Everything you need to use basic sentences correctly: the patterns, when to use them, examples with audio, common mistakes and exercises with answers.
Chinese sentences follow Subject + Verb + Object order, the same as English. The verb 是 links nouns, and the particle 的 marks possession. Key patterns: Subject + to be + Noun; Subject + Verb + Object; Owner + 的 + Noun.
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sentences with 是 | S + 是 + N Subject + to be + Noun | 我是学生。 I am a student. 是 never changes form, whatever the subject is |
| Basic SVO sentence | S + V + O Subject + Verb + Object | 我喝咖啡。 I drink coffee. |
| Possession with 的 | A + 的 + N Owner + 的 + Noun | 这是我的书。 This is my book. 的 does the job of 's and of in English |
Use 是 to say who you are and what you do
Put 的 between the owner and the thing owned
Pick the right option, then open the answer to check it.
Options: 会 · 在 · 是 · 有
是. A 是 B is the basic noun sentence: I am a student.
Options: 了 · 吗 · 呢 · 的
的. 我的书 = my book. 的 marks possession.
Options: 她在医生。 · 她是了医生。 · 她是医生。 · 她有医生。
她是医生。. Use 是 to link the subject to a noun naming a job.
Options: 吃 · 听 · 喝 · 看
喝. 喝 is used for drinks: Do you drink coffee?
Options: 我的这是朋友。 · 这在我朋友。 · 这是我的朋友。 · 这有我的朋友。
这是我的朋友。. 这是 + possessive + noun: This is my friend.
Options: 叫 · 在 · 是 · 有
是. Linking the subject to a nationality noun takes 是: He is Chinese.
Options: 在 · 很 · 有 · 的
有. Place + 有 + thing says what exists somewhere: There is a book on the table.
Options: 在 · 很 · 是 · 的
在. Person or thing + 在 + place says where someone is: My mother is at home.
Options: 在 · 很 · 是 · 有
很. An adjective predicate does not take 是; 很 usually goes before it: My room is big.
Options: 了 · 吗 · 呢 · 的
的. 谁的 + noun = whose: Whose phone is this?
Options: 吃 · 听 · 喝 · 看
吃. 米饭 is food, so it goes with 吃: I eat rice at noon.
Options: 写 · 吃 · 喝 · 看
看. 看电视 = to watch TV: He watches TV every evening.
Options: 我哥哥是老师。 · 我哥哥有老师。 · 我哥哥老师是。 · 我的哥哥在老师。
我哥哥是老师。. Pattern S + 是 + job noun, with 是 between subject and noun: My older brother is a teacher.
Options: 在 · 很 · 是 · 有
是. 那是 + noun = that is...: That is my teacher.
Options: 在 · 是 · 有 · 的
在. 在 + place goes before the verb: I work in Beijing.
Options: 在 · 很 · 有 · 都
都. 都 (all) is an adverb placed after the subject and before the verb: They are all students.
Options: 我吃饭在家。 · 我在吃饭家。 · 我在家吃饭。 · 我家吃饭在。
我在家吃饭。. The 在 + place phrase comes before the verb, unlike English: I eat at home.
Options: 个 · 在 · 是 · 有
有. The number of people in a family is given with 有: There are five people in my family.
Options: 那他的是杯子。 · 那在他的杯子。 · 那是他杯子的。 · 那是他的杯子。
那是他的杯子。. Pattern 那是 + owner + 的 + noun: That is his cup.
Options: 吗 · 很 · 有 · 的
很. 很 goes before the feeling verb 喜欢 to show degree: I really like drinking tea.
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