HSK Guide/HSK 3 Grammar
Parts of Speech[edit | edit source]
These following grammar points fit pretty neatly into one part of speech category.
Adjectives[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Adjectives with "-ji le" | Adj. + 极了 | 这个 主意 好 极了 。
This is a very good idea. |
| Reduplication of adjectives | Adj. + Adj. | 你 应该 慢慢 地 走。
You should walk slowly. |
| Turning adjectives into adverbs | Adj. + 地 + Verb | 你 要 认真 地 学习。
You should study seriously. |
Adverbs[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Expressing "again" in the past with "you" | 又 + Verb + 了 | 你 又 迟到 了 。
You are late again. |
| Expressing "all along" with "yizhi" | Subj. + 一直 + Predicate | 我 一直 在 现在 的 公司 工作。
I'm still working at my current company all along. |
| Expressing "always" with "zongshi" | 总是 + Verb | 他 总是 迟到。
He is always late. |
| Expressing duration of inaction | Duration + 没 + Verb + 了 | 他 已经 一 个 星期 没 洗澡 了 。
It's been 1 week and he still hasn't bathed yet. |
| Expressing "finally" with "zhongyu" | Subj. + 终于 + Predicate + 了 | 你 终于 到 了 。
You are finally here. |
| Expressing lateness with "cai" | Subj. + Time + 才 + Verb | 他 二十五 岁 才 上 大学 。
He only entered university at 25 years old. |
| Expressing "nearly" with "jihu" | Subj. + 几乎 + Verb | 他 的 头发 几乎 全 白 了 。
His hair is almost all white. |
| Expressing "only" with "zhi" | 只 + Verb | 我 只 有 一个 妹妹。
I only have a younger sister. |
| Sequencing with "xian" and "zai" | 先⋯⋯ ，再⋯⋯ | 先 洗 手 ，再 吃饭 。
Wash hands first before eating. |
| Simultaneous tasks with "yibian" | 一边 + Verb 1 (，) 一边 + Verb 2 | 不要 一边 说话 ，一边 吃 东西。
Don't talk while you're eating. |
| Using "always" as a complaint with "laoshi" | Subj. + 老 (是 ) + Verb | 你 怎么 老是 加班 ？
How are you always still working overtime? |
| Using "cai" for small numbers | 才 + Number + Measure Word + Noun | 这 个 班 才 两 个 学生 。
There are only 2 students in this class. |
Adverbs with Adjectives[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Adjectives with "name" and "zheme" | 那么 / 这么 + Adj. | 你 怎么 那么 忙 ？
Why are you always this busy? |
| Basic comparisons with "yiyang" | Noun 1 + 跟 / 和 + Noun 2 + 一样 + Adj. | 你 跟 他 一样 高 。
You are as tall as him. |
| Expressing "both A and B" with "you" | 又⋯⋯ 又⋯⋯ | 他 又 高 又 帅。
He is both tall and handsome. |
| Expressing "rather" with "bijiao" | Subj. + 比较 + Adj. | 这个 问题 比较 简单 。
This question is more simpler. |
| Intensifying with "duo" | Subj. + 多 + Adj. | 多 好！外面 多 舒服！
So good! It's so comfortable outside! |
| Modifying nouns with adjective + "de" | Adj. + 的 + Noun | 好喝 的 啤酒 / 可爱 的 宝宝
Yummy beer / Cute baby |
Conjunctions[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Expressing "or" in statements | ⋯⋯或者⋯⋯ | 我 想 去 青岛 或者 南京。
I want to go to Qingdao or Nanking. |
| Expressing "then…" with "name" | 那么⋯⋯ | 他 不 听 ，那 我 应该 怎么办 ？
He doesn't listen, so what should I do? |
| Expressing "with" with "gen" | 跟⋯⋯ + Verb | 你 要 跟 我 一起 去 吗？
Do you want to go with me? |
| Offering choices with "haishi" | A + 还是 + B ? | 你 要 喝 茶 还是 咖啡 ?
Do you want to drink tea or coffee? |
Nouns[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Before a specific time with "yiqian" | Time / Verb + 以前 | 十 点 以前，我 在 家。
I'm at home before 10. |
| Expressing "before" in general with "yiqian" | 以前，⋯⋯ | 以前，我 不 会 说 中文。
I didn't know how to speak Chinese in the past. |
| Expressing "just now" with "gangcai" | 刚才 + Verb | 你 刚才 说 什么 了？
What did you just say? |
| Expressing "when" with "shi" | Time + 时 | 考试 时 不要 说话 。
Don't talk during the exam. |
| In the future in general with "yihou" | 以后，⋯⋯ | 以后，你 不要 问 我。
Don't ask me next time. |
| Sequencing past events with "houlai" | ⋯⋯ ，后来 ⋯⋯ | 开始 他 不 同意， 但 后来 同意了。
At first he didn't agree, but later he agreed. |
Numbers[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Approximating with sequential numbers | Number 1 + Number 2 | 三 四个 人。一 两 天。
3 or 4 people. 1 or 2 days. |
| Big numbers in Chinese | Number + 万 / 亿 | 五 万
50, 000 |
| Structure of times (advanced) | Number 1 + 点(钟) + Number 2 + 分 | 现在 十一点十八分 。
It's now 11:18. |
| Structure of times (basic) | Number + 点(钟) | 现在 十一点 。
It's now 11 o' clock. |
Particles[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Aspect particle "zhe" | Verb + 着 | 我 读 ，你 听 着 。
I read, you listen. |
| Change of state with "le" | ⋯⋯了 | 我 25 岁 了。
I'm 25 years old already. |
| Questions with "ne" | ⋯⋯呢 ? | 我 很 好。你 呢 ?
