Chinese Grammar Patterns
572 Mandarin grammar patterns organized by CEFR level (A1–C1), with structure formulas, examples, and pinyin.
Grammar patterns organized by CEFR level. Source: Chinese Grammar Wiki by AllSet Learning.
Pattern Counts by Level
| Level | Patterns | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 40 | 40 |
| A2 | 99 | 139 |
| B1 | 143 | 282 |
| B2 | 154 | 436 |
| C1 | 69+ | 505+ |
| Total | 572 | 572 |
Core Grammar Concepts
Word Order
Default SVO (Subject–Verb–Object), but time and place go before the verb:
| English | Wrong (direct translation) | Correct Mandarin |
|---|---|---|
| I went to Beijing yesterday. | 我去了北京昨天。 | 我昨天去了北京。 |
| She reads at the library. | 她看书在图书馆。 | 她在图书馆看书。 |
The Three "De" Particles (的地得)
All pronounced "de" (neutral tone), but written differently:
| Character | Function | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 的 | Attributive (修饰名词) | 漂亮的花 / 我的书 | beautiful flower / my book |
| 地 | Adverbial (修饰动词) | 慢慢地走 | walk slowly |
| 得 | Degree complement | 跑得很快 | run fast |
Aspect Markers (了着过) — NOT Tenses
Chinese has no grammatical tense. Time is expressed through context and time words. Aspect markers describe the nature of an action:
| Marker | Aspect | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 了 le | Completion / change of state | 我吃了。/ 她来了。 | I ate. / She came (is here now). |
| 着 zhe | Ongoing state | 门开着。/ 他站着。 | The door is open. / He is standing. |
| 过 guo | Experiential (ever done) | 我去过北京。 | I've been to Beijing (before). |
Measure Words — Mandatory
Cannot say "three book" in Chinese — must say "three 本 book":
| MW | Pinyin | Used for | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 个 | gè | Default/general | 一个人, 一个苹果 |
| 本 | běn | Books, bound volumes | 一本书 |
| 张 | zhāng | Flat objects | 一张纸, 一张桌子 |
| 条 | tiáo | Long flexible things | 一条鱼, 一条路 |
| 件 | jiàn | Clothing, matters | 一件衬衫, 一件事 |
| 只 | zhī | Small animals | 一只猫, 一只鸟 |
| 杯 | bēi | Cups of liquid | 一杯水 |
| 辆 | liàng | Vehicles | 一辆车 |
| 块 | kuài | Chunks, colloquial money | 一块钱 |
| 双 | shuāng | Pairs | 一双鞋 |
Key Patterns by Level
A1 Essentials
是copula: 我是学生。(I am a student.) — NOT used before adjectives- Adjective predicate: 她很高。(She is tall.) — no copula; 很 hěn required
有possession: 我有一本书。(I have a book.)不negation: 我不是老师。/ 我不喜欢。吗yes/no question: 你是学生吗？- Basic SVO: 我喜欢中文。
A2 Key Patterns
比comparison: 他比我高。(He is taller than me.)把disposal: 我把书放在桌子上。(I put the book on the table.)- Result complements: 我听懂了。(I understood through listening.)
虽然…但是concession: Although…but
B1 Key Patterns
被passive: 书被他拿走了。(The book was taken by him.)- Potential complements: 进得去/进不去 (can/can't get in)
连…都/也even: 连小孩都知道。(Even children know.)越来越more and more: 天气越来越热。
B2 Key Patterns
不但不…反而not only not…but instead与其…不如rather than…better to- Formal connectives: 尽管, 由于, 即使, 然而
Reference
All patterns with 10+ example sentences, pinyin, and full explanations: → Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning)