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: A2
A2 Location & Direction Verified

Next to & Beside (旁边 - pángbiān)

To say something is 'next to' another, use the pattern: [Reference Noun] + 旁边 (pángbiān).

  • • Used to express 'next to' or 'beside' in physical...
  • • Always place '旁边' (pángbiān) AFTER the reference...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Location & Direction Verified

Chinese Location Words: 'In Front' (前面)

To say 'in front of X', simply put X before `前面` (e.g., `{学校|xuéxiào} {前面|qiánmiàn}`).

  • • Place the object before `前面` to mean 'in front o...
  • • Use `在...前面` to describe where someone or somet...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Location & Direction Verified

Location Word: 后面 (hòumiàn) - Behind

Always place 后面 (hòumiàn) AFTER the object you are locating, never before it.

  • • Structure: [Reference Object] + 后面 (hòumiàn).
  • • Means "Behind X" or "At the back of X".
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Aspects Verified

The 'Completed Action' Particle {了|le}

Think of {了|le} as a 'Done' checkbox for specific actions, not a generic past tense marker.

  • • Marks an action as completed
  • • Goes immediately after the verb
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Aspects Verified

Negating Past Actions (méiyǒu)

When negating past or completed actions, use 没有 and delete the completion particle 了 entirely.

  • • Use 没有 to negate completed actions or past event...
  • • Never use 了 and 没有 together in the same simple...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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A2 Particles Verified

Describing Actions with 得 (de)

Use `得` to describe how an action is performed: `Verb + 得 + Adjective`.

  • • Connects a verb to a description of its quality or...
  • • Must follow the verb directly; repeat verb if ther...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Particles Verified

The Ongoing State Particle 着 (zhe)

Use 着 (zhe) right after a verb to freeze time and describe an ongoing state, like wearing or holding.

  • • Used to describe an ongoing state or condition.
  • • Place directly after the verb, before the object.
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Time Expressions Verified

In the Process Of: 正在 (zhèngzài)

Use {正在|zhèngzài} before a verb to express actions happening right this second (the Chinese "-ing").

  • • Subject + 正在 + Verb + Object
  • • Means action is happening NOW
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Time Expressions Verified

Chinese Grammar: 'Just Now' (`刚`)

Place `刚` right before the verb to show an action just happened or feels very recent.

  • • Use `刚` to express 'just' or 'moments ago'.
  • • Always place `刚` after the subject and before the...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Time Expressions Verified

Just Now: Using 刚才 (Gāngcái) vs 刚 (Gāng)

{刚才|gāngcái} is a versatile time noun for the immediate past that can sit before or after the subject.

  • • Means "just now" or "a moment ago"
  • • Acts as a Time Noun (can follow prepositions)
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Time Expressions Verified

Doing it Right Away ({马上|mǎshàng})

Use {马上|mǎshàng} before a verb to express immediate action in a modern, urgent way.

  • • Means 'immediately' or 'right away'.
  • • Always placed before the verb.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Particles Verified

The 'What About...?' Particle (呢)

The ultimate conversational shortcut for asking 'What about...?' and keeping the dialogue flowing naturally.

  • • Used for follow-up questions to avoid being repeti...
  • • Follows the pattern: Noun or Pronoun + 呢 (ne).
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Modal Verbs Verified

Chinese Modal Verb: Can & Know How To (会)

Use `会` to express learned skills like languages, sports, and technical abilities you've acquired through practice.

  • • Use `会` for skills you had to learn or study.
  • • Place `会` directly before the main verb in a sent...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Modal Verbs Verified

How to say 'Can' or 'Able To': 能 (néng)

Use 能 (néng) when you have the physical ability, the time, or the right circumstances to do an action.

  • • Used for physical ability and circumstantial possi...
  • • Follows the pattern: Subject + 能 + Verb + Object.
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Modal Verbs Verified

Asking Permission with 'kěyǐ' (可以)

Use `可以` for permission and possibility, but keep `会` for learned skills and `能` for physical ability.

  • • Used to ask for or give permission in social situa...
  • • Placed directly before the main verb in a sentence...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Modal Verbs Verified

Should & Ought To: Giving Advice in Chinese (应该)

Use `应该` (yīnggāi) to express what should happen or provide friendly advice before a verb.

  • • Used for giving advice, suggestions, and reasonabl...
  • • Place `应该` directly before the main verb in a se...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Location & Direction Verified

Chinese Grammar: From & To (从 cóng... 到 dào)

Link starting and ending points in time or space by placing '从 [Start] 到 [End]' before the verb.

  • • Use 从 (cóng) for the start and 到 (dào) for the e...
  • • Works for both physical distances and spans of tim...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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A2 Time Expressions Verified

Expressing 'When' with 的时候 (de shíhou)

To say 'when [X] happens' in Chinese, state the situation first and attach 的时候 at the end.

  • • Put 的时候 (de shíhou) at the END of a phrase to m...
  • • Use it for actions, adjectives, or nouns to set a...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Measure Words Verified

Counting Actions with 'Times' (次)

Use `[Verb] + [Number] + 次` to count occurrences; remember pronouns come before the measure word.

  • • Used to count how many times an action occurs.
  • • Place it directly after the verb, not before.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Aspects Verified

Experiencing the Past: Using 过 (guo)

Add `过` after a verb to share something you've experienced at least once in your life.

  • • Use `过` to talk about past experiences and life h...
  • • Place `过` directly after the verb without any cha...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Aspects Verified

Past Experiences: Have You Ever? (过 guo)

Use `过` to talk about life experiences—things you've "been there and done" in your past history.

  • • `过` marks a past experience that has happened at...
  • • It implies the action is finished and no longer cu...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Aspects Verified

Never done it: Negation with 没...过

To say you haven't experienced something, sandwich the verb between `没` and `过`.

  • • Use `没(有)` + Verb + `过`
  • • Means "haven't done before"
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.

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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.

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

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

How Our Chinese Grammar Course Works

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

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

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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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