HSK 5 Chinese grammar
103 HSK 5 grammar rules with structures, examples and an interactive exercise for every rule.
"But" Statements
"Even If" Statements
哪怕 — even if…
哪怕 (nǎpà)⋯⋯，也 (yě)⋯⋯哪怕只有一线希望，我们也要争取。Nǎpà zhǐyǒu yī xiàn xīwàng, wǒmen yě yào zhēngqǔ.Even if there is only a glimmer of hope, we must strive for it.就是 — even if…
就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯，也 (yě)⋯⋯就是下雨，我也要去。Jiùshì xià yǔ, wǒ yě yào qù.Even if it rains, I’ll still go.就算 — even if…
就算 (jiùsuàn)⋯⋯，也 (yě)⋯⋯就算你不帮我，我也能完成。Jiùsuàn nǐ bù bāng wǒ, wǒ yě néng wánchéng.Even if you don’t help me, I can still finish it."If" Statements
的话 — if… then…
Topic + 的话 (de huà)， Main Clause你忙的话，就不用来了。Nǐ máng de huà, jiù bùyòng lái le.If you’re busy, you don’t need to come.万一 — what if
万一 (wànyī) + (Undesirable) Condition + 怎么办 (zěnme bàn)？万一他不同意怎么办？Wànyī tā bù tóngyì zěnme bàn?What if he doesn’t agree?假如 — if… then…
假如 (jiǎrú) + Condition, 就 (jiù) + Result假如明天天气好，我们就去野餐。Jiǎrú míngtiān tiānqì hǎo, wǒmen jiù qù yěcān.If the weather is good tomorrow, we will go on a picnic.Adjectives
有的是 — “a lot of”
Subj. + 有的是 (yǒudeshì) + Noun他有的是钱。Tā yǒudeshì qián.He has plenty of money.有点儿 — a bit too
有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr) + 太 (tài) + Adj. + 了 (le)这双鞋有点儿太小了。Zhè shuāng xié yǒudiǎnr tài xiǎo le.These shoes are a bit too small.得不得了 — extremely, unbearably
Adj. + 得不得了 (de bùdéliǎo)今天热得不得了。Jīntiān rè de bùdéliǎo.Today is unbearably hot.得很 — very, extremely
Adj. + 得很 (de hěn)这个电影好得很。Zhège diànyǐng hǎo de hěn.This movie is very good.Adverbs
再也不 — never again
Subj. + 再也 (zài yě) + 不 (bù) + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)我以后再也不抽烟了。Wǒ yǐhòu zài yě bù chōuyān le.I will never smoke again from now on.毕竟 — after all
毕竟 (bìjìng) + Clause别怪他了，毕竟他还是个孩子。Bié guài tā le, bìjìng tā háishì gè háizi.Don’t blame him; after all, he is still a child.反正 — anyway
反正 (fǎnzhèng) + Fact/Reason, Main Clause不管你去不去，反正我去。Bùguǎn nǐ qù bù qù, fǎnzhèng wǒ qù.Whether you go or not, anyway I’m going.互相 — each other
互相 (hùxiāng) + Verb Phrase他们互相帮助。Tāmen hùxiāng bāngzhù.They help each other.顺便 — while you're at it
Subj. ＋Verb Phrase 1，顺便 (shùnbiàn) + Verb Phrase 2你去超市的时候，顺便帮我买瓶牛奶。Nǐ qù chāoshì de shíhòu, shùnbiàn bāng wǒ mǎi píng niúnǎi.When you go to the supermarket, while you’re at it, buy me a bottle of milk.曾经 — once
Subj. + 曾经 (céngjīng) + Verb + 过 (guo)我曾经在北京住过。Wǒ céngjīng zài Běijīng zhù guo.I once lived in Beijing.尽量 — as much as possible
尽量 (jǐnliàng) + Verb Phrase我会尽量帮助你。Wǒ huì jǐnliàng bāngzhù nǐ.I will help you as much as I can.尽管 — feel free to
尽管 (jǐnguǎn) + Verb Phrase有问题尽管问我。Yǒu wèntí jǐnguǎn wèn wǒ.If you have questions, feel free to ask me.干脆 — just do it
干脆 (gāncuì) + Verb Phrase我们干脆走路去吧。Wǒmen gāncuì zǒulù qù ba.Let’s just walk there.简直 — simply
简直 (jiǎnzhí) + Verb / Adj.他简直疯了！Tā jiǎnzhí fēng le!He’s simply gone mad!好不容易 — difficulty, “finally”
