FluentideChineseRadio

Chinese Grammar Patterns

68 grammar patterns from our podcast episodes. Each pattern includes explanations, example sentences in context, and links to episodes where the pattern is used.

A + 是 + BStandard definition pattern, equating A with B (A is B). Use...

A + 比 + B + AdjectiveUsed to compare two things. It means 'A is more [adjective] ...

easybeginner2 ex.

A + 比 + B + Adjective/Verb + ...Comparison structure indicating A is more [adj] than B.

Place + 有 + ObjectExpressing existence of an object or quality in a specific p...

mediumbeginner6 ex.

Subject + Verb + ObjectStandard sentence structure in Chinese.

Subject + 不 + VerbSimple negation of a verb.

Subject + 为了 + Purpose + ActionIndicates doing an action 'in order to' achieve a purpose.

Subject + 会 + VerbExpresses ability or possibility (can/will do something).

Subject + 像 + ObjectSimile pattern meaning 'A is like B'.

Subject + 像 + Object + 一样Comparison pattern meaning 'Subject is like Object'.

Subject + 刚刚 + VerbIndicates that an action has happened very recently (just no...

Subject + 变 + Adjective + 了Indicates a change of state. 'To become' + adjective.

Subject + 在 + Place + VerbExpressing an action happening at a specific location.

Subject + 在 + VerbPresent continuous tense, indicating an action is happening ...

beginnereasy2 ex.

Subject + 很 + AdjectiveSimple description. '很' (hěn) is often used to link a noun a...

beginnerbeginner8 ex.

Subject + 想 + VerbExpressing a desire or intention (want to do something).

Subject + 打算 + VerbExpresses an intention or plan to do something.

Subject + 把 + Object + VerbThe 'Ba' construction. It emphasizes what happens to the obj...

Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + ComplementUsed to emphasize the disposal or manipulation of an object ...

mediumeasy3 ex.

Subject + 是 + NounStandard sentence structure to equate two things (A is B).

beginnerbeginner5 ex.

Subject + 没有 + ObjectExpressing non-possession or non-existence, 'Subject does no...

Subject + 能 + VerbExpressing ability (Can / Be able to).

Subject + 被 + Agent + Verb + ComplementPassive voice marker indicating the subject receives the act...

Subject + 要 + VerbExpressing necessity or future intention. 'Need to' or 'want...

Subject + 觉得 + Adjective / ClauseExpressing an opinion or feeling (Subject feels/thinks...).

X means YA pattern used in this script to define new terms in English...

不仅...更是...Not only... but more importantly... / but also... (Used to e...

不仅...而且/也...Not only... but also... (Progression)

不仅...还...Means 'not only... but also...'. Used to add information.

normalmedium3 ex.

与其... 不如... (Implied in script as 更愿意...而不是...)Expressing preference. 'Would rather A than B'. In the scrip...

与其……不如……Rather than... it is better to... (Used to compare two optio...

与其...不如...Rather than... it is better to... (Choice/Preference) - Note...

normalnormal3 ex.

为了 + PurposeIndicates the purpose or reason for an action, meaning 'in o...

为了...Indicating purpose, meaning 'in order to' or 'for'.

为了... (Subject) + VerbIndicates purpose, meaning 'in order to...' or 'for the sake...

之所以……是因为……The reason why... is because... (A structure to explain the ...

从 + A + 降到 + BExpresses a decrease in value or number from point A to poin...

从...到...From [Point A] to [Point B] (can be time or place).

以...为代价At the cost/expense of...

以前...现在...Contrasting the past with the present.

会 + VerbIndicates a future possibility or something that is likely t...

取而代之的是……What replaces it is... / Replaced by... (Used to introduce a...

只有 + Condition + 才 + ResultStructure meaning 'Only if [condition] then [result]'.

只有...才...Expresses a necessary condition. 'Only if [condition]... the...

哪怕……也……Even if... still... (Used to express a concession)

因为 ... 所以 ...Cause and effect pattern. 'Because ... therefore ...'. In sp...

如果 ... 就 ...Conditional sentence structure. 'If ... then ...'.

如果...就...Standard conditional construction: 'If..., then...'.

如果不...就...If not... then... (Conditional)

导致 + Negative ResultMeans 'to lead to' or 'to cause', usually followed by an und...

导致...Lead to / Cause (usually negative result)

导致... / 造成...Leading to / Causing / Resulting in (Usually followed by a n...

并不意味着...A common phrase used to correct a misconception, meaning 'th...

并不是...Used to emphatically negate a statement, meaning 'it is not ...

把 + Object + Verb + ResultThe 'Ba' structure is used to indicate how an action affects...

mediummedium3 ex.

既...也...Correlative conjunction meaning 'both... and...' or 'as well...

既...也/又...Expressing 'both... and...'. Used to list two qualities or a...

是...的Used to emphasize a detail (time, place, manner) of a past e...

比 + Object + AdjectiveComparison structure used to say one thing is 'more [adjecti...

甚至...Even... (Used to emphasize an extreme case).

虽然...但是...Although... but... (Conjunction pair used to express a conce...

mediumeasy5 ex.

被 + VerbPassive voice marker. Indicates the action is done to the su...

被批评为...To be criticized as... (Passive voice)

让 + Object + Adjective/VerbCausative verb meaning 'to make' or 'to let' someone/somethi...

越来越 + AdjectiveIndicates a change over time, meaning 'more and more'.

随着...Means 'along with', 'as', or 'in the wake of'. It introduces...

非...而是...Indicates 'not... but...'. It negates the first part and aff...

非但……反而……Not only not..., but on the contrary... (Used to indicate a ...