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
Understand Chinese Grammar Faster

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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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A1 Pinyin & Tones Verified

Chinese Syllables: Pinyin & Tones Structure

Chinese syllables are fixed blocks of sound (Initial + Final) that change meaning entirely based on their Tone pitch.

  • Structure is Initial + Final + Tone.
  • Tone marks go on a > o > e.
11 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B1 Particles Verified

Making Suggestions with `吧` (ba)

`吧` (ba) turns a command into a polite suggestion and a statement into a soft assumption.

  • Use `吧` (ba) at the end of a sentence to make a s...
  • It softens your tone, making you sound more polite...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C2 Advanced Patterns Verified

Four-Character Magic: Chengyu Patterns

Mastering the structural architecture of Chengyu allows you to use advanced Chinese with native-level rhythm and precision.

  • Most Chengyu follow rigid 4-character structural p...
  • Patterns create rhythm and symmetry, making them e...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Particles Verified

The Three 'De' Particles: 的, 地, 得 Explained

Distinguish the three 'de' particles by checking if they modify a noun, a verb, or express a result.

  • Use `的` before nouns to describe things or show p...
  • Use `地` before verbs to describe how an action is...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Pinyin & Tones Verified

Pinyin System Basics

Pinyin maps every Mandarin sound to Latin letters plus tone marks — master it first.

  • Pinyin uses Latin letters to represent Mandarin sy...
  • Every syllable has an initial (consonant), final (...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Time Expressions Verified

First... then... (先...然后/再)

Structure sequences logicially by placing `先` before the first action and `然后` or `再` before the second.

  • Use `先` (xiān) before the first verb to mean 'fir...
  • Use `然后` (ránhòu) or `再` (zài) to connect the n...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Pinyin & Tones Verified

Four Tones + Neutral Tone

Each of the four tones has a distinct pitch shape — get them wrong and you say a different word.

  • Mandarin has 4 tones plus a neutral tone — each ch...
  • 1st: high-flat (ā), 2nd: rising (á), 3rd: dipping...
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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B1 Time Expressions Verified

Sequencing Actions: First... Then... (xiān... ránhòu...)

Connect sequential actions using {先|xiān} + Action 1 followed by {然后|ránhòu} + Action 2 to sound naturally organized.

  • Use {先|xiān} before the first verb phrase to mean...
  • Use {然后|ránhòu} to introduce the second action m...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

The 'To Be' Verb: 是 (shì)

The verb 是 (shì) acts strictly as an equals sign linking two nouns, never a noun to an adjective.

  • Connects a noun to another noun like an equals sig...
  • Never use it to link a noun to an adjective.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 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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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

Negation with 不 (bù): Saying 'Not' in Chinese

`不` (bù) is your main tool for saying "not" in the present or future, placed right before a verb or adjective.

  • `不` (bù) negates verbs and adjectives.
  • Place `不` (bù) directly before the word you want...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C2 Particles Verified

Literary Noun Chains (之...之...)

Stack 之 instead of 的 to connect nouns when you want to sound like a sophisticated scholar.

  • Replaces repetitive 的 particles in formal writing...
  • Elevates tone to an academic or literary register.
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Advanced Patterns Verified

Formal Passives: 蒙 (méng), 遭 (zāo), and 受 (shòu)

Use {受|shòu}, {遭|zāo}, and {蒙|méng} to create formal, agent-less passive sentences that emphasize the subject's experience rather than the doer's action.

  • {受|shòu}: Neutral/Positive "receive" (abstract no...
  • {遭|zāo}: Negative "encounter" (disasters/misfortu...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Particles Verified

The 'Obviousness' Particle 嘛 (ma)

Use 嘛 at the end of a sentence to signal that your statement is obvious, expected, or common sense.

  • Indicates obviousness or "duh" logic
  • Softens advice or suggestions
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.