Mandarin Companion
Mandarin Companion
Appendix B: Grammar Point Index
For learners new to reading Chinese, an understanding of grammar points can be extremely helpful for learners and teachers. The following is a list of the most challenging grammar points used in this graded reader.
These grammar points correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level A2 or above. The full list with explanations and examples of each grammar point can be found on the Chinese Grammar Wiki , the definitive source of information on Chinese grammar online.
Chapter 1 |
|
Tag questions with "ma" |
⋯⋯是嗎 / 對嗎 / 好嗎 ? |
The "shi... de" construction for indicating purpose |
是⋯⋯ 的 |
Expressing "will" with "hui" |
會 + Verb |
Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia / li" |
在 + Place + 上 / 下 / 裡 / 旁邊 |
Expressing "excessively" with "tai" |
太 + Adj. + 了 |
Expressing "then…" with "name" |
那麼⋯⋯ |
Expressing "be going to" with "yao" |
Subj. + 要 + Verb (+ 了) |
Expressing experiences with "guo" |
Verb + 過 |
Verbing briefly with "yixia" |
Verb + 一下 |
Reduplication of verbs |
Verb + Verb |
Expressing ability or possibility with "neng" |
能 + Verb |
Verbs preceded by "gei" |
Subj. + 給 + Target + Verb + Obj. |
Reduplication of measure words |
MW + MW |
Expressing "every" with "mei" |
每 + Measure Word (+ Noun) |
Chapter 2 |
|
Expressing "would like to" with "xiang" |
想 + Verb |
Asking why with "zenme" |
怎麼⋯⋯？ |
Ordinal numbers with "di" |
第 + Number (+ Measure Word) |
Placement of question words |
什麼 / 什麼時候 / 誰 / 哪兒 / 為什麼 / 怎麼 |
Expressing "originally" with "benlai" |
本來⋯⋯ |
Expressing "if… then…" with "yaoshi" |
要是⋯⋯，就⋯⋯ |
The "also" adverb "ye" |
也 + Verb / Adj. |
Continuation with "hai" |
Subj. + 還 + Verb Phrase / Adj. |
Expressing "with" with "gen" |
跟⋯⋯ + Verb |
Chapter 3 |
|
Using "de" (modal particle) |
⋯⋯的 |
Expressing permission with "keyi" |
可以 + Verb |
Expressing "mistakenly think that" with "yiwei" |
Subj. + 以為⋯⋯ |
Expressing "everything" with "shenme dou" |
什麼 + 都 / 也⋯⋯ |
Using "ji" to mean "several" |
幾 + Measure Word + Noun |
Expressing "again" in the future with "zai" |
再 + Verb |
Expressing "when" with "de shihou" |
⋯⋯的時候 |
Chapter 4 |
|
Expressing "only" with "zhi" |
只 + Verb |
Chapter 5 |
|
Expressing "together" with "yiqi" |
一起 + Verb |
After a specific time with "yihou" |
Time / Verb + 以後 |
Two words for "but" |
……，可是 / 但是…… |
Indicating a number in excess |
Number + 多 |
Expressing "all at once" with "yixiazi" |
Subj. + 一下子 + Verb + 了 |
Chapter 6 |
|
Asking why with "zenme" |
怎麼⋯⋯？ |
Using "dui" with verbs |
Subj. + 對 + Person + Verb |
Chapter 7 |
|
Expressing "again" in the past with "you" |
又 + Verb + 了 |
Appearance with "kanqilai" |
看起來⋯⋯ |
Chapter 9 |
|
Approximating with sequential numbers |
Number 1 + Number 2 |
Chapter 10 |
|
Direction complement "-qilai" |
Verb / Adj.+ 起來 |
Conceding with "ba" |
⋯⋯吧 |
Chapter 13 |
|
Expressing "not very" with "bu tai" |
不太 + Adj. |