他越说越高兴。 Tā yuè shuō yuè gāoxìng. The more he talked, the happier he became.
又 A 又 B
又……又……: both…and…
又 A 又 B means "both A and B": two qualities or actions together. 这个苹果又大又甜. 又 comes before each adjective or verb; both qualities usually point "in the same direction".
Subject + 又 + adjective + 又 + adjective — has both qualities
Subject + 又 + verb + 又 + verb — does both things
这个苹果又大又甜。 Zhè ge píngguǒ yòu dà yòu tián. This apple is both big and sweet.
我又累又饿。 Wǒ yòu lèi yòu è. I am both tired and hungry.
她又聪明又漂亮。 Tā yòu cōngming yòu piàoliang. She is both smart and beautiful.
一边 V₁，一边 V₂
一边……一边……: doing two things at once
Subject + 一边 + action 1 + 一边 + action 2 means "doing one thing while doing another": 他一边吃饭一边看电视. Repeat 一边 before each verb; the same person performs both actions.
Subject + 一边 + verb 1 + 一边 + verb 2 — does one thing while doing another
别 + 一边 + verb 1 + 一边 + verb 2 — do not do two things at the same time
他一边吃饭一边看电视。 Tā yìbiān chī fàn yìbiān kàn diànshì. He eats while watching TV.
我们一边走一边说话。 Wǒmen yìbiān zǒu yìbiān shuōhuà. We walked and talked.
先 A，然后 B / 先 A，再 B means "first A, then B". 先 and 再 go before verbs; 然后 goes at the start of the second clause. 再 refers to something that has yet to happen.
Subject + 先 + A ， 然后 + B — first…, then… (past and future)
Subject + 先 + A ， 再 + B — first…, and only then… (future, advice)
先 + A ， 然后 + 再 + B — can also be used together
我们先吃饭，然后去看电影。 Wǒmen xiān chī fàn, ránhòu qù kàn diànyǐng. Let's eat first, then go to the movies.
你先洗手，再吃饭。 Nǐ xiān xǐ shǒu, zài chī fàn. Wash your hands first, then eat.
他先去了银行，然后去了超市。 Tā xiān qù le yínháng, ránhòu qù le chāoshì. He went to the bank first, then to the supermarket.
又 + V + 了 / 再 + V
又 and 再: "again" in the past and future
Both mean "again", but 又 marks a repetition that has already happened (他又来了 — he came again), while 再 marks a future or requested repetition (明天再来 — come again tomorrow).
Subject + 又 + verb + 了 — did it again (already happened)
Subject + 再 + verb — will do it again; do it again
Subject + 一 + verb + 就 + result — every time…, immediately…
我一到家就给你打电话。 Wǒ yí dào jiā jiù gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà. I'll call you as soon as I get home.
他一回家就睡觉了。 Tā yì huí jiā jiù shuìjiào le. He went to bed as soon as he got home.
我一看就明白了。 Wǒ yí kàn jiù míngbai le. I took one look and understood right away.
time + 就 + V + 了 / time + 才 + V
就 and 才: "already" (early) and "not until" (late)
就 means earlier or faster than expected: 他七点就来了 ("as early as seven"). 才 means later or with more difficulty than expected: 他十点才来 ("not until ten"). 就 is usually followed by 了; 才 is not.
Subject + time + 才 + verb — not until (late, taking a long time, with difficulty)
才 + number — only (a small amount)
他七点就来了。 Tā qī diǎn jiù lái le. He arrived as early as seven.
他十点才来。 Tā shí diǎn cái lái. He didn't arrive until ten.
电影八点开始，他七点半就到了。 Diànyǐng bā diǎn kāishǐ, tā qī diǎn bàn jiù dào le. The film started at eight, but he was already there at half past seven.
刚 + V / 刚才
刚 and 刚才: just now
刚 means "just, recently", an adverb before the verb: 我刚到家. 刚才 means "just now, a few minutes ago", a time word: 刚才他来了. With negation and 的, use only 刚才.
Subject + 刚 + verb — just / recently did something
刚才 + subject + verb + 了 (or subject + 刚才 + …) — just now, a minute ago
刚才 + 的 + noun — the one from just now
Subject + 刚 + verb + 的时候 — when someone had just…
我刚到家。 Wǒ gāng dào jiā. I've just got home.
他刚走，你快给他打电话吧。 Tā gāng zǒu, nǐ kuài gěi tā dǎ diànhuà ba. He's just left. Call him quickly.
饭刚做好，快来吃吧。 Fàn gāng zuò hǎo, kuài lái chī ba. The food is just ready. Come and eat!
还 + V / 还没有 + V
还: still, up to now
还 (hái) before a verb means "still, up to now": 他还在睡觉. 还没有 + verb (+ 呢) means "not yet": 我还没有吃饭呢. Do not use 了 after 还没有.
Subject + 还 + (在) + verb — still doing something
Subject + 还 + 没有 + verb + (呢) — has not done something yet
我还没有吃饭呢。 Wǒ hái méiyǒu chī fàn ne. I haven't eaten yet.
外面还在下雨吗？ Wàimiàn hái zài xiàyǔ ma? Is it still raining outside?
…… 以前 / …… 以后；以前 / 以后
以前 and 以后: "before", "after", "previously", "later"
Event + 以前 means "before", event + 以后 means "after": 吃饭以前, 下课以后. Without an event: 以前 means "previously, in the past", and 以后 means "later, in the future". Unlike English, 以前/以后 go AFTER the event.
Event / time + 以前，…… — before…; … ago
Event / time + 以后，…… — after…; in…
Subject + 以前 + verb — used to do (in the past)
以后 + subject + verb — in the future, from now on
吃饭以前要洗手。 Chī fàn yǐqián yào xǐ shǒu. You should wash your hands before eating.
下课以后我们去打球吧。 Xiàkè yǐhòu wǒmen qù dǎ qiú ba. Let's go and play ball after class.
还是 (outside questions) means "still, nevertheless": 我想了很久，还是不明白. With 吧, it gives advice: "had better": 我们还是坐出租车吧. It goes after the subject, before the verb.
…， subject + 还是 + verb — still, nevertheless
Subject + 还是 + verb + 吧 — had better…, let's… after all
Subject + 还是 + adjective — still just as (as before)
我想了很久，还是不明白。 Wǒ xiǎng le hěn jiǔ, háishi bù míngbai. I thought about it for a long time, but still didn't understand.
虽然很累，但是他还是去上班了。 Suīrán hěn lèi, dànshì tā háishi qù shàngbān le. Although he was very tired, he still went to work.
太晚了，我们还是坐出租车吧。 Tài wǎn le, wǒmen háishi zuò chūzūchē ba. It's late; we'd better take a taxi.
A 或者 B / A 还是 B？
或者 and 还是: two words for "or"
Chinese has two words for "or." 还是 is used in choice questions: 你喝茶还是喝咖啡？ 或者 is used in statements when either option works: 喝茶或者咖啡都可以. Questions with 还是 don't need the particle 吗.
A + 还是 + B？ — A or B? (choose one)
A + 或者 + B — A or B (either works)
我不知道 + A + 还是 + B — I don't know whether A or B (an embedded question)
你喝茶还是喝咖啡？ Nǐ hē chá háishi hē kāfēi? Would you like tea or coffee?
喝茶或者咖啡都可以。 Hē chá huòzhě kāfēi dōu kěyǐ. Tea or coffee — either is fine.
你是老师还是学生？ Nǐ shì lǎoshī háishi xuésheng? Are you a teacher or a student?
应该 + V / 不应该 + V
应该: "should, ought to" and "probably"
应该 + verb means "should, ought to" (advice, the right thing to do). 应该 can also mean "probably, presumably." Its negative form is 不应该: "should not."
Subject + 应该 + verb — sb should / ought to do sth
Subject + 不应该 + verb — should not (it isn't right)
Subject + 应该 + verb + 的 — should have (but didn't)
你应该多喝水。 Nǐ yīnggāi duō hē shuǐ. You should drink more water.
我们应该早一点儿走。 Wǒmen yīnggāi zǎo yìdiǎnr zǒu. We should leave a little earlier.
他生病了，应该在家休息。 Tā shēngbìng le, yīnggāi zài jiā xiūxi. He's ill; he should rest at home.
会 + V (……的)
会: will probably happen, may happen
会 before a verb can mean not "can," but "will, will probably happen": 明天会下雨. Its negative form is 不会 ("won't"). 的 is often added at the end to express confidence.
Subject + 其实 + … — same meaning, after the subject
大家都以为他是老师，其实他是学生。 Dàjiā dōu yǐwéi tā shì lǎoshī, qíshí tā shì xuésheng. Everyone thought he was a teacher, but actually he's a student.
其实我不喜欢吃鱼。 Qíshí wǒ bù xǐhuan chī yú. Actually, I don't like eating fish.
汉字其实不难。 Hànzì qíshí bù nán. Chinese characters aren't actually difficult.
如果 A，(就) B
如果……就……: if — then
如果 A，就 B means "if A, then B". The condition always comes first, and 就 follows the subject in the second clause. 的话 is often added at the end of the condition: 如果你不去的话.
Subject + 如果 + condition ， … — subject at the start
如果明天下雨，我们就不去了。 Rúguǒ míngtiān xiàyǔ, wǒmen jiù bú qù le. If it rains tomorrow, we won't go.
如果你有时间，就来我家吧。 Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu shíjiān, jiù lái wǒ jiā ba. If you have time, come over to my place.
如果你不喜欢，就别买了。 Rúguǒ nǐ bù xǐhuan, jiù bié mǎi le. If you don't like it, don't buy it.
为了 + purpose，……
为了: in order to, for the sake of
为了 means "in order to, for the sake of": it states a purpose. It usually comes first: 为了学好汉语，他每天看中国电影. If the purpose comes last, use 是为了: 我这么做是为了你.
为了 + purpose ， subject + action — in order to…, (he) does…
Subject + 为了 + purpose + action — same meaning, subject at the start
Subject + action + 是 + 为了 + purpose — does this for the sake of…
为了学好汉语，他每天都看中国电影。 Wèile xué hǎo Hànyǔ, tā měi tiān dōu kàn Zhōngguó diànyǐng. To learn Chinese well, he watches Chinese films every day.
为了身体健康，我每天早上跑步。 Wèile shēntǐ jiànkāng, wǒ měi tiān zǎoshang pǎobù. I go running every morning to stay healthy.
为了不迟到，我六点就起床了。 Wèile bù chídào, wǒ liù diǎn jiù qǐchuáng le. To avoid being late, I got up as early as six.
A 跟/和 B 一样 (+ adj.)
跟……一样: "the same as"
A 跟 B 一样 — "A is the same as B"; 跟 B 一样高 — "as tall as B"; 跟 B 不一样 — "different from B". 一样 always comes at the end of the comparison, with any adjective after it.
A + 跟/和 + B + 一样 — A is the same as B
A + 跟/和 + B + 一样 + adjective — A is as (tall, cold…) as B
A + 跟/和 + B + 不一样 — A is different from B; A and B are different
跟 + B + 一样 + 的 + noun — the same … as B's
我的手机跟你的一样。 Wǒ de shǒujī gēn nǐ de yíyàng. My phone is the same as yours.
今天和昨天一样冷。 Jīntiān hé zuótiān yíyàng lěng. Today is as cold as yesterday.
他跟他爸爸一样高。 Tā gēn tā bàba yíyàng gāo. He is as tall as his dad.
A 比 B + adj. + 多了/得多/一点儿/number
比 + how much: much, a little, by 2 years
To say how much A exceeds B, put 多了/得多 (much), 一点儿 (a little), or a number after the adjective: 他比我大两岁. Do not use 很 or 非常 in 比 comparisons.
A 比 B + adjective + 多了 / 得多 — A is much …-er than B
A 比 B + adjective + 一点儿 — A is a little …-er than B
A 比 B + adjective + number + unit — A is …-er than B by a certain amount
A 比 B + 早/晚/多/少 + verb + number — earlier / more by…
他比我高一点儿。 Tā bǐ wǒ gāo yìdiǎnr. He is a little taller than me.
今天比昨天冷多了。 Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng duō le. Today is much colder than yesterday.
这件衣服比那件贵得多。 Zhè jiàn yīfu bǐ nà jiàn guì de duō. This piece of clothing is much more expensive than that one.
A 没有 B (那么/这么) + adj.
没有……那么……: not as … as
A 没有 B + adj. — "A is not as … as B": 我没有他高 — "I am shorter than him". Add 那么/这么 for emphasis. Question: A 有 B 那么…吗？
A + 没有 + B + adjective — A is not as … as B
A + 没有 + B + 那么/这么 + adjective — A is not quite as … as B
A + 有 + B + 那么/这么 + adjective + 吗 ？ — Is A as … as B?
我没有他高。 Wǒ méiyǒu tā gāo. I am not as tall as him.
今天没有昨天那么冷。 Jīntiān méiyǒu zuótiān nàme lěng. Today is not as cold as yesterday.
坐公交车没有坐地铁快。 Zuò gōngjiāochē méiyǒu zuò dìtiě kuài. Taking the bus is not as fast as taking the subway.
一点儿也不 / 一 + measure word + N + 都/也 + 不/没有
一点儿也不, 一个人都没有: not at all, not a single one
一点儿也(都)不 + adjective means "not at all": 我一点儿也不累. 一 + measure word + noun + 都/也 + 没有 means "not a single one": 一个人都没有. 也/都 is required.
Subject + 一点儿 + 也/都 + 不 + adjective/verb — not at all…
Subject + 一点儿 + 也/都 + 没有 + verb — did not… at all
一 + measure word + noun + 也/都 + 不/没有 + verb — not a single…
我一点儿也不累。 Wǒ yìdiǎnr yě bú lèi. I'm not tired at all.
这件衣服一点儿也不贵。 Zhè jiàn yīfu yìdiǎnr yě bú guì. This item of clothing isn't expensive at all.
我一点儿都不想去。 Wǒ yìdiǎnr dōu bù xiǎng qù. I don't feel like going at all.
什么/谁/哪儿 + 都/也 + …
什么都, 谁都, 哪儿都: everything, everyone, everywhere
A question word + 都/也 means "everything, everyone, everywhere"; with a negative, it means "nothing, no one, nowhere": 我什么都不想吃. The question word comes BEFORE the verb.
… + 什么/谁/哪儿 + 都/也 + 不/没有 + verb — nothing / no one / nowhere
怎么 + 也/都 + 不/没有 + verb — cannot, no matter how hard one tries
我什么都不想吃。 Wǒ shénme dōu bù xiǎng chī. I don't want to eat anything.
他谁都认识。 Tā shéi dōu rènshi. He knows everyone.
这个问题谁也不知道。 Zhège wèntí shéi yě bù zhīdào. No one knows the answer to this question.
adj. + 地 + V
地 before a verb: how something is done
Adjective + 地 + verb describes how an action is performed, like English adverbs ending in -ly: 高兴地说 — "said happily," 认真地学习 — "study diligently." 地 (de) comes before the verb; use 得 for an evaluation after the verb.
Subject + adjective + 地 + verb — does something in a certain way (happily, diligently)
Subject + 很 + adjective + 地 + verb — does something very + adverb
她高兴地笑了。 Tā gāoxìng de xiào le. She laughed happily.
他认真地学习汉语。 Tā rènzhēn de xuéxí Hànyǔ. He studies Chinese diligently.
大家安静地听老师说话。 Dàjiā ānjìng de tīng lǎoshī shuōhuà. Everyone listens quietly to the teacher speaking.
V + 了 + duration (+ O)
学了两年: how long an action lasted
Say how long an action lasted AFTER the verb: 我学了两年汉语. With an object, use this order or repeat the verb: 我学汉语学了两年. 了 at the end means "and it is still continuing."
Subject + verb + 了 + duration + (的) + object — did something for a certain length of time
Subject + verb + object + verb + 了 + duration — the same, with the verb repeated
Subject + verb + 了 + duration + 了 — has been doing something for this long (and is still continuing)
Subject + duration + 没有 + verb + 了 — has not done something for this long
我学了两年汉语。 Wǒ xué le liǎng nián Hànyǔ. I studied Chinese for two years.
我学了两年汉语了。 Wǒ xué le liǎng nián Hànyǔ le. I've been studying Chinese for two years.
我学汉语学了一年。 Wǒ xué Hànyǔ xué le yì nián. I studied Chinese for a year.
V + 着
着: a state or background action
着 (zhe) after a verb shows an ongoing state: 门开着 — "the door is open." V1着 + V2 shows how the second action is done: 笑着说 — "speak with a smile."
Subject + verb + 着 — is in this state
Place + verb + 着 + something/someone — where something stands, lies, or hangs
Subject + verb 1 + 着 + verb 2 — does 2 while doing 1 (how? "-ing")
门开着。 Mén kāi zhe. The door is open.
他穿着一件新衣服。 Tā chuān zhe yí jiàn xīn yīfu. He is wearing a new item of clothing.
桌子上放着一本书。 Zhuōzi shang fàng zhe yì běn shū. There is a book on the table.
V + 进/出/上/下/回/过/起 + 来/去
拿出来, 走进去: the direction of an action
After the verb, add a direction (进 in, 出 out, 上 up, 下 down, 回 back, 过 across, 起 up) and 来 "here" or 去 "there": 站起来, 走进去. The place goes before 来/去.
Verb + 进/出/上/下/回/过 + 来/去 — where to and in which direction
Verb + 进/出/上/下/回 + place + 来/去 — the place goes before 来/去
Verb + 起来 — rise up; start doing something
请站起来。 Qǐng zhàn qǐlai. Please stand up.
老师走进来了。 Lǎoshī zǒu jìnlai le. The teacher came in.
孩子跑出去了。 Háizi pǎo chūqu le. The child ran outside.
V + 得/不 + result
看得懂 / 听不懂: can or cannot
Put 得 ("can") or 不 ("cannot") between the verb and the result: 听得懂 — can understand what one hears, 听不懂 — cannot understand. This is how Chinese expresses "can / cannot."
Verb + 得 + result — can do it, can achieve the result
Verb + 不 + result — cannot do it, cannot achieve the result
Verb + 得 + result + 吗 ？ — is it possible? can you do it?
Verb + 得 + result + verb + 不 + result ？ — is it possible or not?
你听得懂老师说的汉语吗？ Nǐ tīng de dǒng lǎoshī shuō de Hànyǔ ma? Can you understand the Chinese the teacher speaks?
老师说得太快了，我听不懂。 Lǎoshī shuō de tài kuài le, wǒ tīng bu dǒng. The teacher speaks too fast; I can't understand.
字太小了，我看不清楚。 Zì tài xiǎo le, wǒ kàn bu qīngchu. The characters are too small; I can't see them clearly.
A 让 B + V
让: "tell, ask, allow"
A 让 B + verb — A tells, asks or allows B to do something: 妈妈让我去买菜 — "Mom asked me to go grocery shopping." 不让 — "doesn't allow." 让我 + verb — "let me…"
A + 让 + B + verb — A tells / asks / allows B to do something
A + 不让 + B + verb — A doesn't allow B to do something
让 + 我 + verb — let me…, allow me to…
妈妈让我去买菜。 Māma ràng wǒ qù mǎi cài. Mom asked me to go grocery shopping.
老师让我们读课文。 Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen dú kèwén. The teacher told us to read the text.
医生让他多休息。 Yīshēng ràng tā duō xiūxi. The doctor told him to get more rest.
把 + O + V + result
把: what was done to an object
把 moves the object before the verb to say what was done to it and where it ended up: 我把作业写完了. Something must follow the verb: a result, 了, or a location.
Subject + 把 + object + verb + result/了 — who did what to the object
Subject + 把 + object + verb + 在/给/到 + … — where it was put, who it was given to
Subject + 没有/别 + 把 + object + verb + … — didn't do / don't do
请把门关上。 Qǐng bǎ mén guān shang. Please close the door.
我把作业写完了。 Wǒ bǎ zuòyè xiě wán le. I've finished my homework.
你把手机放在哪儿了？ Nǐ bǎ shǒujī fàng zài nǎr le? Where did you put the phone?
A 被 (B) + V + result
被: something happened to someone
被 is a passive construction: the object or person affected by an action comes first: 我的手机被弟弟拿走了. It often describes something unpleasant. The verb also needs a result or 了 after it.
我的手机被弟弟拿走了。 Wǒ de shǒujī bèi dìdi ná zǒu le. My phone was taken by my younger brother.
蛋糕被孩子吃完了。 Dàngāo bèi háizi chī wán le. The cake was eaten up by the child.
鱼被猫吃了。 Yú bèi māo chī le. The fish was eaten by the cat.
不但 A，而且 B
不但……而且……: not only, but also
不但 A 而且 B — "not only A, but also B": 这个菜不但好吃，而且很便宜. If there is one subject, it comes before 不但; 也/还 is often added in the second part.
Subject + 不但 + A ， 而且 + B — he is not only A, but also B
不但 + subject 1 + A ， 而且 + subject 2 + 也 + A — not only he, but also she
Subject + 不但 + A ， 而且 + 还 + B — not only…, but also…
这个菜不但好吃，而且很便宜。 Zhè ge cài búdàn hǎochī, érqiě hěn piányi. This dish is not only tasty, but also cheap.
她不但漂亮，而且很聪明。 Tā búdàn piàoliang, érqiě hěn cōngming. She is not only beautiful, but also smart.
他不但会说汉语，而且说得很好。 Tā búdàn huì shuō Hànyǔ, érqiě shuō de hěn hǎo. He not only speaks Chinese, but speaks it very well.
除了 A (以外)，……
除了……以外: except; besides
除了 A 以外 — "except A; besides A". Follow it with 都 for "everyone/everything except A" (excluding A), or 还/也 for "in addition to A" (including A). 以外 can be omitted.
除了 A (以外) ， … 都 … — except A, everyone/everything… (A is excluded)
除了 A (以外) ， … 还/也 … — besides A, also… (A is included)
除了他以外，大家都来了。 Chúle tā yǐwài, dàjiā dōu lái le. Everyone came except him.
除了星期天以外，我每天都上班。 Chúle xīngqītiān yǐwài, wǒ měi tiān dōu shàngbān. I work every day except Sunday.
看来 means "it seems, apparently" (a conclusion from what we see): 看来要下雨了. 看上去 means "looks, appears": 你看上去很累. 在我看来 means "in my opinion, in my view".
Fact ， 看来 + conclusion — it seems, apparently…
Person/thing + 看上去 + adjective — looks (a certain way)
在 + person + 看来 ， + opinion — in someone's opinion, in someone's view
看来要下雨了。 Kànlái yào xià yǔ le. It looks like it's going to rain.
他今天没有来，看来是生病了。 Tā jīntiān méiyǒu lái, kànlái shì shēngbìng le. He didn't come today — apparently, he's ill.
灯都关了，看来家里没有人。 Dēng dōu guān le, kànlái jiā li méiyǒu rén. All the lights are off — apparently, no one is home.
一般 来 说 ， + general rule
"As a rule, usually": 一般来说
一般来说 means "as a rule, usually, generally": 一般来说，南方比北方热. It goes at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma. It describes a general rule, not a one-time event.
一般来说 ， + general rule — as a rule, usually…
一般来说 …… ， + 但是/可是 + exception — usually this is the case, but…
一般来说，南方比北方热。 Yìbān lái shuō, nánfāng bǐ běifāng rè. As a rule, it's hotter in the south than in the north.
一般来说，早睡早起对身体好。 Yìbān lái shuō, zǎo shuì zǎo qǐ duì shēntǐ hǎo. As a rule, going to bed early and getting up early is good for your health.
一般来说，周末的电影票比较贵。 Yìbān lái shuō, zhōumò de diànyǐng piào bǐjiào guì. Movie tickets are usually more expensive on weekends.
V + 一会儿 / 一会儿 + V / 不 一会儿 / 一会儿 A ， 一会儿 B
"For a while", "soon", "now…, now…": 一会儿
一会儿 means "for a little while" after a verb (等一会儿) and "soon, in a moment" before a verb (他一会儿就来). 不一会儿 means "soon, in no time". 一会儿A，一会儿B means "now A, now B".
Verb + 一会儿 — for a little while (duration)
一会儿 (+ 就) + verb — soon, in a moment
不一会儿 ， (+ 就) + … — soon, before long
一会儿 + A ， 一会儿 + B — now A, now B
请等一会儿。 Qǐng děng yíhuìr. Please wait a moment.
我休息一会儿再做。 Wǒ xiūxi yíhuìr zài zuò. I'll rest for a while, then carry on.
我们在公园里坐了一会儿。 Wǒmen zài gōngyuán li zuò le yíhuìr. We sat in the park for a while.
…… 不 怎么样 / 不 怎么 + adj. / verb
"So-so", "not very": 不怎么样 and 不怎么
不怎么样 means "so-so, not very good": 这家饭馆的菜不怎么样. It goes at the end as an evaluation. 不怎么 + adjective or verb means "not very, not particularly": 今天不怎么冷, 我不怎么喜欢吃甜的.
