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HSK Guide/HSK 3 Grammar

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Parts of Speech

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These following grammar points fit pretty neatly into one part of speech category.

Adjectives

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Adjectives with "-ji le" Adj. + 极了 这个 主意 好 极了 。

This is a very good idea.

Reduplication of adjectives Adj. + Adj. 你 应该 慢慢 地 走。

You should walk slowly.

Turning adjectives into adverbs Adj. + 地 + Verb 你 要 认真 地 学习。

You should study seriously.

Adverbs

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "again" in the past with "you" 又 + Verb + 了 你 又 迟到

You are late again.

Expressing "all along" with "yizhi" Subj. + 一直 + Predicate 我 一直 在 现在 的 公司 工作。

I'm still working at my current company all along.

Expressing "always" with "zongshi" 总是 + Verb 他 总是 迟到。

He is always late.

Expressing duration of inaction Duration + 没 + Verb + 了 已经 一 个 星期 没 洗澡

It's been 1 week and he still hasn't bathed yet.

Expressing "finally" with "zhongyu" Subj. + 终于 + Predicate + 了 你 终于 到

You are finally here.

Expressing lateness with "cai" Subj. + Time + 才 + Verb 他 二十五 岁 才 上 大学 。

He only entered university at 25 years old.

Expressing "nearly" with "jihu" Subj. + 几乎 + Verb 他 的 头发 几乎 全 白 了 。

His hair is almost all white.

Expressing "only" with "zhi" 只 + Verb 我 只 有 一个 妹妹。

I only have a younger sister.

Sequencing with "xian" and "zai" 先⋯⋯ ,再⋯⋯ 先 洗 手 ,再 吃饭 。

Wash hands first before eating.

Simultaneous tasks with "yibian" 一边 + Verb 1 (,) 一边 + Verb 2 不要 一边 说话 ,一边 吃 东西。

Don't talk while you're eating.

Using "always" as a complaint with "laoshi" Subj. + 老 (是 ) + Verb 你 怎么 老是 加班 ?

How are you always still working overtime?

Using "cai" for small numbers 才 + Number + Measure Word + Noun 这 个 班 才 两 个 学生 。

There are only 2 students in this class.

Adverbs with Adjectives

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Adjectives with "name" and "zheme" 那么 / 这么 + Adj. 你 怎么 那么 忙 ?

Why are you always this busy?

Basic comparisons with "yiyang" Noun 1 + 跟 / 和 + Noun 2 + 一样 + Adj. 你 跟 他 一样 高 。

You are as tall as him.

Expressing "both A and B" with "you" 又⋯⋯ 又⋯⋯ 他 又 高 又 帅。

He is both tall and handsome.

Expressing "rather" with "bijiao" Subj. + 比较 + Adj. 这个 问题 比较 简单 。

This question is more simpler.

Intensifying with "duo" Subj. + 多 + Adj. 多 好!外面 多 舒服!

So good! It's so comfortable outside!

Modifying nouns with adjective + "de" Adj. + 的 + Noun 好喝 的 啤酒 / 可爱 的 宝宝

Yummy beer / Cute baby

Conjunctions

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "or" in statements ⋯⋯或者⋯⋯ 我 想 去 青岛 或者 南京。

I want to go to Qingdao or Nanking.

Expressing "then…" with "name" 那么⋯⋯ 他 不 听 ,那 我 应该 怎么办 ?

He doesn't listen, so what should I do?

Expressing "with" with "gen" 跟⋯⋯ + Verb 你 要 跟 我 一起 去 吗?

Do you want to go with me?

Offering choices with "haishi" A + 还是 + B ? 你 要 喝 茶 还是 咖啡 ?

Do you want to drink tea or coffee?

Nouns

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Before a specific time with "yiqian" Time / Verb + 以前 十 点 以前,我 在 家。

I'm at home before 10.

Expressing "before" in general with "yiqian" 以前,⋯⋯ 以前,我 不 会 说 中文。

I didn't know how to speak Chinese in the past.

Expressing "just now" with "gangcai" 刚才 + Verb 你 刚才 什么 了?

What did you just say?

Expressing "when" with "shi" Time + 时 考试 时 不要 说话 。

Don't talk during the exam.

In the future in general with "yihou" 以后,⋯⋯ 以后,你 不要 问 我。

Don't ask me next time.

Sequencing past events with "houlai" ⋯⋯ ,后来 ⋯⋯ 开始 他 不 同意, 但 后来 同意了。

At first he didn't agree, but later he agreed.

Numbers

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Approximating with sequential numbers Number 1 + Number 2 三 四个 人。一 两 天。

3 or 4 people. 1 or 2 days.

Big numbers in Chinese Number + 万 / 亿 五 万

50, 000

Structure of times (advanced) Number 1 + 点(钟) + Number 2 + 分 现在 十一点十八分 。

It's now 11:18.

Structure of times (basic) Number + 点(钟) 现在 十一点 。

It's now 11 o' clock.

Particles

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Aspect particle "zhe" Verb + 着 我 读 ,你 听 着 。

I read, you listen.

Change of state with "le" ⋯⋯了 我 25 岁 了。

I'm 25 years old already.

Questions with "ne" ⋯⋯呢 ? 我 很 好。你 呢 ?

I'm fine. And you?

Structural particle "de" 的 / 得 / 地 红色的车,跑得很快,慢慢地走

A red car, runs very fast, walks slowly

Prepositions

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "about" with "guanyu" 关于 + Obj. ,⋯⋯ 关于 中国 历史 ,我 知道 的 不 多 。

I don't know much about Chinese history.

Expressing "all the way until" with "zhidao" 直到 + Time / Event ,Subj. + 才 ⋯⋯ 直到 十二 点 半 ,我 才 做 完 作业 。

I only completed my homework until 12:30.

Expressing "towards" with "xiang" 向 + Direction / Person + Verb 你 必须 向 他 道歉!

You must apologize to him!

Verbs

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Appearance with "kanqilai" 看起来⋯⋯ 这 家 餐厅 看起来 不错 。

This restaurant looks good.

Basic comparisons with "meiyou" Noun 1 + 没(有) + Noun 2 + Adj. 你 没有 我 胖 。

You aren't as fat as me.

Causative verbs Subj. + 让 / 叫 / 请 / 使 + Person + Predicate 你 为什么 不 让 我 去 ?

Why won't you let me go?

Expressing "through" with "jingguo" 经过 + Event / Time ,⋯⋯ 经过 自己 的 努力 ,她 考上 了 北京 大学 。

She got into Beijing University thanks to her own efforts.

Auxiliary verbs

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "should" with "yinggai" 应该 / 该 + Verb 你 应该 工作。

You should work.

Verb phrases

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "difficult" with "nan" 难 + Verb 难 做。难 买。

Tough to do. Hard to buy.

Expressing duration with "le" Verb + 了 + Duration 他 在 北京 住 了 两 年。

He lived in Beijing for 2 years.

Expressing ongoing duration with double "le" Verb + 了 + Duration + 了 他 在 北京 住 了 两 年 了。

It's been 2 years that he lives in Beijing.

Inability with "mei banfa" 没办法 + Verb 我 没 办法 帮 你。

I can't help you.

Reduplication of verbs Verb + Verb 你 看看。

You look at this.

Special verbs with "hen" 很 + Verb 我 很 喜欢 他。

I like him very much.

Grammatical Structures

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These are grammatical structures that do not correspond to one particular part of speech.

Complements

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Direction complement Verb (+ Direction) + 来 / 去 我们 走 过去 吧 。

Let's walk over there.

Potential complement Verb + 得 / 不 + Complement 做 得 完 / 做 不 完

Can finish / cannot finish

Result complements Verb + 好 / 完 / 错 我们 吃 好 了 。

We're finished eating.

Result complement "-xiaqu" Verb + 下去 这个 故事 太 无聊 了 ,我 听 不 下去

This story is too boring, I can't keep on listening to it.

Conditional Statements

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "as long as" with "zhiyao" 只要⋯⋯,就⋯⋯ 只要 你 过来 , 我们 就 很 开心 。

We will be happy as long as you come over here.

Expressing "only after" with "cai" ⋯⋯,才⋯⋯ 那 本 书 我 看 了 两 遍 才 看 懂。

I only read that book 2 times to understand it.

Expressing "only if" with "zhiyou" 只有⋯⋯,才⋯⋯ 只有 你 帮忙 , 我 才 能 完成 任务 。

I can only finish the task if you help.

Noun Phrases

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Using "youde" to mean "some" 有的 + Noun 派对的时候,有的人在喝酒,有的人在跳舞,还有的人在聊天。

During parties, some people are drinking booze, some people are dancing, and even some people are chatting.

