HSK 4 Chinese grammar
94 HSK 4 grammar rules with structures, examples and an interactive exercise for every rule.
"But" Statements
倒 — but actually, contrary to expectation
倒 (dào)⋯⋯雨没有停，倒大起来了。Yǔ méiyǒu tíng, dào dà qǐlai le.The rain didn't stop, but got heavier.尽管 — although… but…
尽管 (jǐnguǎn)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì)⋯⋯尽管我很生气，但是我没发脾气。Jǐnguǎn wǒ hěn shēngqì, dànshì wǒ méi fā píqì.Although I was very angry, I didn't lose my temper.却 — however, yet
⋯⋯，却 (què)⋯⋯他很努力，却总是失败。Tā hěn nǔlì, què zǒngshì shībài.He works very hard, yet always fails."Even If" Statements
"If" Statements
"No Matter" Statements
不管 — no matter
不管 (bùguǎn)⋯⋯，都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)⋯⋯不管多忙，他都会回电话。Bùguǎn duō máng, tā dōu huì huí diànhuà.No matter how busy he is, he always returns calls.无论 — no matter what
无论 (wúlùn) / 不论 (bùlùn)⋯⋯，都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)⋯⋯无论遇到什么困难，我们都别放弃。Wúlùn yù dào shénme kùnnán, wǒmen dōu bié fàngqì.No matter what difficulties we encounter, we must not give up.Adjectives
Adverbs
只好 — only option, had to
Subj. + 只好 (zhǐhǎo) + Verb Phrase没有别的办法，只好放弃。Méiyǒu biéde bànfǎ, zhǐhǎo fàngqì.There’s no other way, so I had to give up.究竟 — in the end
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question究竟发生了什么？Jiūjìng fāshēng le shénme?What on earth happened?到底 — in the end, after all
到底 (dàodǐ) + Verb / Adj.你到底去不去？Nǐ dàodǐ qù bù qù?Are you going or not, after all?结果 — as a result
Reason，结果 (jiéguǒ) + Result我等了他两个小时，结果他没来。Wǒ děng le tā liǎng gè xiǎoshí, jiéguǒ tā méi lái.I waited for him two hours, and as a result he didn’t come.不得不 — have to, forced to
Subj. + 不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb Phrase天气太差，我们不得不取消航班。Tiānqì tài chà, wǒmen bùdébù qǔxiāo hángbān.The weather is too bad, we had to cancel the flight.甚至 — even
甚至 (shènzhì) + Verb / Noun / Clause他工作太忙，甚至周末都不休息。Tā gōngzuò tài máng, shènzhì zhōumò dōu bù xiūxi.He is so busy at work that he doesn’t even rest on weekends.够 — enough
Subj. + 够 (gòu) + Predicate (+ 了 (le))时间够了，别着急。Shíjiān gòu le, bié zháojí.There's enough time, don't rush.本来 — originally
Subj. + 本来 (běnlái) + Verb / Adj.我本来是学化学的，后来改学物理了。Wǒ běnlái shì xué huàxué de, hòulái gǎi xué wùlǐ le.I originally studied chemistry, then switched to physics.最好 — had better, it would be best
Subj. + 最好 (zuìhǎo) + Verb Phrase你最好早点睡。Nǐ zuìhǎo zǎodiǎn shuì.You'd better go to sleep earlier.从来 — never in negative contexts
从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.他从来不迟到。Tā cónglái bù chídào.He never comes late.一 + measure word — one by one
一 (yī) + Measure Word + 一 (yī) + Measure Word同学们一个个走进教室。Tóngxuémen yī gè gè zǒu jìn jiàoshì.The students entered the classroom one by one.原来 — it turns out, originally
Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate原来你就是王老师！Yuánlái nǐ jiù shì Wáng lǎoshī!So you are Teacher Wang!刚 — just happened
Subj. + 刚 (gāng) + Verb Phrase (+ 了 (le))我刚到家。Wǒ gāng dào jiā.I just arrived home.差点 — almost
Subj. + 差点 (chàdiǎn) + Predicate我差点忘了今天有考试。Wǒ chàdiǎn wàng le jīntiān yǒu kǎoshì.I almost forgot there’s an exam today.就 — only, just a small quantity
Place / Scope + 就 (jiù) + Quantity + Noun房间里就一张床。Fángjiān lǐ jiù yì zhāng chuáng.There is only one bed in the room.千万 — don't, whatever you do
千万 (qiānwàn) + (别 (bié) / 不 (bù)) + Verb你千万不要忘了带护照。Nǐ qiānwàn bùyào wàng le dài hùzhào.Please, whatever you do, don’t forget your passport.竟然 — unexpectedly
Subj. + 竟然 (jìngrán) + Verb / Adj.他竟然迟到了。Tā jìngrán chídào le.He, surprisingly, was late.恐怕 — I'm afraid that...
恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause恐怕他来不了了。Kǒngpà tā lái bù liǎo le.I’m afraid he won’t be able to come.看来 — it seems, apparently
(在 (zài) + Person +) 看来 (kànlái)看来他今天不来了。Kànlái tā jīntiān bù lái le.It seems he’s not coming today.差不多 — almost, nearly
Subj. + 差不多 (chàbuduō)我们差不多都到了。Wǒmen chàbuduō dōu dào le.Almost all of us have arrived.难道 — rhetorical question “don’t you…”
难道 (nándào)⋯⋯？难道你不知道这件事吗？Nándào nǐ bù zhīdào zhè jiàn shì ma?Don’t you know about this?正好 — just in time, coincidence
Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.你来得正好，我们正要开始。Nǐ lái de zhènghǎo, wǒmen zhèng yào kāishǐ.You’ve come just in time; we were about to start.还是 — had better
Subj. + 还是 (háishi) + Verb Phrase (+ 吧 (ba))天黑了，你还是回家吧。Tiān hēi le, nǐ háishì huí jiā ba.It's dark, you'd better go home.也 都 — also all
Subj. + 也 (yě) + 都 (dōu) + Verb我们也都喜欢喝茶。Wǒmen yě dōu xǐhuan hē chá.We all also like tea.又 — not at all, not really
又 (yòu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.我又不是小孩，你别担心。Wǒ yòu bùshì xiǎohái, nǐ bié dānxīn.I'm not a child, you know, don't worry.可 — emphatic “really”
Subj. + 可 (kě) + Verb / Adj. (+ 了 (le))这件事你可别忘了！Zhè jiàn shì nǐ kě bié wàng le!Don't you forget about this!Adverbs with Adjectives
Auxiliary verbs
Auxiliary Words
等 — etc., and so on
⋯⋯ 等 (děng) / 等等 (děngděng)这里出售电脑、手机等等。Zhèlǐ chūshòu diànnǎo, shǒujī děngděng.They sell computers, mobile phones, etc. here.什么的 — and stuff like that
Noun 1, Noun 2 + 什么的 (shénme de)我喜欢吃水果、巧克力什么的。Wǒ xǐhuan chī shuǐguǒ, qiǎokèlì shénme de.I like eating fruit, chocolate, and stuff like that.Basic/Simple Sentence Patterns
连 + noun + 都 — even
连 (lián) + Noun + 都 (dōu) + Verb连孩子都知道这个道理。Lián háizi dōu zhīdào zhège dàolǐ.Even a child knows this truth.不知道 — not knowing how to
Subj. + 不知道 (bù zhīdào) + Verb Phrase + 好 (hǎo)这件事我不知道怎么办好。Zhè jiàn shì wǒ bù zhīdào zěnme bàn hǎo.I don't know what would be best to do about this matter.一点儿也 — not at all
一点儿也 (yīdiǎnr yě) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.我一点儿也不累。Wǒ yìdiǎnr yě bù lèi.I’m not tired at all.倍 — multiples, “times”
A + 是 (shì) + B + 的 (de) + Number + 倍 (bèi)今年利润是去年的三倍。Jīnnián lìrùn shì qùnián de sān bèi.This year's profit is three times last year's.对 来说 — for me, in my opinion
对 (duì) + Person + 来说 (láishuō)对我来说，健康最重要。Duì wǒ láishuō, jiànkāng zuì zhòngyào.For me, health is the most important thing.Cause/Effect Statements
由于 — due to, because of
由于 (yóuyú) + Cause / Reason, Result由于天气原因，航班取消了。Yóuyú tiānqì yuányīn, hángbān qǔxiāo le.Due to weather conditions, the flight was cancelled.既然 — since… then…
既然 (jìrán)⋯⋯，就 (jiù)⋯⋯既然大家都到了，我们就开始吧。Jìrán dàjiā dōu dào le, wǒmen jiù kāishǐ ba.Since everyone has arrived, let’s begin.因此 — therefore, as a result
⋯⋯，因此 (yīncǐ)⋯⋯他经常锻炼，因此身体很健康。Tā jīngcháng duànliàn, yīncǐ shēntǐ hěn jiànkāng.He exercises regularly, therefore he is very healthy.Complements
