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 |
|
The "all" adverb "dou" |
都 + Verb / Adj. |
Ordinal numbers with "di" |
第 + Number (+ Measure Word) |
Expressing "together" with "yiqi" |
一起 + Verb |
Expressing "and" with "he" |
Noun 1 + 和 + Noun 2 |
Expressing "not at all" with "yidianr ye bu" |
Subj. + 一點 + 也 / 都 + 不 + Adj. |
Expressing "from… to…" with "cong… dao…" |
從⋯⋯到⋯⋯ |
Expressing "with" with "gen" |
跟⋯⋯ + Verb |
The "also" adverb "ye" |
也 + Verb / Adj. |
Expressing "excessively" with "tai" |
太 + Adj. + 了 |
Expressing "when" with "de shihou" |
⋯⋯的時候 |
Affirmative-negative question |
Verb + 不 + Verb / Adj. + 不 + Adj. |
Expressing "will" with "hui" |
會 + Verb |
Expressing experiences with "guo" |
Verb + 過 |
Reduplication of verbs |
Verb + Verb |
How to do something with "zenme" |
怎麼 + Verb ? |
Chapter 2 |
|
Change of state with "le" |
⋯⋯了 |
Expressing "all at once" with "yixiazi" |
Subj. + 一下子 + Verb + 了 |
Expressing existence in a place with "zai" |
在 + Place |
Expressing actions in progress with "zai" |
(正)在 + Verb |
Expressing "then…" with "name" |
那麼⋯⋯ |
Asking how something is with "zenmeyang" |
⋯⋯怎麼樣？ |
The "shi... de" construction for emphasizing details |
是⋯⋯ 的 |
Expressing ability or possibility with "neng" |
能 + Verb |
Expressing "be going to" with "yao" |
Subj. + 要 + Verb (+ 了) |
Emphasizing negation with "you" |
又 + 不 / 沒 + Verb |
Chapter 3 |
|
Using the verb "qu" |
去 + Place |
Comparing "er" and "liang" |
二 vs 兩 |
A softer "but" with "buguo" |
⋯⋯ ，不過 ⋯⋯ |
Verbing briefly with "yixia" |
Verb + 一下 |
Expressing "already" with "dou" |
都 + Time + 了 |
Wanting to do something with "yao" |
要 + Verb |
Tag questions with "bu" |
⋯⋯是不是 / 對不對 / 好不好 ? |
Chapter 4 |
|
Expressing permission with "keyi" |
可以 + Verb |
Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia / li" |
在 + Place + 上 / 下 / 裡 / 旁邊 |
Expressing "everything" with "shenme dou" |
什麼 + 都 / 也⋯⋯ |
Expressing "had better" with "haishi" |
還是 + Verb |
Chapter 5 |
|
Modifying nouns with adjective + "de" |
Adj. + 的 + Noun |
Direction complement |
Verb (+ Direction) + 來 / 去 |
Asking why with "zenme" |
怎麼⋯⋯？ |
Expressing "if… then…" with "yaoshi" |
要是⋯⋯，就⋯⋯ |
Expressing "then…" with "name" |
那麼⋯⋯ |
Suggestions with "ba" |
Command + 吧 |
Chapter 6 |
|
Continuation with "hai" |
Subj. + 還 + Verb Phrase / Adj. |
Expressing "a little too" with “you yidian" |
有一點 + Adj. |
Expressing "again" in the past with "you" |
又 + Verb + 了 |
Expressing "again" in the future with "zai" |
再 + Verb |
Chapter 9 |
|
Using the verb "jiao" |
叫 + Name |
Direction complement "-qilai" |
Verb / Adj.+ 起來 |
Doing something more with "duo" |
多 + Verb |
Chapter 12 |
|
Questions with "ne" |
⋯⋯呢 ? |