好不容易 (hǎo bù róngyì) / 好容易 (hǎo róngyì) + 才 (cái) + Verb Phrase我好不容易才找到你家。Wǒ hǎo bù róngyì cái zhǎodào nǐ jiā.I had a lot of difficulty finding your house.再三 — over and over again
再三 (zàisān) + Verb Phrase我再三提醒他，他还是忘了。Wǒ zàisān tíxǐng tā, tā háishì wàng le.I reminded him over and over again, but he still forgot.差点没 — almost didn't
Subj. + 差点没 (chàdiǎn méi) + Verb我差点没赶上火车。Wǒ chàdiǎn méi gǎnshàng huǒchē.I almost missed the train.白 — wasted effort
白 (bái) + Verb Phrase他白跑了一趟，人不在。Tā bái pǎo le yī tàng, rén bù zài.He made a wasted trip; the person wasn’t there.再不 — last chance with “if not… then…”
Subj. + 再不 (zài bù) + Verb Phrase, 就 (jiù) + result你再不走，就迟到了。Nǐ zài bù zǒu, jiù chídào le.If you don’t leave now, you’ll be late.又 — again, repeated past action
Subj. + (Time) + 又 (yòu) + Verb + 了 (le)他昨天又迟到了。Tā zuótiān yòu chídào le.He was late again yesterday.总 — always, all the time
总 (zǒng) + Verb Phrase他总是不听劝。Tā zǒngshì bù tīng quàn.He always ignores advice.都…还 — already, and still
Subj. + 都 (dōu) + Predicate都十二点了，他还不睡。Dōu shí'èr diǎn le, tā hái bù shuì.It’s already twelve o’clock, and he still hasn’t gone to bed.还…呢 — still in progress
Subj. + 还 (hái) + Predicate + 呢 (ne)他还在睡觉呢。Tā hái zài shuìjiào ne.He is still sleeping.差不多 vs 差很多 — very different
Subj. + 差很多 (chà hěn duō)这两件衣服差很多。Zhè liǎng jiàn yīfu chà hěn duō.These two pieces of clothing are very different.Adverbs with Adjectives
Auxiliary verbs
Auxiliary Words
Cause/Effect Statements
Complements
坏了 — extremely, awfully
Verb / Adj. + 坏了 (huàile)这几天忙坏了。Zhè jǐ tiān máng huài le.I’ve been extremely busy these days.着 — result of an action
Verb + 着 (zháo)他终于找着工作了。Tā zhōngyú zhǎo zháo gōngzuò le.He finally found a job.来 vs 去 — verbing around
Verb 1 + 来 (lái) + Verb 1 + 去 (qù)他想来想去，还是没决定。Tā xiǎng lái xiǎng qù, háishì méi juédìng.He thought it over and over, but still didn’t decide.得 — advanced degree complements
Adj. + 得 (de) + 很 (hěn) / 不得了 (bù de le) / 要命 (yàomìng) / 不行 (bùxíng)他气得说不出话来。Tā qì de shuō bù chū huà lái.He was so angry that he couldn’t speak.得 / 不 — potential complements
Verb + 得 (de) / 不 (bù) + Result Complement这么多菜，我一个人吃不完。Zhème duō cài, wǒ yī gè rén chī bù wán.So many dishes, I can’t finish them all by myself.住, 开, 出来 — result complements
Verb + 住 (zhù) / 开 (kāi) / 出 (chū)(来 (lái))他抓住了机会。 / 她拉开了抽屉。 / 我认出他来了。Tā zhuāzhù le jīhuì. / Tā lākāi le chōuti. / Wǒ rèn chū tā lái le.He seized the opportunity. / She pulled the drawer open. / I recognized him.到 — tricky uses of 到
Verb + 到 (dào)他提到了这个问题。 / 我没想到你会来。Tā tídào le zhège wèntí. / Wǒ méi xiǎngdào nǐ huì lái.He mentioned this issue. / I didn’t expect you to come.Sentence Patterns
将 vs 把 — formal “ba” construction
Subj. + 将 (jiāng) + Obj. + Verb + Complement请将门窗关好。Qǐng jiāng ménchuāng guān hǎo.Please close the windows and doors.不比 — not more than
A + 不比 (bù bǐ) + B + Adj. (A is not more Adj. than B)他不比我高。Tā bù bǐ wǒ gāo.He is not taller than me.就 — indifference “fine, whatever”
就 (jiù) + Verb / 就算了 (jiùsuàn le) / 就是了 (jiùshì le) — concessive indifference他不来就算了。Tā bù lái jiù suàn le.If he doesn't come, fine.多亏 — thanks to
多亏 (duōkuī) + Person / Cause, 才 (cái) + Positive Result多亏你帮忙，我才完成工作。Duōkuī nǐ bāngmáng, wǒ cái wánchéng gōngzuò.Thanks to your help, I finished the work.在…内 — within a time period
在 (zài) + Time Period + 内 (nèi) + Verb请在一周内完成报告。Qǐng zài yī zhōu nèi wánchéng bàogào.Please complete the report within one week.要不是 — if it weren't for
要不是 (yàobushì) + Condition, 就 (jiù) + Result (counterfactual)要不是你帮我，我就完蛋了。Yàobushì nǐ bāng wǒ, wǒ jiù wándàn le.If it weren’t for your help, I would have been finished.而已 — that's all
Clause + 而已 (éryǐ)我只是开玩笑而已。Wǒ zhǐshì kāi wánxiào éryǐ.I was just kidding, that’s all.从中 — from among
从 (cóng) + Plural / Group + 中 (zhōng) + Verb从中吸取教训。Cóng zhōng xīqǔ jiàoxùn.Draw a lesson from it.更不用说 — let alone
⋯⋯，更不用说 (gèng bùyòng shuō)⋯⋯他连饭都吃不上，更不用说买房子了。Tā lián fàn dōu chī bù shàng, gèng bùyòng shuō mǎi fángzi le.He can’t even afford food, let alone buy a house.别说 — let alone
别说 (biéshuō)⋯⋯，就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯别说英文，就是中文他也说不好。Bié shuō Yīngwén, jiùshì Zhōngwén tā yě shuō bù hǎo.Let alone English, he can’t even speak Chinese well.少不了 — can't do without
Subj. + 少不了 (shǎobuliǎo) + Noun / Verb Phrase做蛋糕少不了鸡蛋。Zuò dàngāo shàobuliǎo jīdàn.You can’t make a cake without eggs.不但…甚至连 — not only… even…
不但 (búdàn) + Clause 1, 甚至 (shènzhì) + 连 (lián) + Noun + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + Verb他不但没道歉，甚至连电话都不接。Tā bùdàn méi dàoqiàn, shènzhì lián diànhuà dōu bù jiē.Not only did he not apologize, but he doesn’t even answer the phone.难怪 — no wonder
Reason，怪不得 (guàibude) / 难怪 (nánguài) + Observation难怪他中文这么好，原来在中国住过。Nánguài tā Zhōngwén zhème hǎo, yuánlái zài Zhōngguó zhù guo.No wonder his Chinese is so good; it turns out he lived in China.无可 — no (noun) to (verb)
无可 (wúkě) + Verb / Noun无可奉告。Wúkě fènggào.No comment.宁可 — would rather
宁可 (nìngkě) / 宁愿 (nìngyuàn) + A, 也不 (yě bù) + B我宁可饿死，也不吃这个。Wǒ nìngkě è sǐ, yě bù chī zhège.I would rather starve than eat this.等于 — equal to
A + 等于 (děngyú) + B一公里等于一千米。Yī gōnglǐ děngyú yī qiān mǐ.One kilometer equals one thousand meters.有关的 — related to…
跟 (gēn) / 和 (hé) / 与 (yǔ) + Noun + 有关的 (yǒuguān de) + Noun他找了一些与历史有关的资料。Tā zhǎo le yīxiē yǔ lìshǐ yǒuguān de zīliào.He found some materials related to history.所 — so-called
所谓 (suǒwèi) + Noun Phrase这就是所谓的自由吗？Zhè jiùshì suǒwèi de zìyóu ma?Is this so-called freedom?一面 — simultaneous actions
一面 (yímiàn) + Verb 1, 一面 (yímiàn) + Verb 2他一面吃饭，一面看电视。Tā yīmiàn chīfàn, yīmiàn kàn diànshì.He eats and watches TV at the same time.好 — so that, in order to
Clause 1, 好 (hǎo) + Clause 2 (purpose)请告诉我地址，我好去找你。Qǐng gàosu wǒ dìzhǐ, wǒ hǎo qù zhǎo nǐ.Please tell me the address so that I can find you.或者 — either… or…
或者 (huòzhě) + Option A， 或者 (huòzhě) + Option B或者你去，或者我去，我们得去一个人。Huòzhě nǐ qù, huòzhě wǒ qù, wǒmen děi qù yī gè rén.Either you go, or I go; one of us has to go.把 — advanced uses
Subj. + 把 (bǎ) + Obj. + Verb + Complex Complement他把房间打扫得干干净净。Tā bǎ fángjiān dǎsǎo de gāngānjìngjìng.He cleaned the room spotless.要…就… — if… then…
要 (yào) + Condition, 就 (jiù) + Result你要去就去吧。Nǐ yào qù jiù qù ba.If you want to go, just go.Conditional Statements
Conjunctions
Nouns
当 — when, at the time
当 (dāng) + Time / Event + 的时候 (de shíhou), Main Clause当我回家的时候，天已经黑了。Dāng wǒ huí jiā de shíhòu, tiān yǐjīng hēi le.When I got home, it was already dark.彼此 — each other
彼此 (bǐcǐ) + Verb他们彼此很了解。Tāmen bǐcǐ hěn liǎojiě.They know each other well.以来 — ever since
Time / Event + 以来 (yǐlái)，⋯⋯毕业以来，他一直当老师。Bìyè yǐlái, tā yīzhí dāng lǎoshī.Ever since he graduated, he has been a teacher.当中 — among
Noun / Group + 当中 (dāngzhōng)他们当中，小王最努力。Tāmen dāngzhōng, Xiǎo Wáng zuì nǔlì.Among them, Xiao Wang is the most hardworking.这个 — name-calling with “this”
Noun + 这个 (zhège) + Category你这个骗子！Nǐ zhège piànzi!You liar!Particles
嘛 — marking a topic
Topic + 嘛 (ma), Comment这件事嘛，我觉得不难。Zhè jiàn shì ma, wǒ juéde bù nán.As for this matter, I think it’s not difficult.了 — completed action with complement
Verb + Complement + 了 (le) + (Obj.)他写完了作业。Tā xiě wán le zuòyè.He finished writing the homework.呢 — softening questions
Question Word + 呢 (ne)?你怎么不去呢？Nǐ zěnme bù qù ne?Why aren’t you going?了 — sentence-final after verb + object
Verb + Object + 了 (le)我吃饭了。Wǒ chī fàn le.I have eaten.Prepositional Phrase
Prepositions
包括 — including with 在内
包括 (bāokuò) + X + 在内 (zàinèi), Group + 都 (dōu) + Verb包括我在内，全班同学都参加了比赛。Bāokuò wǒ zàinèi, quán bān tóngxué dōu cānjiā le bǐsài.All students in the class, including me, participated in the competition.对 — for… with 而言
对 (duì) / 对于 (duìyú) + Topic + 而言 (ér yán)对儿童而言，睡眠非常重要。Duì értóng éryán, shuìmián fēicháng zhòngyào.For children, sleep is very important.凭 — on the basis of
凭 (píng) + Noun + Verb你凭什么这么说？Nǐ píng shénme zhème shuō?On what basis do you say that?是 为 好 — for someone's good
Subj. + 是 (shì) + 为 (wèi) + Someone + 好 (hǎo)他是为你好。Tā shì wèi nǐ hǎo.He is doing it for your own good.自从 — ever since
自从 (zìcóng) + Event, Subj. + 就 (jiù) / 一直 (yìzhí) + Verb自从有了孩子，她就没工作过。Zìcóng yǒu le háizi, tā jiù méi gōngzuò guo.Ever since she had a child, she hasn’t worked.至于 — as for, regarding
至于 (zhìyú) + Topic, Main Clause至于价格，我们稍后再谈。Zhìyú jiàgé, wǒmen shāo hòu zài tán.As for the price, we’ll discuss it later.给 — passive voice
Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Agent + Verb (+ 了 (le))我的手机给弟弟摔坏了。Wǒ de shǒujī gěi dìdi shuāi huài le.My phone was broken by my younger brother.就 — only, just
就 (jiù) + Measure Word / Noun (only, just)教室里就三个人。Jiàoshì lǐ jiù sān gè rén.There are only three people in the classroom.对 vs 对于 — to, regarding
对 (duì) + Person + Verb / 对于 (duìyú) + Topic + Verb他对我说谎。 / 对于这个问题，我不清楚。Tā duì wǒ shuōhuǎng. / Duìyú zhège wèntí, wǒ bù qīngchǔ.He lied to me. / Regarding this issue, I’m not clear.对于 vs 至于 — as for, regarding
