Chinese sentence patterns
Build sentences you can use. Clear explanations, pinyin, and examples for 16 foundational patterns.
Basic word order
Build a statement with a subject, a verb, and an object.
Identity with 是
Say who someone is or what something is.
Yes/no questions with 吗
Turn a statement into a question without reversing its word order.
Question words stay in place
Use 什么, 谁, 哪儿, and 什么时候 in the position of the missing information.
Negation with 不 and 没
Distinguish a general negative from not having or not having done something.
Describing with 很
Use an adjective as the main description of a subject.
Possession with 的
Connect an owner or description to a noun.
Numbers and classifiers
Count people and objects with an appropriate measure word.
Time and place before the action
Say when and where an action takes place.
Completed events with 了
Introduce the aspect particle 了 without treating it as a past-tense ending.
Experience with 过
Talk about having done something before.
Actions in progress with 在
Describe what someone is doing right now.
Want, can, and know how
Choose 想, 要, 会, 能, or 可以 for the meaning you need.
Comparisons with 比
Compare a quality of two people or things.
Reasons with 因为 and 所以
Connect a reason to its result.
Topic and comment
Set up what you are talking about, then say something about it.