I'm fine. And you? |
| Structural particle "de" | 的 / 得 / 地 | 红色的车，跑得很快，慢慢地走
A red car, runs very fast, walks slowly |
Prepositions[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Expressing "about" with "guanyu" | 关于 + Obj. ，⋯⋯ | 关于 中国 历史 ，我 知道 的 不 多 。
I don't know much about Chinese history. |
| Expressing "all the way until" with "zhidao" | 直到 + Time / Event ，Subj. + 才 ⋯⋯ | 直到 十二 点 半 ，我 才 做 完 作业 。
I only completed my homework until 12:30. |
| Expressing "towards" with "xiang" | 向 + Direction / Person + Verb | 你 必须 向 他 道歉！
You must apologize to him! |
Verbs[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance with "kanqilai" | 看起来⋯⋯ | 这 家 餐厅 看起来 不错 。
This restaurant looks good. |
| Basic comparisons with "meiyou" | Noun 1 + 没(有) + Noun 2 + Adj. | 你 没有 我 胖 。
You aren't as fat as me. |
| Causative verbs | Subj. + 让 / 叫 / 请 / 使 + Person + Predicate | 你 为什么 不 让 我 去 ？
Why won't you let me go? |
| Expressing "through" with "jingguo" | 经过 + Event / Time ，⋯⋯ | 经过 自己 的 努力 ，她 考上 了 北京 大学 。
She got into Beijing University thanks to her own efforts. |
Auxiliary verbs[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Expressing "should" with "yinggai" | 应该 / 该 + Verb | 你 应该 工作。
You should work. |
Verb phrases[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Expressing "difficult" with "nan" | 难 + Verb | 难 做。难 买。
Tough to do. Hard to buy. |
| Expressing duration with "le" | Verb + 了 + Duration | 他 在 北京 住 了 两 年。
He lived in Beijing for 2 years. |
| Expressing ongoing duration with double "le" | Verb + 了 + Duration + 了 | 他 在 北京 住 了 两 年 了。
It's been 2 years that he lives in Beijing. |
| Inability with "mei banfa" | 没办法 + Verb | 我 没 办法 帮 你。
I can't help you. |
| Reduplication of verbs | Verb + Verb | 你 看看。
You look at this. |
| Special verbs with "hen" | 很 + Verb | 我 很 喜欢 他。
I like him very much. |
Grammatical Structures[edit | edit source]
These are grammatical structures that do not correspond to one particular part of speech.
Complements[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Direction complement | Verb (+ Direction) + 来 / 去 | 我们 走 过去 吧 。
Let's walk over there. |
| Potential complement | Verb + 得 / 不 + Complement | 做 得 完 / 做 不 完
Can finish / cannot finish |
| Result complements | Verb + 好 / 完 / 错 | 我们 吃 好 了 。
We're finished eating. |
| Result complement "-xiaqu" | Verb + 下去 | 这个 故事 太 无聊 了 ，我 听 不 下去 了 。
This story is too boring, I can't keep on listening to it. |
Conditional Statements[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Expressing "as long as" with "zhiyao" | 只要⋯⋯，就⋯⋯ | 只要 你 过来 ， 我们 就 很 开心 。
We will be happy as long as you come over here. |
| Expressing "only after" with "cai" | ⋯⋯，才⋯⋯ | 那 本 书 我 看 了 两 遍 才 看 懂。
I only read that book 2 times to understand it. |
| Expressing "only if" with "zhiyou" | 只有⋯⋯，才⋯⋯ | 只有 你 帮忙 ， 我 才 能 完成 任务 。
I can only finish the task if you help. |
Noun Phrases[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Using "youde" to mean "some" | 有的 + Noun | 派对的时候，有的人在喝酒，有的人在跳舞，还有的人在聊天。
During parties, some people are drinking booze, some people are dancing, and even some people are chatting. |
Numbers and Measure Words[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Expressing "half" with "ban" | Number + Measure Word + 半 + Noun | 三 个 半 小时
3 and a half hour |
Sentence Patterns[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Expressing "not even one" | 一 + Measure Word + (Noun) + 也 / 都 + 不 / 没 + Verb | 一 句 中文 都 不 会 说 。
Can't even speak 1 Chinese sentence. |
| Expressing "the more... the more..." with "yue… yue…" | Subj.＋越＋Verb＋越 + Adj. / Verb | 她 越 想 越 生气 。
The more she thought about it, the more she got angry. |
| Using "ba" sentences | Subj. + 把 + Obj.+ Verb Phrase | 我 把 书 看 完 了。
I finished reading the book. |
| Using "bei" sentences | Subj. + 被 + Doer + Verb Phrase | 我 被 他 骗 了 。
I got cheated by him. |
Basic/Simple Sentence Patterns[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative existential sentences | Place + Verb + 着 + Noun Phrase | 桌子 上 放 着 一 本 书 。
There is a book placed on the table. |
| Expressing "as one likes" with "jiu" | 想 + Question Word + 就 + Question Word | 想 去 哪儿 就 去 哪儿 。
Go wherever you want to go. |
| Expressing "every" with question words | Question Word + 都 + Predicate | 谁 都 可以 进 。
Anyone can enter, |
| Expressing "more and more" with "yuelaiyue" | Subj. + 越来越 + Adj. + 了 | 天气 越来越 冷 了。
The weather is getting cold. |
| Expressing purpose with "weile" | 为了 + Purpose + Verb | 为了 钱 ，他 什么 都 愿意 做 。
He is willing to do anything for money. |
| Expressing "some" with question words | 在哪儿 / 谁 / 什么 / 什么时候 | 这个 人 我 在 哪儿 见 过 。
I think I so this person somewhere. |
Comparison Patterns[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Expressing comparable degree with "you" | Noun 1 有 Noun 2 + Adj. + 吗？ | 他 有 我 帅 吗 ？
Is he more handsome than me? |
| Expressing "compared with" using "gen" | 跟 + Noun 1 + 比 (起来) ，Noun 2⋯⋯ | 跟 上海 比 ，北京 的 冬天 比较 干 。
Beijing's winter is dryer compared to Shanghai. |
| Expressing "even more" with "geng" or "hai" | Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + 更 / 还 + Adj. | 他 比 姚明 还 高 。
He is taller than Yaoming. |
| Expressing "much more" in comparisons | Noun 1 + 比 + Noun 2 + Adj. + 多了 | 拼音 比 汉字 容易 多了 。
Pinyin is easier than Chinese characters. |
Complex Sentence Patterns[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Expressing "except" and "in addition" with "chule… yiwai" | 除了 ⋯⋯ (+ 以外) ，Subj. + 都 / 也 / 还 ⋯⋯ | 除了 他 ，我们 都 去 过 。
We all went there except for him. |
| Expressing "if... then..." with "ruguo... jiu..." | 如果 ⋯⋯ ，就 ⋯⋯ | 如果 有 困难 ，就 给 我 打 电话 。
If you have any difficulties, call me. |
| Expressing "if" with "ruguo... dehua" | 如果⋯⋯ (的话) ，(就) ⋯⋯ | 如果 明天 下雨 的话 ，我们 就 不 去 了 。
We won't be going if it rains tomorrow. |
| Expressing "not only... but also" with "budan... erqie..." | 不但⋯⋯，而且⋯⋯ | 他 不但 聪明，而且 勤劳。
He is not only smart, but also hardworking. |
Comparisons of Similar Grammar Points[edit | edit source]
What's the difference between this grammar point and that grammar point? Check here.
Adverbs[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing "cai" and "jiu" | 才 vs 就 | 我 花 了 两 天 才修 好 ，你 一下子 就 弄 坏 了。
It took me 2 days to fix it and you just broke it immediately. |
| Comparing "gang" and "gangcai" | 刚 vs. 刚才 | 你 刚才 去 哪儿 了？我 刚 回来 。
Where did you just go? I just returned. |
| Comparing "youdian" and "yidian" | 有点 vs. 一点 | 这 衣服 有点 贵 ，便宜 一点 吧。
This cloth is so expensive, a cheaper one will do. |
| Comparing "zai" and "you" | 再 vs 又 | 我不能再喝了，你走后我又喝了两瓶 。
I can't drink some more, but I drank another 2 more after you left. |
Conjunctions[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing "haishi" and "huozhe" | 还是 vs. 或者 | 我们 明天 见 还是 后天 见 ？明天 或者 后天 都 可以 。
When should we meet, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? Both will do. |
Time Words[edit | edit source]
| Grammar Point (English) | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing "yihou" "ranhou" "houlai" | 以后 vs. 然后 vs. 后来 | 我 以后 想 开 公司 。/ 后来 他 去 了 美国 ，然后 他 的 父母 也 搬 过去 了 。
I want to start a company in the future. / Later he went to the USA, then his parents also moved over there. |