Numbers and Measure Words

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "half" with "ban" Number + Measure Word + 半 + Noun 三 个 半 小时

3 and a half hour

Sentence Patterns

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "not even one" 一 + Measure Word + (Noun) + 也 / 都 + 不 / 没 + Verb 一 句 中文 都 不 会 说 。

Can't even speak 1 Chinese sentence.

Expressing "the more... the more..." with "yue… yue…" Subj.+越+Verb+越 + Adj. / Verb 她 越 想 越 生气 。

The more she thought about it, the more she got angry.

Using "ba" sentences Subj. + 把 + Obj.+ Verb Phrase 我 把 书 看 完 了。

I finished reading the book.

Using "bei" sentences Subj. + 被 + Doer + Verb Phrase 我 被 骗 了 。

I got cheated by him.

Basic/Simple Sentence Patterns

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Alternative existential sentences Place + Verb + 着 + Noun Phrase 桌子 上 放 着 一 本 书 。

There is a book placed on the table.

Expressing "as one likes" with "jiu" 想 + Question Word + 就 + Question Word 想 去 哪儿 就 去 哪儿

Go wherever you want to go.

Expressing "every" with question words Question Word + 都 + Predicate 可以 进 。

Anyone can enter,

Expressing "more and more" with "yuelaiyue" Subj. + 越来越 + Adj. + 了 天气 越来越 冷 了。

The weather is getting cold.

Expressing purpose with "weile" 为了 + Purpose + Verb 为了 钱 ,他 什么 都 愿意 做 。

He is willing to do anything for money.

Expressing "some" with question words 在哪儿 / 谁 / 什么 / 什么时候 这个 人 我 在 哪儿 见 过 。

I think I so this person somewhere.

Comparison Patterns

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing comparable degree with "you" Noun 1 有 Noun 2 + Adj. + 吗? 他 有 我 帅 吗 ?

Is he more handsome than me?

Expressing "compared with" using "gen" 跟 + Noun 1 + 比 (起来) ,Noun 2⋯⋯ 跟 上海 ,北京 的 冬天 比较 干 。

Beijing's winter is dryer compared to Shanghai.

Expressing "even more" with "geng" or "hai" Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + 更 / 还 + Adj. 他 比 姚明 高 。

He is taller than Yaoming.

Expressing "much more" in comparisons Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + Adj. + 多了 拼音 比 汉字 容易 多了 。

Pinyin is easier than Chinese characters.

Complex Sentence Patterns

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "except" and "in addition" with "chule… yiwai" 除了 ⋯⋯ (+ 以外) ,Subj. + 都 / 也 / 还 ⋯⋯ 除了 他 ,我们 去 过 。

We all went there except for him.

Expressing "if... then..." with "ruguo... jiu..." 如果 ⋯⋯ ,就 ⋯⋯ 如果 有 困难 ,就 给 我 打 电话 。

If you have any difficulties, call me.

Expressing "if" with "ruguo... dehua" 如果⋯⋯ (的话) ,(就) ⋯⋯ 如果 明天 下雨 的话 ,我们 就 不 去 了 。

We won't be going if it rains tomorrow.

Expressing "not only... but also" with "budan... erqie..." 不但⋯⋯,而且⋯⋯ 他 不但 聪明,而且 勤劳。

He is not only smart, but also hardworking.

Comparisons of Similar Grammar Points

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What's the difference between this grammar point and that grammar point? Check here.

Adverbs

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Comparing "cai" and "jiu" 才 vs 就 我 花 了 两 天 才修 好 ,你 一下子 就 弄 坏 了。

It took me 2 days to fix it and you just broke it immediately.

Comparing "gang" and "gangcai" 刚 vs. 刚才 你 刚才 去 哪儿 了?我 刚 回来 。

Where did you just go? I just returned.

Comparing "youdian" and "yidian" 有点 vs. 一点 这 衣服 有点 贵 ,便宜 一点 吧。

This cloth is so expensive, a cheaper one will do.

Comparing "zai" and "you" 再 vs 又 我不能再喝了,你走后我又喝了两瓶 。

I can't drink some more, but I drank another 2 more after you left.

Conjunctions

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Comparing "haishi" and "huozhe" 还是 vs. 或者 我们 明天 见 还是 后天 见 ?明天 或者 后天 都 可以 。

When should we meet, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? Both will do.

Time Words

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Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Comparing "yihou" "ranhou" "houlai" 以后 vs. 然后 vs. 后来 我 以后 想 开 公司 。/ 后来 他 去 了 美国 ,然后 他 的 父母 也 搬 过去 了 。

I want to start a company in the future. / Later he went to the USA, then his parents also moved over there.