 (liàng)

The measure word `辆` is the mandatory classifier for counting almost any wheeled road vehicle in Chinese.

  • • Use `辆` for wheeled vehicles like cars, bikes, an...
  • • Always use `{两辆}|liǎng liàng}` for 'two vehicles...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Counting Vehicles: The Measure Word 辆 (liàng)

To count or point at any wheeled land vehicle in Chinese, you must use the measure word 辆 (liàng).

  • • Used exclusively for wheeled land vehicles like ca...
  • • Pattern: Number/Pointer + 辆 (liàng) + Vehicle.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Measure Word for Pairs: 双 (shuāng)

Use 双 (shuāng) for natural, matching pairs like shoes and eyes, but never for pants or random items.

  • • Used strictly for natural, identical left/right pa...
  • • Essential for shoes, socks, hands, eyes, and chops...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Portions & Copies: Using 份 (fèn)

Use 份 (fèn) for anything that is a portion, a set, or a copy of a whole.

  • • Used for portions of food, sets, or copies of docu...
  • • Essential for ordering 'set meals' or 'portions' a...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Floors and Layers: Using 层 (céng)

Use `{层|céng}` to describe anything stacked horizontally, from skyscraper floors to cake tiers and digital photo layers.

  • • Measure word for floors, levels, and horizontal la...
  • • Used for buildings, cakes, clothing layers, and di...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

The Measure Word for Courses: 门 (mén)

Use 门 (mén) to count entire subjects or skills, like 'opening a door' to a new field of study.

  • • Used for academic courses and subjects
  • • Counts languages and technical skills
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Measure Word 场 (chǎng) for Events

Use 场 (chǎng) to count immersive events, performances, sports matches, and weather spells instead of 个.

  • • Used for events with a clear start and end.
  • • Perfect for movies, sports matches, and concerts.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Measure Word for Handles (把 bǎ)

Use {把|bǎ} instead of {个|gè} when counting objects you can physically grasp by a handle or hilt.

  • • Used for counting objects with handles.
  • • Common for chairs, umbrellas, keys, and knives.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Location & Direction Verified

Chinese Location Words: On/Above (shàng)

To say something is 'on' a surface in Chinese, place `{上|shàng}` immediately after the noun.

  • • Place `{上|shàng}` after the noun to mean 'on' or...
  • • Use the pattern: `Subject + 在 + Noun + 上`.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Location & Direction Verified

Location Word: 下 (xià) - Under/Below

Chinese location words come AFTER the noun: 'Table Under' not 'Under Table'.

  • • Object + 下面 (xiàmian) = Under the Object
  • • Used for physical position and future time
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Location & Direction Verified

Chinese 'In' and 'Inside' (里 - lǐ)

Add 里 (lǐ) after a noun to indicate being inside a physical or metaphorical space, excluding geographical names.

  • • Place 里 after a noun to mean inside.
  • • Structure: Noun + 里 (e.g., 盒子 + 里).
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Location & Direction Verified

Location Word: 外 (wài) - Outside

`外` (wài) attaches directly to a noun to specify the location as being 'outside' of it.

  • • `外` (wài) means 'outside' or 'external'.
  • • Use it after a noun: `Noun + 外` (e.g., `门外` - o...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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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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