Something + 不怎么样 — so-so, not very good
不怎么 + adjective — not very (cold, expensive…)
不怎么 + verb — not particularly; rarely
这家饭馆的菜不怎么样。 Zhè jiā fànguǎn de cài bù zěnmeyàng. The food at this restaurant is so-so.
那个电影不怎么样，别去看了。 Nà ge diànyǐng bù zěnmeyàng, bié qù kàn le. That movie isn't very good. Don't go and see it.
他的汉语水平不怎么样。 Tā de Hànyǔ shuǐpíng bù zěnmeyàng. His Chinese is so-so.
verb / adj. + 什么 (+ 啊)
"Why are you…? No need to…": 哭什么啊, 急什么
Verb + 什么 (+ 啊) is not a real question: it means "why are you…, there's no need to…, don't": 你哭什么啊？ — "why are you crying?", 急什么？ — "what's the hurry?". A reason usually follows.
(You +) verb / adj. + 什么 (+ 啊) ？ — why are you…? no need to…!
X + 什么 ， + reason — no need to X, because…
X + 什么 + X ！ — harsh: stop X!
你哭什么啊？不是你的错。 Nǐ kū shénme a? Bú shì nǐ de cuò. Why are you crying? It's not your fault.
急什么？时间还早呢。 Jí shénme? Shíjiān hái zǎo ne. What's the hurry? It's still early.
你怕什么？我在这儿呢。 Nǐ pà shénme? Wǒ zài zhèr ne. What are you afraid of? I'm right here.
noun + 个个 / 张张 / 天天 + 都 ； 一 个 一 个 (地) + verb
"Every single one" and "one by one": 个个, 天天, 一个一个
Repeating a measure word means "each, every single one": 同学个个都很聪明, 他天天跑步. 都 usually follows. 一个一个 (地) + verb means "one by one, one after another": 请大家一个一个地进来.
Noun + measure word × 2 + 都 + … — every single one, each
天天 / 年年 / 人人 + 都 + … — every day / year, everyone
一 + measure word + 一 + measure word (+ 地) + verb — one by one, one after another
我们班的同学个个都很聪明。 Wǒmen bān de tóngxué gègè dōu hěn cōngmíng. Every single student in our class is smart.
这些照片张张都很好看。 Zhèxiē zhàopiàn zhāngzhāng dōu hěn hǎokàn. Every single one of these photos is beautiful.
她的衣服件件都很漂亮。 Tā de yīfu jiànjiàn dōu hěn piàoliang. Every piece of clothing she has is beautiful.
possessor + 这 / 那 + number + measure word + adj. (+ 的) + noun
Modifier order: 我的那两本新书
When several modifiers precede a noun, their order is fixed: possessor (的) → this/that → number + measure word → description → noun: 我的那两本新书. A longer description with 的 goes closer to the noun.
Possessor + 的 + 这/那 + number + measure word + adj. + noun — those two new books of mine
这/那 + number + measure word + 很 + adj. + 的 + noun — these two very beautiful…
Action + 的 + 那 + number + measure word + noun — those two that (I bought)
我的那两本新书呢？ Wǒ de nà liǎng běn xīn shū ne? Where are those two new books of mine?
他的那辆旧自行车还能骑。 Tā de nà liàng jiù zìxíngchē hái néng qí. That old bike of his can still be ridden.
我妈妈的那件蓝衬衫很漂亮。 Wǒ māma de nà jiàn lán chènshān hěn piàoliang. That blue shirt of my mom's is very pretty.
V + 住 / 走 / 上
Complements of result 住, 走, 上: 记住, 拿走, 关上, 穿上
Three more "results" after a verb: 住 — fix in place, hold (记住 "memorize", 站住 "stop"); 走 — take away (拿走); 上 — close, put on, write in (关上, 穿上, 写上).
Verb + 住 (+ object) — fix in place, hold: 记住, 站住
Verb + 走 (+ object) — take away, lead away: 拿走, 带走, 开走
Verb + 上 (+ object) — close, put on, write in: 关上, 穿上, 写上
请记住我的电话号码。 Qǐng jìzhù wǒ de diànhuà hàomǎ. Please remember my phone number.
你要记住，明天早上八点考试。 Nǐ yào jìzhù, míngtiān zǎoshang bā diǎn kǎoshì. Remember: the exam is at eight tomorrow morning.
这么多词，我记不住。 Zhème duō cí, wǒ jì bu zhù. I can't remember so many words.
adj. + 得很 / 极了 / 坏了
好得很, 好极了, 累坏了: "very, very"
A high degree can be expressed AFTER the adjective: 冷得很 — "very cold", 好极了 — "excellent", 饿坏了 — "terribly hungry". Nothing is added after 得很 or 极了, and 很 is not placed before the adjective.
Subject + verb + 得 + 很 + adjective — for comparison: how something is done (说得很好)
今天外面冷得很，你多穿一点儿。 Jīntiān wàimiàn lěng de hěn, nǐ duō chuān yìdiǎnr. It's very cold outside today, so dress warmly.
这儿的东西贵得很。 Zhèr de dōngxi guì de hěn. Things here are very expensive.
他最近忙得很，没有时间休息。 Tā zuìjìn máng de hěn, méiyǒu shíjiān xiūxi. He's been very busy lately and has no time to rest.
怎样 + verb？ / 怎样 的 + noun
怎样: "how, in what way"
怎样 means "how, in what way": 怎样学好汉语？ Before a verb, it equals 怎么; at the end of a sentence and before 的, it equals 怎么样. But 怎样 does not mean "why", and suggestions like "let's…, how about it?" normally use 怎么样.
(Subject +) 怎样 + verb？ — how (in what way) is something done?
怎样 + 的 + noun — what kind of
Subject + 怎样 / 怎么样？ — what is it like; how is it going?
Suggestion， 怎么样？ — how about…? (suggestion)
怎样才能学好汉语？ Zěnyàng cái néng xué hǎo Hànyǔ? How can I learn Chinese well?
请问，去机场怎样走？ Qǐng wèn, qù jīchǎng zěnyàng zǒu? Excuse me, how do I get to the airport?
老师告诉我们怎样写这个字。 Lǎoshī gàosu wǒmen zěnyàng xiě zhè ge zì. The teacher told us how to write this character.
place + V (+ 了 / 来 / 去) + number + who / what
前面走过来一个人: someone appears or disappears
When someone new appears in or disappears from a place, put the place first and the person after the verb: 家里来了两位客人, 前面走过来一个人, 我的包里少了一本书.
Place + verb + 了 + number + measure word + who / what — someone appeared / disappeared there
Place + verb + 过来 / 进来 / 出来 / 下来 + number + who / what — someone came out / approached from there
Place + 少 / 多 + 了 + number + what — there are … fewer / more there
前面走过来一个人。 Qiánmiàn zǒu guòlai yí ge rén. Someone is walking toward us from up ahead.
家里来了两位客人。 Jiā li lái le liǎng wèi kèrén. Two guests came to our home.
我的包里少了一本书。 Wǒ de bāo li shǎo le yì běn shū. One book is missing from my bag.
大概 + … ； 三 四 / 七 八 + measure word
大概, 三四个: approximately
Use 大概 before a verb or number to mean "approximately": 他大概八点到. Or put two consecutive numbers together: 三四个 "three or four," 七八天 "seven or eight days." Use the measure word only once, at the end.
Subject + 大概 + verb / number — approximately; probably
Number + consecutive number + measure word + noun — three or four, seven or eight…
十 + 几 + measure word / 几 + 十 + measure word — ten or more / several dozen
他大概八点到。 Tā dàgài bā diǎn dào. He'll arrive at about eight.
从这儿到机场大概要一个小时。 Cóng zhèr dào jīchǎng dàgài yào yí ge xiǎoshí. It takes about an hour to get to the airport from here.
这本书大概五十块钱。 Zhè běn shū dàgài wǔshí kuài qián. This book costs about fifty yuan.
需要 / 愿意 / 得 / 必须 + V ； 不用 + V
需要, 愿意, 得, 必须: need to, be willing to, must
需要 means "need to," 愿意 means "be willing to," 得 (děi) is a conversational "have to," and 必须 means "must." To say "don't have to" with 得 and 必须, use 不用: 你不用来, not 不得 or 不必须.
Subject + 需要 + verb / noun — need; require
Subject + (不) 愿意 + verb — be (un)willing to; (not) agree to
Subject + 得 (děi) / 必须 + verb — have to / must
Subject + 不用 + verb — don't have to; no need to
我需要你的帮助。 Wǒ xūyào nǐ de bāngzhù. I need your help.
你生病了，需要多休息。 Nǐ shēngbìng le, xūyào duō xiūxi. You're ill. You need to rest more.
你愿意跟我一起去吗？ Nǐ yuànyì gēn wǒ yìqǐ qù ma? Are you willing to go with me?
别人 means "other people," 别的 and 其他 mean "other," and 咱们 means "we," including the listener. When not asking a question, 什么, 哪儿, 谁 mean "something, somewhere, someone": 好像在哪儿见过.
才…呢 expresses a strong objection: 我才不去呢！ "No way, I'm not going!". 这才… means "now that's what I call": 这才对！ 就 + 不 expresses stubbornness: 我就不去 "I'm not going, and that's that". 就是 means "exactly": 就是他.
今天比昨天更冷。 Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān gèng lěng. Today is even colder than yesterday.
他很高，他哥哥更高。 Tā hěn gāo, tā gēge gèng gāo. He's tall, and his older brother is even taller.
一块儿 / 一共 / 只 / 到处 + verb
"Together, in total, only, everywhere": 一块儿, 一共, 只, 到处
These adverbs go after the subject, before the verb: 一块儿 — "together" (colloquial 一起), 一共 — "in total, altogether", 只 — "only, just", 到处 — "everywhere" (often 到处都是……).
A + (跟 B) + 一块儿 + verb — do something together
一共 + (verb +) number — in total, altogether
只 + verb (+ number / thing) — only, just
place + 到处 + 都是 + …；到处 + verb — everywhere, all over
周末我跟朋友一块儿去公园了。 Zhōumò wǒ gēn péngyou yíkuàir qù gōngyuán le. I went to the park with a friend over the weekend.
这些东西一共多少钱？ Zhèxiē dōngxi yígòng duōshao qián? How much do all these things cost altogether?
马上 / 一直 / 总(是) / 常常 + verb
"Right away, all the time, always, often": 马上, 一直, 总是, 常常
马上 means "right away, any moment now" (often 马上就……). 一直 means "all the time, without a break". 总 / 总是 means "always, constantly" (every time). 常常 means "often" (many times, but not always). All go before the verb.
马上 (+ 就) + verb (+ 了) — right away; any moment now
一直 + (在 +) verb — all the time; continuously
总 / 总是 + verb — always; every time; constantly
常常 + verb；不常 + verb — often; not often
你等一下，我马上来。 Nǐ děng yíxià, wǒ mǎshàng lái. Wait a moment, I'll be right there.
电影马上就要开始了。 Diànyǐng mǎshàng jiù yào kāishǐ le. The movie is about to start.
你别着急，医生马上就到。 Nǐ bié zháojí, yīshēng mǎshàng jiù dào. Don't worry, the doctor will be here any moment.
大概 / 一定 / 当然 + …
"Probably, definitely, of course": 大概, 一定, 当然
大概 means "probably" (uncertain) or "approximately" before a number. 一定 means "definitely" (a promise or request) or "must" (a confident guess); 不一定 means "not necessarily". 当然 means "of course" and goes before the verb or at the start of a sentence.
大概 + verb；大概 + number — probably; approximately
一定 + 要 / 会 + verb — definitely; without fail
一定 + adjective / verb (+ 了)；不一定 — certainly; not necessarily, not certain
当然 + verb；当然，…… — of course
他大概不来了。 Tā dàgài bù lái le. He probably won't be coming after all.
从这儿到机场大概要一个小时。 Cóng zhèr dào jīchǎng dàgài yào yí ge xiǎoshí. It takes about an hour to get from here to the airport.
这本书大概五十块钱。 Zhè běn shū dàgài wǔshí kuài qián. This book costs about fifty yuan.
为 / 向 + person / thing + verb；根据 + basis，……
"For, toward / from, according to": 为, 向, 根据
为 means "for someone, for someone's sake": 我为你高兴, 为大家服务. 向 means "toward" (向前走) and "to, from someone" (向他学习). 根据 means "according to, based on": 根据大家的要求…… The prepositional phrase goes before the verb.
为 + person + 高兴 / 担心 / 服务 — be happy for sb / worry about sb / serve sb
向 + direction + verb — move toward …
向 + person + 学习 / 借 / 介绍 — learn from sb / borrow from sb / introduce to sb
根据 + basis，…… / 是根据……的 — according to …; based on …
你考得这么好，我真为你高兴！ Nǐ kǎo de zhème hǎo, wǒ zhēn wèi nǐ gāoxìng! You did so well on the exam. I'm really happy for you!
我们是来为大家服务的。 Wǒmen shì lái wèi dàjiā fúwù de. We're here to serve everyone.
该……了 means "it's time to": 该起床了 — "it's time to get up". 该 goes before the verb, and 了 goes at the end of the sentence. 该 + person + 了 means "someone's turn": 该你了 — "your turn", 该谁了？ — "whose turn is it?".
(Subject +) 该 + verb + 了 — it's time (to do something)
time / situation + 了，该 + verb + 了 — it's already …, it's time to …
该 + person + 了；该谁了？ — someone's turn; whose turn is it?
七点了，该起床了！ Qī diǎn le, gāi qǐchuáng le! It's seven o'clock. Time to get up!
太晚了，我该走了。 Tài wǎn le, wǒ gāi zǒu le. It's very late. It's time for me to go.
已经十二点了，该睡觉了。 Yǐjīng shí'èr diǎn le, gāi shuìjiào le. It's already twelve. Time to go to bed.
从 + time + 起，……；或者 A，或者 B
"Starting from …" and "either … or …": 从……起, 或者……，或者……
从……起 means "starting from": 从明天起 — "from tomorrow on"; what follows describes what will happen from that point onward. 或者 A，或者 B means "either A or B": it lists options in a statement; in a question, use 还是 instead.
从 + time + 起，…… — starting from …, from … onward
Subject + 从 + time + 起 + verb — someone starts doing something from … onward
(Subject +) 或者 A，或者 B — either A or B (either option is fine)
从明天起，我每天早上跑步。 Cóng míngtiān qǐ, wǒ měi tiān zǎoshang pǎobù. From tomorrow on, I'll go running every morning.
从今天起，我不喝咖啡了。 Cóng jīntiān qǐ, wǒ bù hē kāfēi le. From today on, I won't drink coffee anymore.
从下个月起，我们九点上班。 Cóng xià ge yuè qǐ, wǒmen jiǔ diǎn shàngbān. Starting next month, we'll start work at nine.