HSK 4 Chinese grammar
3.096 grammar rules of the new HSK standard at this level, with structures, examples and an interactive exercise for every rule.
"But" Statements
"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.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.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.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.Conjunctions
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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.非 — absolute must, “have to”
非 (fēi) + Verb / Noun + 不可 (bùkě)我非去不可。Wǒ fēi qù bùkě.I absolutely have to go.由 — who decides
由 (yóu) + Person + 做主 (zuòzhǔ)这件事由你来做主。Zhè jiàn shì yóu nǐ lái zuòzhǔ.This matter is up to you to decide.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.全 — whole, entire
全 (quán) + Measure Word + Noun全家人都同意这个计划。Quán jiā rén dōu tóngyì zhège jìhuà.The whole family agrees with this plan.死了 — negative adjectives with “-死了”
Adj. + 死了 (sǐle)这几天热死了！Zhè jǐ tiān rè sǐ le!It’s been awfully hot these days!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.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.作为 — in a role, as
作为 (zuòwéi) + Role Noun, Subject + Verb作为老师，他非常认真。Zuòwéi lǎoshī, tā fēicháng rènzhēn.As a teacher, he's very serious.Adverbs
互相 — each other
互相 (hùxiāng) + Verb Phrase他们互相帮助。Tāmen hùxiāng bāngzhù.They help each other.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.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.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.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.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?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?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.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.竟然 — unexpectedly
Subj. + 竟然 (jìngrán) + Verb / Adj.他竟然迟到了。Tā jìngrán chídào le.He, surprisingly, was late.不得不 vs 只好 — no choice vs reluctant
不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb (no choice, compelled) / 只好 (zhǐhǎo) + Verb (reluctant but accepting)我不得不拒绝。 / 没车，只好走路。Wǒ bùdébù jùjué. / Méi chē, zhǐhǎo zǒulù.I have no choice but to refuse. / There’s no car, so we have to walk.故意 — deliberately, on purpose
Subj. + 故意 (gùyì) + Verb他故意迟到了。Tā gùyì chídào le.He was late on purpose.确实 — really, indeed
Subj. + 确实 (quèshí) + Predicate / 确实 (quèshí), + Clause他确实很忙，今天连午饭都没吃。Tā quèshí hěn máng, jīntiān lián wǔfàn dōu méi chī.He really is very busy — today he didn’t even eat lunch.也许 — perhaps, maybe
也许 (yěxǔ) + Subject + Predicate / Subject + 也许 (yěxǔ) + Predicate也许他今天不来了。Yěxǔ tā jīntiān bù lái le.Perhaps he won’t come today.尤其 — especially
尤其 (yóuqí) + (是 (shì)) + Highlighted item我喜欢运动，尤其是游泳。Wǒ xǐhuan yùndòng, yóuqí shì yóuyǒng.I like sports, especially swimming.就是 — emphasis with “just”
就是 (jiùshì) + Verb我就是喜欢他。Wǒ jiùshì xǐhuan tā.I just like him.偶尔 — occasionally
Subj. + 偶尔 (ǒu'ěr) + Verb我偶尔去那家书店看看。Wǒ ǒu'ěr qù nà jiā shūdiàn kànkan.I occasionally go to that bookstore to have a look.至少 — at least
至少 (zhìshǎo) + Number / Noun / Clause从这儿到车站至少要走二十分钟。Cóng zhèr dào chēzhàn zhìshǎo yào zǒu èrshí fēnzhōng.From here to the station it takes at least twenty minutes to walk.说不定 — maybe, perhaps
Subj. + 说不定 (shuōbudìng) + Verb / Adj.他今天没来，说不定生病了。Tā jīntiān méi lái, shuōbudìng shēngbìng le.He didn't come today; maybe he's sick.按时 — on time
Subj. + 按时 (ànshí) + Verb我们每天按时上课。Wǒmen měitiān ànshí shàng kè.We start class on time every day.赶紧 vs 赶快 — hurry up
Subj. + 赶紧 (gǎnjǐn) / 赶快 (gǎnkuài) + Verb快下雨了，我们赶紧回家吧。Kuài xià yǔ le, wǒmen gǎnjǐn huí jiā ba.It’s about to rain, let’s hurry home.忽然 — suddenly
Subject + 忽然 (hūrán) + Verb / Adj. + (了 (le)) / 忽然 (hūrán) + Clause我们正在吃饭，忽然下起了大雨。Wǒmen zhèngzài chī fàn, hūrán xià qǐ le dà yǔ.We were just eating when it suddenly started raining heavily.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.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.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.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.Particles
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?之 — possessive “of”
Noun A + 之 (zhī) + Noun B (classical possessive)父母之爱很伟大。Fùmǔ zhī ài hěn wěidà.Parental love is great.者 — person who does
Stem + 者 (zhě) → Name of a person这本书的读者很多。Zhè běn shū de dúzhě hěn duō.This book has many readers.Auxiliary Words
Basic/Simple Sentence Patterns
Noun Phrases
Numbers
Nouns
Sentence Patterns
不是 — not A, but B
Subj. + 不是 (bú shì) + A + 而是 (ér shì) + B他不是老师，而是医生。Tā bú shì lǎoshī, ér shì yīshēng.He's not a teacher, but a doctor.选 — choosing someone for a role
Subject + 选 (xuǎn) + Person + 当 (dāng) + Role / Subject + 收 (shōu) + Person + 做 (zuò) / 为 (wéi) + Role大家选他当班长。Dàjiā xuǎn tā dāng bānzhǎng.Everyone elected him class monitor.表扬 vs 批评 — praise vs criticize
Subject + 表扬 (biǎoyáng) / 批评 (pīpíng) + Person + Their action or behavior老师表扬他学习努力。Lǎoshī biǎoyáng tā xuéxí nǔlì.The teacher praised him for studying hard.Discourse Patterns
Fixed Expressions
够 — “so… / really…” with 的
够 (gòu) + Adj. + 的 (de)今天够冷的，我们别出门了。Jīntiān gòu lěng de, wǒmen bié chūmén le.Boy, it's cold today — let's not go out.来得及 / 来不及 — having enough time
来得及 (láidejí) / 来不及 (láibují) + Verb别着急，我们来得及。Bié zháojí, wǒmen láidejí.Don't worry, we have enough time.拿 — take as an example
拿 (ná) + Noun + 来说 (lái shuō), ...我们班同学都很努力，拿小王来说，他每天都学习到很晚。Wǒmen bān tóngxué dōu hěn nǔlì, ná Xiǎo Wáng lái shuō, tā měitiān dōu xuéxí dào hěn wǎn.Everyone in our class works hard; take Xiao Wang, for example — he studies until late every day.是 — X is X, Y is Y
X + 是 (shì) + X，Y + 是 (shì) + Y朋友是朋友，生意是生意。Péngyou shì péngyou, shēngyi shì shēngyi.Friendship is one thing, business another.有什么 — no point in doing it
有什么 (yǒu shénme) + 好 (hǎo) + Verb + 的 (de) / 没什么 (méi shénme) + 好 (hǎo) + Verb + 的 (de)这件事没什么好担心的。Zhè jiàn shì méi shénme hǎo dānxīn de.There is nothing to worry about in this matter.怎么 — no matter how hard one tries
怎么 (zěnme) + (Verb) + 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě) + Negative result这个字我怎么写都写不好。Zhège zì wǒ zěnme xiě dōu xiě bu hǎo.No matter how I try, I just can't write this character well.还 — challenging a claim
还 (hái) + X + 呢 (ne)你还老师呢，连这个字都不认识。Nǐ hái lǎoshī ne, lián zhège zì dōu bú rènshi.And you call yourself a teacher — you don't even know this character.你 — go ahead and do it: 你X你的吧
你 (nǐ) + Verb + 你的 (nǐ de) + 吧 (ba)你玩你的吧，我先走了。Nǐ wán nǐ de ba, wