Grammar

Grammar Chinese Learning Guides

This grammar hub collects 16 focused Mandarin Chinese guides for learners who want more than a word list. Each article explains a practical learning problem, shows how the pattern appears in real conversation, and links to an interactive practice page where you can turn reading into speaking, listening, vocabulary, or grammar work.

Use the page as a study path rather than a random archive. Start with the guide that matches your current blocker, practice the example sentences out loud, then open the related AI Chinese Coach activity to test the same language in a short scenario. The complete set takes about 103 minutes to read, but it is more useful when split into small daily practice sessions.

How to study this grammar path

Step 1: Read one grammar guide and copy three sentences that feel useful for your level.
Step 2: Say the sentences out loud, then change one noun, verb, place, or time expression to make the pattern personal.
Step 3: Open the related practice page and use the same pattern in a short AI conversation.
Step 4: Save corrected words and review them later so the guide becomes active vocabulary, not passive reading.

6 min read

Chinese Measure Words Explained With Simple Examples

Understand Chinese measure words like 个, 本, 张, 杯, 碗, and 件 with practical examples for shopping, food, travel, and daily speech.

6 min read

Chinese Word Order Guide for Natural Mandarin Sentences

Learn Chinese word order for time, place, questions, comparisons, and common sentence patterns with clear Mandarin examples.

7 min read

Chinese Idioms & Proverbs — Master 成语 and 谚语 for Natural, Fluent Mandarin

Learn the most useful Chinese idioms (成语) and proverbs (谚语/俗语): how four-character idioms like 画蛇添足, 守株待兔, and 入乡随俗 work, common everyday sayings like 熟能生巧 and 说曹操曹操到, the classical stories behind them, and how to use idioms naturally in conversation without sounding unnatural. Includes pinyin, literal and figurative meanings, and HSK-relevant usage examples.

7 min read

How to Write Chinese Characters — Radicals, Stroke Order, and Simplified vs Traditional

Learn the building blocks of 汉字 (hàn zì): common radicals (部首), basic strokes and stroke order (笔顺), simplified vs traditional characters, and practical ways to recognize and remember characters with pinyin and example words.

6 min read

Chinese Question Words & How to Ask Questions — 谁, 什么, 怎么, and More

Learn how to ask questions in Chinese: question words like 谁 (who), 什么 (what), 哪儿 (where), and 怎么 (how), plus question types such as yes/no with 吗, choice questions with 还是, tag questions with 呢, and softening particles 吧 and 啊.

6 min read

Chinese Comparisons & Superlatives — 比, 更, 最, 一样, 不如

Learn how to compare in Chinese: 比 (than), 更 (even more), 最 (most), 一样 (the same), 不如 (not as good as), 越来越 (more and more), and degree complements 得多 and 极了.

6 min read

Chinese Modal Verbs — 能, 会, 可以, 要, 应该, 得

Master the Chinese modal verbs 能 (can), 会 (know how to / will), 可以 (may), 要 (want / will), 应该 (should), and 得 (must), with usage rules, contrasts, and examples.

6 min read

Chinese Result Complements — 完, 到, 好, 懂, 见, 住, 会, 开

Master Chinese result complements (结果补语) such as 完, 到, 好, 懂, 见, 住, 会, and 开, with negation, 把 patterns, and compound directional complements.

6 min read

Chinese Aspect Markers — 了, 着, 过

Master Chinese aspect markers 了 (completion/change), 着 (ongoing state), and 过 (past experience), with negation, 了 vs 过, and common mistakes.

6 min read

Chinese Passive Voice — 被, 让, 叫, 给

Master the Chinese passive voice with 被, 让, 叫, and 给, including omitted agents, negation, 被 vs 把, and unmarked passives.

7 min read

Chinese 把 Sentences — 把字句 (Disposal Construction)

Master the Chinese 把 construction to express what you did to an object: 我把门打开了. Learn structure, usage conditions, result/directional complements, 在/到/给, negation, and common mistakes.

6 min read

Chinese 是…的 Sentences — Emphasizing the Details (是…的)

Master the Chinese 是…的 construction to emphasize when, where, how, or who did an action: 我是昨天来的. Learn structure, contrast with plain sentences, negation, questions, and common mistakes.

7 min read

Chinese Conjunctions — Linking Ideas in Complex Sentences (关联词)

Learn the Chinese conjunctions that link clauses: 因为…所以…, 虽然…但是…, 如果…就…, 不但…而且…. Master coordination, cause and effect, contrast, conditionals, and choice with clear patterns.

7 min read

Chinese High-Frequency Adverbs — 就, 才, 都, 也, 还

Master the most common Chinese adverbs 就 (jiù), 才 (cái), 都 (dōu), 也 (yě) and 还 (hái). Learn their meanings, the 就 vs 才 time contrast, and avoid the most common mistakes.

7 min read

Chinese Separable Verbs — 离合词 (见面, 帮忙, 睡觉)

Master Chinese separable verbs (离合词) like 见面, 帮忙, 睡觉 and 吃饭. Learn how to split verb-object compounds with 了/过, measure words, and 的, and avoid the most common mistakes.

7 min read

Chinese Potential Complements — 可能补语 (听得懂, 听不懂, 买得到)

Master Chinese potential complements (可能补语) with 得/不. Learn to say 听得懂, 听不懂, 看得见, 买得到, and tell them apart from result complements and 能/可以.

Common questions about this category

How should I use the Grammar guide category?

Choose one guide, practice the example language, and then use the linked practice page to test the same grammar skill in context. Short repeated sessions work better than reading every article once.

Are these grammar guides for beginners?

Most guides are written for beginner to intermediate learners. If a page feels difficult, start with the examples and related HSK or speaking practice links before reading every explanation.

Why combine guides with AI conversation practice?

Guides explain the pattern, while conversation practice shows whether you can recall it under pressure. Corrections help turn the article into a personalized review loop.