对于 (duìyú) + Topic (focus) / 至于 (zhìyú) + Topic (transition)对于这个方案，我同意。 / 至于费用，以后再谈。Duìyú zhège fāng'àn, wǒ tóngyì. / Zhìyú fèiyòng, yǐhòu zài tán.Regarding this plan, I agree. / As for the expenses, we’ll discuss later.朝 vs 向 vs 往 — direction prepositions
朝 (cháo) / 向 (xiàng) / 往 (wǎng) + Direction + Verb他朝前走。 / 请向左转。 / 鸟往东飞。Tā cháo qián zǒu. / Qǐng xiàng zuǒ zhuǎn. / Niǎo wǎng dōng fēi.He walks forward. / Please turn left. / The bird flies east.给 vs 为 — for someone's benefit
给 (gěi) + Recipient + Verb (transfer) / 为 (wèi) + Beneficiary + Verb (for the sake of)我给你买了礼物。 / 我为你骄傲。Wǒ gěi nǐ mǎi le lǐwù. / Wǒ wèi nǐ jiāo'ào.I bought you a gift. / I’m proud of you.趁 — while, taking advantage of
趁 (chèn) + Opportunity / Time, Main Clause趁热吃。Chèn rè chī.Eat it while it’s hot.Time Words
以后 vs 之后 — after, later
Event + 以后 (yǐhòu) / Event + 之后 (zhīhòu)毕业以后，我想去中国。 / 毕业之后，他开始工作。Bìyè yǐhòu, wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó. / Bìyè zhīhòu, tā kāishǐ gōngzuò.After graduation, I want to go to China. / After graduation, he started working.平时 vs 平常 — usually vs ordinary
平时 (píngshí): ordinary times / 平常 (píngcháng): usually, ordinary平时我七点起床。 / 他穿着很平常。Píngshí wǒ qī diǎn qǐchuáng. / Tā chuānzhuó hěn píngcháng.Usually I get up at seven. / He dresses very ordinarily.Verb phrases
Verbs
什么 — rhetorical disapproval
Verb + 什么 (shénme) + (Obj.) (rhetorical disapproval)你急什么？Nǐ jí shénme?What are you rushing for?算 — counting as, considering
Subj. + 算 (suàn) + (是 (shì)) + Noun / Adj.这里算不算市中心？Zhèlǐ suàn bù suàn shì zhōngxīn?Does this count as the city center?难怪 — hard to blame
这 (zhè) / 也 (yě) + 难怪 (nánguài) + Person这也难怪他。Zhè yě nánguài tā.It’s hard to blame him for this.化 — making -ize/-ify verbs
Noun / Adj. + 化 (huà) → Verb (to -ize/-ify)我们要实现现代化。 / 公司正在全球化。 / 请简化流程。Wǒmen yào shíxiàn xiàndàihuà. / Gōngsī zhèngzài quánqiúhuà. / Qǐng jiǎnhuà liúchéng.We need to modernize. / The company is becoming globalized. / Please simplify the process.显得 vs 看起来 — looks vs seems
Subj. + 显得 (xiǎnde) + Adj. (shows quality) / Subj. + 看起来 (kànqǐlái) + Adj. (looks)她穿黑色显得很瘦。 / 她看起来很高兴。Tā chuān hēisè xiǎnde hěn shòu. / Tā kàn qǐlái hěn gāoxìng.She looks slimmer in black. / She looks happy.看起来 vs 看来 — seem, look like
看起来 (kànqǐlái) + Adj. (visual impression) / 看来 (kànlái) + Clause (inference)他看起来累了。 / 看来他不会来了。Tā kàn qǐlái lèi le. / Kànlái tā bù huì lái le.He looks tired. / It seems he won’t come.不如 — not as… as
A + 不如 (bùrú) + B + (那么 (nàme) + Adj.)我不如他聪明。Wǒ bùrú tā cōngming.I am not as smart as him.像 — comparing with “like”
A + 像 (xiàng) + B + 一样 (yíyàng) / 这么 (zhème) / 那么 (nàme) + Adj.他像他爸爸一样高。Tā xiàng tā bàba yīyàng gāo.He is as tall as his father.比起 — compared with
比起 (bǐqǐ) + B + (来 (lái)), A + 更 (gèng) / 比较 (bǐjiào) + Adj.比起跑步，我更喜欢游泳。Bǐqǐ pǎobù, wǒ gèng xǐhuan yóuyǒng.Compared to running, I prefer swimming.