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 |
|
Indicating location with "zai" before verbs |
Subj. + 在 + Place + Verb |
Directional verbs "lai" and "qu" |
來 / 去 + Place |
After a specific time with "yihou" |
Time / Verb + 以後 |
In the future in general with "yihou" |
以後，⋯⋯ |
Reduplication of verbs |
Verb + Verb |
Expressing "and also" with "hai" |
還 + Verb |
Expressing "when" with "de shihou" |
⋯⋯的時候 |
Adjectives with "name" and "zheme" |
那麼 / 這麼 + Adj. |
Expressing "together" with "yiqi" |
一起 + Verb |
Two words for "but" |
……，可是 / 但是…… |
Emphasizing quantity with "dou" |
大家 / 很多人 + 都⋯⋯ |
Expressing "some" with "yixie" |
一些 + Noun |
Expressing "will" with "hui" |
會 + Verb |
Modifying nouns with adjective + "de" |
Adj. + 的 + Noun |
Expressing "every" with "mei" |
每 + Measure Word (+ Noun) |
Expressing "again" in the past with "you" |
又 + Verb + 了 |
Expressing "if… then…" with "yaoshi" |
要是⋯⋯，就⋯⋯ |
Chapter 2 |
|
Expressing "would like to" with "xiang" |
想 + Verb |
Asking why with "zenme" |
怎麼⋯⋯？ |
Simultaneous tasks with "yibian" |
一邊 + Verb 1 (，) 一邊 + Verb 2 |
Asking how something is with "zenmeyang" |
⋯⋯怎麼樣？ |
Auxiliary verb "yao" and its multiple meanings |
要 + Noun / 要 + Verb |
Structural particle "de" |
的 / 得 / 地 |
Expressing completion with "le" |
Subj. + Verb + 了 + Obj. |
Time words and word order |
Subj. + Time⋯⋯ / Time + Subj.⋯⋯ |
Change of state with "le" |
⋯⋯了 |
Special verbs with "hen" |
很 + Verb |
Ordinal numbers with "di" |
第 + Number (+ Measure Word) |
Expressing location with "zai... shang / xia / li" |
在 + Place + 上 / 下 / 裡 / 旁邊 |
Result complement "-wan" for finishing |
Verb + 完 (+ 了) |
Measure words with "this" and "that" |
這 / 那 + Measure Word (+ Noun) |
Expressing "again" in the future with "zai" |
再 + Verb |
Chapter 3 |
|
Structure of times (advanced) |
Number 1 + 點(鍾) + Number 2 + 分 |
Direction complement "-qilai" |
Verb / Adj.+ 起來 |
Expressing "a little too" with "you yidian" |
有一點(兒) + Adj. |
Result complements "-dao" and "-jian" |
Verb + 到 / 見 |
Moderating positive adjectives with "hai" |
還 + Adj. |
Using "youde" to mean "some" |
有的 + Noun |
Expressing "had better" with "haishi" |
還是 + Verb |
The "shi... de" construction for indicating purpose |
是⋯⋯ 的 |
Expressing "one by one" with "yi" |
一 + Measure Word + 一 + Measure Word |
Expressing experiences with "guo" |
Verb + 過 |
Chapter 4 |
|
Causative verbs |
Subj. + 讓 / 叫 / 請 / 使 + Person + Predicate |
Indicating a number in excess |
Number + 多 |
Direction complement |
Verb (+ Direction) + 來 / 去 |
Chapter 5 |
|
Expressing "already" with "dou" |
都 + Time + 了 |
Chapter 6 |
|
Comparing "youdian" and "yidian" |
有點 vs. 一點 |
Conceding with "ba" |
⋯⋯吧 |
Chapter 8 |
|
Expressing "all at once" with "yixiazi" |
Subj. + 一下子 + Verb + 了 |
Chapter 9 |
|
Expressing "to come from" with "laizi" |
Subj. + 來自 + Place |
Expressing "a little too" with "you dian" |
有點(兒) + Adj. |
Chapter 10 |
|
Basic comparisons with "yiyang" |
Noun 1 + 跟 / 和 + Noun 2 + 一樣 + Adj. |
In the future in general with "yihou" |
以後，⋯⋯ |