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: B2
B2 Measure Words Verified

The Measure Word `笔` (bǐ) for Sums of Money

`笔` (`bǐ`) acts like a container, bundling money into a specific 'sum' or 'transaction'.

  • • `笔` is a measure word for sums of money.
  • • Use it for transactions, funds, and deals.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Modal Verbs Verified

Expressing 'Have To': The Colloquial `得 (děi)`

Use `得 (děi)` for informal, everyday obligations, and remember its negative is `不用 (búyòng)`.

  • • `得 (děi)` means "have to" or "must" in a colloqui...
  • • It expresses a practical necessity, not a strong m...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Advanced Patterns Verified

Must & Necessity: The 'Fe... Buke' Pattern

Use `非...不可` to express an unavoidable necessity or an unshakeable determination to do something.

  • • Expresses absolute necessity or strong insistence...
  • • Place the required action between the markers 'fēi...
10 examples 1 exercises 20 FAQ
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B2 Advanced Patterns Verified

Urgent Advice: Don't Forget! (千万 qiānwàn)

Use 千万 (qiānwàn) to give 'life-or-death' level advice or warnings to people you care about.

  • • Used for urgent advice, strong warnings, or sincer...
  • • Literally means 'ten million,' but functions as 'b...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

As Soon As... Then... (一...就...)

Use 一...就... to connect two events where the second happens instantly after the first.

  • • Expresses 'as soon as' or 'whenever'.
  • • Connects two actions with zero delay.
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Connecting Actions with 于是 (yúshì)

Use `于是` to link sequential events narratively, focusing on 'and thereupon' rather than just 'logical so'.

  • • Connects actions where the second follows the firs...
  • • Used for narrative flow and storytelling.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Avoiding Trouble: How to use 'Lest' (以免)

Use 以免 to link a proactive action to the specific negative outcome you want to prevent.

  • • Used to connect a preventive action with an unwant...
  • • Translates to 'in order to avoid' or 'so as not to...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Formal Purpose: 'So that' with 以便 (yǐbiàn)

Use `以便` (yǐbiàn) in formal contexts to show how an action facilitates a specific, positive future result.

  • • Used in the second clause to express purpose or fa...
  • • Formal tone, perfect for business emails, apps, an...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B2 Sentence Structure Verified

Explaining the 'Why' (之所以...是因为...)

Use `之所以...是因为...` to highlight the reason for an event by stating the result first.

  • • Flips the standard cause-effect order to emphasize...
  • • Follows the formula: Subject + 之所以 + Result +...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Acknowledging Facts with 固然...但是... (Admittedly... but...)

Use 固然...但是 to concede a point gracefully before presenting your main, contrasting argument in professional or nuanced contexts.

  • • Used to acknowledge a fact (granted/admittedly) be...
  • • More formal and nuanced than the basic 'suiran......
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Adding Reasons with '再说' (zàishuō)

再说 (zàishuō) is your go-to for adding a killer final reason or for politely putting off a decision until later.

  • • Use 再说 (zàishuō) to add a strong, conclusive rea...
  • • It's also used to postpone a decision or discussio...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Advanced Patterns Verified

Emphasis: Not Even/Even (连...都)

Use `连...都` to highlight an extreme example that makes your point surprisingly clear and dramatic.

  • • Emphasizes extreme, surprising cases.
  • • Structure: Lián + Extreme + Dōu/Yě + Verb.
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Advanced Patterns Verified

Extreme Emphasis: Even X Does Y (连...都/也)

Use 连...都/也 to dramatically emphasize an extreme case, translating perfectly to 'even X' or 'not even one Y'.

  • • Frames an extreme example to prove a point.
  • • Structure: 连 (lián) + Extreme Item + 都/也 (dōu/y...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Not to mention... even... (别说...连...)

Emphasize extremes by showing that if a simple thing is impossible, the complex one definitely is.

  • • Used for extreme emphasis: 'Not to mention A, even...
  • • A is the expected/big thing; B is the surprising/s...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Using 何况 to Mean "Let Alone" (hékuàng)

Use `何况` to show that if a basic situation is true, an extreme one is definitely true.

  • • Used to mean 'let alone' or 'not to mention'.
  • • Compares a simple situation with an even more extr...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Chinese Logic: 'Let Alone' & 'Not to Mention' (何况)

Use {何况|hékuàng} to show that if a simple thing is true, a harder thing is definitely true.

  • • Used to mean 'let alone' or 'not to mention' in co...
  • • Connects a basic fact to an even more extreme logi...
11 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Choosing Your Path: Would Rather (宁 nìng)

Use `宁` when you’re making a firm choice, especially between two not-so-great options.

  • • Used to express a strong preference between two op...
  • • Commonly paired with 也不 (yě bù) for 'rather A th...
12 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Dramatic Choices: Would Rather... Than...

Use {宁可|nìngkě}... {也不|yěbù} to show determination to choose one option strictly to avoid another.

  • • Means 'Would rather A than B'
  • • Used for determined choices
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Chinese 'Even If' (即使...也...)

Use `即使...也...` to show that a hypothetical condition won't change your planned result or action.

  • • Used for 'even if' scenarios.
  • • Pairs hypotheticals with unchanged results.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Even if... still (即使...也)

Use `即使...也` to show that a result remains constant despite a challenging or hypothetical condition.

  • • Used for hypothetical situations: "Even if A happe...
  • • Requires 'jíshǐ' in the first clause and 'yě' in t...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

The Anxious "If": Using {万一|wànyī}

Use {万一|wànyī} for unlikely, usually worrisome 'what if' situations, distinct from the neutral {如果|rúguǒ}.

  • • Literally means 'one in ten thousand'
  • • Used for 'just in case' scenarios
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:

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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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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.

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