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: B1
B1 Complement System Verified

Can/Can't do: The Potential Complement

Add 不了 to a verb when you physically can't do something due to time, capacity, or situation.

  • • Use Verb + 得了/不了 for potential.
  • • Means can/cannot due to circumstances.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Complement System Verified

Asking "Can you?" with Potential Complements

Use Verb + 得 + Result + 吗 to ask if an action's outcome is possible, like 'Can you finish eating?'

  • • Structure: Verb + 得 + Complement + 吗?
  • • Asks if a result is possible.
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Location & Direction Verified

Directional Complement: Up Toward Speaker (上来)

`上来 (shànglái)` signals upward movement towards the speaker's current location.

  • • Use `上来 (shànglái)` for movement that is both up...
  • • It combines `上 (shàng)` (up) and `来 (lái)` (come...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Complement System Verified

Coming In Toward You: 进来 (jìnlái)

Use {进来|jìnlái} when someone or something enters a space where you are currently located.

  • • Used when action moves INTO a space TOWARDS you
  • • Structure: Verb + 进 + [Place] + 来
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Location & Direction Verified

Going Out and Away (出去)

Use '出去' when an action moves from inside to outside and away from your current position.

  • • Indicates movement from inside to outside, moving...
  • • Formed by Verb + 出去 (chūqù).
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Location & Direction Verified

Continuing Action: 'Down Away' (xiàqù)

Use `下去` to describe an action moving physically downward or continuing steadily from the present into the future.

  • • Used after verbs to show physical movement down an...
  • • Indicates the continuation of an action that has a...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Verb Aspects Verified

Brief and Tentative Actions (V + 一 + V)

Use `V + 一 + V` to make actions sound brief, casual, and much more polite in conversation.

  • • Used with monosyllabic action verbs to indicate a...
  • • Softens the tone of requests, making them sound mo...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Sentence Structure Verified

Almost & Nearly (几乎 jīhū)

Place `几乎` (jīhū) directly before verbs or adjectives to describe something that nearly happened or is nearly true.

  • • Use `几乎` (jīhū) to say 'almost' or 'nearly' in C...
  • • Always place `几乎` before the verb or adjective i...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Sentence Structure Verified

Emphasizing Details with 是...的 (shì...de)

Wrap a past action's details in 是 and 的 to put a spotlight on when, where, or how it happened.

  • • Used to emphasize details of past events.
  • • Highlights time, place, manner, or purpose.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Advanced Patterns Verified

Expressing 'Even' with 连...都/也 (lián...dōu/yě)

Emphasize extreme cases by placing them between `连` and `都/也` to show surprise or disbelief.

  • • Use `连...都/也` to express 'even' for extreme or...
  • • The emphasized element always comes immediately af...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Expressing 'No Wonder' with 难怪 (nánguài)

Use `{难怪|nánguài}` to link a newly discovered reason to a visible result with an 'Aha!' feeling.

  • • Used to express a sudden realization or 'Aha!' mom...
  • • Commonly follows a reason to explain a previously...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

No Wonder! (怪不得)

Use `怪不得` to connect a discovery to an observation, showing an 'Aha!' moment of realization.

  • • Used to express 'No wonder' or 'So that's why' upo...
  • • Connects a newly discovered reason to an observed...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Expressing Surprise in Chinese (竟然 & 居然)

Express surprise by placing {竟然|jìngrán} or {居然|jūrán} before the verb to mean 'unexpectedly' or 'actually.'

  • • Use {竟然|jìngrán} or {居然|jūrán} to express surp...
  • • Place them right before the verb or adjective in a...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

On the Contrary: Using {反而|fǎn'ér}

Use {反而|fǎn'ér} when a result is the exact opposite of what logic suggests.

  • • Means "on the contrary" or "instead"
  • • Used for unexpected/ironic results
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Chinese Logic: 'Since... Then...' (既然...就...)

Use `{既然|jìrán}...{就|jiù}...` to turn an established fact into a logical next step or firm suggestion.

  • • Connects a known fact to a logical conclusion or s...
  • • Translates to 'Since...' or 'Now that...' in Engli...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Expressing 'No Matter' with Buguan (不管)

Always follow `不管` with a choice or question word and pair it with `都` for the result.

  • • Used to show a result is the same regardless of th...
  • • Must follow with a question word or an 'A or B' ch...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Modal Verbs Verified

Expressing Possibility with 能 (néng)

Use `能` when checking if circumstances, physics, or logistics allow an action to happen right now.

  • • Used for physical ability and feasibility
  • • Expresses circumstantial possibility (time/schedul...
10 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.

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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.

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