Complex Sentence Patterns
一方面 — on one hand… on the other
一方面 (yì fāngmiàn)⋯⋯，一方面 (yì fāngmiàn)⋯⋯他一方面想工作，一方面又想旅行。Tā yī fāngmiàn xiǎng gōngzuò, yī fāngmiàn yòu xiǎng lǚxíng.On the one hand he wants to work, on the other hand he wants to travel.一…, 就… — as soon as
一 (yī) + Verb 1, 就 (jiù) + Verb 2我一下班就回家。Wǒ yī xiàbān jiù huí jiā.As soon as I finish work, I go home.是 — conceding a point
Adj. + 是 (shì) + Adj.， 但是 (dànshì)⋯⋯这东西好是好，但是太贵了。Zhè dōngxi hǎo shì hǎo, dànshì tài guì le.This thing is good, alright, but it’s too expensive.Conditional Statements
Conjunctions
于是 — and then
⋯⋯，于是 (yúshì) ⋯⋯他问我愿不愿意去，于是我就答应了。Tā wèn wǒ yuàn bù yuànyì qù, yúshì wǒ jiù dāying le.He asked if I wanted to go, and then I agreed.再说 — in addition, besides
⋯⋯，再说 (zàishuō)，⋯⋯这手机功能很多，再说，价格也不贵。Zhè shǒujī gōngnéng hěn duō, zàishuō, jiàgé yě bù guì.This phone has many functions, and besides, the price is not expensive.另外 — in addition
⋯⋯，另外 (lìngwài)，⋯⋯这本书内容很好，另外，价格也很便宜。Zhè běn shū nèiróng hěn hǎo, lìngwài, jiàgé yě hěn piányi.This book has good content; in addition, the price is also very low.还有 — in addition
⋯⋯，还有 (háiyǒu) + Additional Information我买了面包，还有牛奶。Wǒ mǎi le miànbāo, háiyǒu niúnǎi.I bought bread, and also milk.不过 — softer “but”
⋯⋯，不过 (búguò) ⋯⋯这部电影不错，不过有点长。Zhè bù diànyǐng bùcuò, bùguò yǒudiǎn cháng.This movie is not bad, but it’s a bit long.来 — linking method to purpose
(用 (yòng) / 通过 (tōngguò)) + Method + 来 (lái) + Purpose我们用这种方法来解决问题。Wǒmen yòng zhè zhǒng fāngfǎ lái jiějué wèntí.We use this method to solve the problem.但是 — but, however
但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì) / 不过 (bùguò) / 然而 (rán'ér)我想去，但是没时间。/ 他学习不好，可是很聪明。/ 这双鞋不错，不过贵了点儿。/ 他很有钱，然而并不幸福。Wǒ xiǎng qù, dànshì méi shíjiān. / Tā xuéxí bù hǎo, kěshì hěn cōngming. / Zhè shuāng xié bùcuò, bùguò guì le diǎnr. / Tā hěn yǒu qián, rán'ér bìng bù xìngfú.I want to go, but I don’t have time. / He doesn’t study well, but he is smart. / These shoes are nice, but a bit expensive. / He is rich, yet not happy.而 — connecting qualities
Adj. 1 + 而 (ér) + Adj. 2这种苹果甜而多汁。Zhè zhǒng píngguǒ tián ér duō zhī.This kind of apple is sweet and juicy.Noun Phrases
所有 — all, every
所有 (suǒyǒu) (+ 的 (de)) + Noun所有的问题都解决了。Suǒyǒu de wèntí dōu jiějué le.All problems have been solved.另外 — the other
另外 (lìngwài) + Number + Measure Word + Noun我还有另外一个建议。Wǒ hái yǒu lìngwài yī gè jiànyì.I have another suggestion.之一 — one of
Noun + 之一 (zhī yī)北京是世界上最大的城市之一。Běijīng shì shìjiè shàng zuì dà de chéngshì zhī yī.Beijing is one of the largest cities in the world.Nouns
Numbers
Particles
的 — modal particle for certainty
Statement + 的 (de)我会帮你忙的。Wǒ huì bāng nǐ máng de.I will definitely help you.吧 — reviewing options
Option 1 + 吧 (ba)， Option 2 + 吧 (ba)，…喝茶吧，喝咖啡吧，要不喝果汁？Hē chá ba, hē kāfēi ba, yàobù hē guǒzhī?Tea? Coffee? Or maybe juice?难道 — rhetorical question “isn’t it…?”
难道 (nándào) + Statement + 吗 (ma)?你难道不知道这件事吗？Nǐ nándào bù zhīdào zhè jiàn shì ma?Don’t you know about this?Prepositions
随着 — along with, as
随着 (suízhe) + Noun / Verb Phrase, Main Clause随着年龄的增长，他越来越成熟。Suízhe niánlíng de zēngzhǎng, tā yuè lái yuè chéngshú.As he grew older, he became more and more mature.在 — in/on/at with 在…上
在 (zài) + Noun + 上 (shàng), ⋯在大家的帮助下，他进步很快。Zài dàjiā de bāngzhù xià, tā jìnbù hěn kuài.With everyone’s help, he is making rapid progress.Sentence Patterns
既…又 — both… and…
既 (jì)⋯⋯也 (yě) / 又 (yòu)⋯⋯这个苹果既大又甜。Zhège píngguǒ jì dà yòu tián.This apple is both big and sweet.任何 — any, no matter what
任何 (rènhé) + Noun + 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)…任何人都可以参加。Rènhé rén dōu kěyǐ cānjiā.Anyone can participate.为…而… — purpose with 为…而…
为 (wèi) + Purpose + 而 (ér) + Action他为理想而奋斗。Tā wèi lǐxiǎng ér fèndòu.He strives for his ideal.以 为 — take as, regard as
以 (yǐ) + Noun 1 + 为 (wèi) + Noun 2我们以诚信为原则。Wǒmen yǐ chéngxìn wéi yuánzé.We take honesty as our principle.连 + verb — not even
连 (lián) + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb他连看都没看我一眼。Tā lián kàn dōu méi kàn wǒ yī yǎn.He didn’t even take a look at me.在 — location with 上/下/里/旁边
在 (zài) + Place + 上 (shàng) / 下 (xià) / 里 (lǐ) / 旁边 (pángbiān)书在桌子上。Shū zài zhuōzi shàng.The book is on the table.并 — emphasizing negation
并 (bìng) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.情况并不是你想的那样。Qíngkuàng bìng bù shì nǐ xiǎng de nàyàng.The situation is not at all what you think.Verb phrases
由 — emphasizing the doer of an action
由 (yóu) + Person + Verb这项任务由我负责。Zhè xiàng rènwu yóu wǒ fùzé.This task is assigned to me.并且 — moreover
Clause 1, 并且 (bìngqiě) + Clause 2他学习认真，并且成绩很好。Tā xuéxí rènzhēn, bìngqiě chéngjì hěn hǎo.He studies diligently, and moreover his grades are very good.到 — until (time/place/degree)
Verb + 到 (dào) + Time / Place / Degree昨晚我工作到十二点。Zuówǎn wǒ gōngzuò dào shí'èr diǎn.Last night I worked until twelve o'clock.值得 — worth doing
值得 (zhídé) + Verb Phrase这部电影值得一看。Zhè bù diànyǐng zhídé yī kàn.This movie is worth watching.害得 — causing a negative result
害得 (hàide) + Person + Verb Phrase下雨害得我们没去成公园。Xià yǔ hàide wǒmen méi qù chéng gōngyuán.The rain caused us not to be able to go to the park.多 — doing something more
多 (duō) + Verb Phrase多喝水对身体好。Duō hē shuǐ duì shēntǐ hǎo.Drinking more water is good for health.少 — doing something less
少 (shǎo) + Verb Phrase你少抽点烟。Nǐ shǎo chōu diǎn yān.Smoke less.帮忙 — separable verb
Verb + Object我帮了他一个忙。Wǒ bāng le tā yī gè máng.I did him a favor.并 — combining verbs with “and”
Verb 1 + 并 (bìng) + Verb 2我们讨论并通过了这项计划。Wǒmen tǎolùn bìng tōngguò le zhè xiàng jìhuà.We discussed and approved this plan.Verbs
这得看 — it depends on
这 (zhè) / 那 (nà) + 要看 (yào kàn) / 得看 (děi kàn) + situation这得看天气。Zhè děi kàn tiānqì.It depends on the weather.在于 — lies in
在于 (zàiyú) + Noun / Clause问题在于他没经验。Wèntí zàiyú tā méi jīngyàn.The problem lies in his lack of experience.通过 — through, by means of
通过 (tōngguò) + Means / Method + Verb我通过朋友找到了工作。Wǒ tōngguò péngyou zhǎo dào le gōngzuò.I found a job through friends.好像 — it seems
好像 (hǎoxiàng) + Clause他好像不高兴。Tā hǎoxiàng bù gāoxìng.It seems he is unhappy.来自 — to come from
Subj. + 来自 (láizì) + Place / Source他来自中国。Tā láizì Zhōngguó.He comes from China.以为 — mistakenly think that
Subj. + 以为 (yǐwéi)⋯⋯我以为他是老师，其实他是学生。Wǒ yǐwéi tā shì lǎoshī, qíshí tā shì xuésheng.I thought he was a teacher, but actually he is a student.来 — “to” linking actions
Verb Phrase 1 + 来 (lái) + Verb Phrase 2我们开个会来讨论这个问题。Wǒmen kāi gè huì lái tǎolùn zhège wèntí.We'll hold a meeting to discuss this issue.