Introduction to Chinese

Connecting ideas smoothly is crucial for clear and sophisticated communication. In Chinese, this task is handled primarily by 连词 (liáncí), commonly known as “conjunctions.” Unlike some languages that rely heavily on inflection or rigid word order for sentence relationships, Chinese uses these specific linking words to explicitly show the logical connections between clauses or sentences. Mastering them is essential for moving beyond simple, choppy sentences to expressing nuanced thoughts fluently. Core Functions of Chinese Conjunctions Chinese conjunctions serve several key logical functions, helping to build complex and compound sentences: Common Chinese Conjunctions by Function Understanding the function is often […]

Describing the qualities of people, objects, or situations is essential in any language. In Chinese, words that denote these qualities are generally referred to as 形容词 (xíngróngcí), commonly translated as “adjectives.” However, their usage and grammatical behavior differ significantly from adjectives in languages like English or French. Understanding these differences is key to expressing yourself naturally in Chinese. How Chinese Adjectives Work Unlike verbs, Chinese adjectives do not conjugate. More interestingly, they often don’t behave exactly like typical adjectives found in Indo-European languages. They can function both as attributive modifiers (before a noun) and as predicative complements (after a […]

Connecting ideas smoothly is crucial for clear and sophisticated communication. In Chinese, this task is handled primarily by 连词 (liáncí), commonly known as “conjunctions.” Unlike some languages that rely heavily on inflection or rigid word order for sentence relationships, Chinese uses these specific linking words to explicitly show the logical connections between clauses or sentences. Mastering them is essential for moving beyond simple, choppy sentences to expressing nuanced thoughts fluently. Core Functions of Chinese Conjunctions Chinese conjunctions serve several key logical functions, helping to build complex and compound sentences: Common Chinese Conjunctions by Function Understanding the function is often […]

One of the first things language learners often grapple with in a new language is how it handles verbs—specifically, whether verbs change their form based on tense, person, or number. This process, known as verb conjugation, is central to languages like Spanish, French, or Latin. So, when starting to learn Chinese, a common and very valid question arises: Does Chinese have verb conjugation? How does it express different tenses or time? The short answer is: No, Standard Chinese (Mandarin) does not have verb conjugation in the traditional sense. Verbs in Chinese do not change their form to indicate past, […]

Navigating and describing the physical world accurately is a fundamental part of communication. In Chinese, expressing location, direction, and spatial relationships relies heavily on a set of core words known as fangwei ci (方位词), often translated as “directional words” or “position words.” While sometimes grouped with prepositions, they form a distinct and crucial part of Chinese grammar for describing space. Unlike languages with extensive systems of prepositions (like “in,” “on,” “under,” “beside” in English), Chinese primarily uses these specific directional/location words, often in combination with other particles or structures, to convey where something is or how it moves in […]

⏰ 1. Why Time Expressions Are Important in Mandarin Time is a key part of communication — whether you’re making plans, attending meetings, or simply asking someone’s schedule. In Mandarin, time expressions follow a clear structure , but differ from English in several ways: Mastering how to say: …is essential for real-life conversations — especially if you plan to live, work, or travel in China. Let’s dive into the core components of time expression in Mandarin. ? 2. Expressing Years, Months, and Days The standard format in Mandarin is: Year + 年 (nián) → Month + 月 (yuè) → […]

? 1. Why Understanding Numbers Matters in Mandarin Numbers are everywhere — from street signs and menus to job interviews, business meetings, and everyday conversations. If you’re learning Mandarin, being able to read, say, and understand numbers correctly is not just a basic skill — it’s essential for real-life communication. But unlike English, where number expressions are fairly consistent, Mandarin uses a unique structure , especially when dealing with large numbers like 万 (wàn – ten thousand) and 亿 (yì – hundred million). Getting this right will help you: Let’s break down how numbers work in Mandarin — step […]

? 1. Why Pronouns Matter in Mandarin Pronouns are the glue that holds sentences together. They help you: In English, pronouns like “he,” “she,” and “they” are straightforward — but in Mandarin, things work a bit differently. There’s no gender distinction in personal pronouns (like “he” vs. “she”), but there are different forms for politeness, plurality, and context. And when it comes to asking questions or pointing to something, Mandarin has its own system of demonstrative and interrogative pronouns that can be confusing if you’re not familiar with them. Let’s break them down into three main categories: ? 2. […]

? 1. What Are 的, 地, and 得? If you’ve been learning Mandarin for a while, you’ve probably come across the trio: 的 (de ) , 地 (de ) , and 得 (de ) . They all sound the same — and are written with different characters — but they play very different roles in grammar. Many learners struggle with them because: But mastering these three particles will help you speak more accurately and write better Mandarin — and avoid sounding like a beginner. Let’s break them down one by one. ? 2. 的 (de ) – Used to […]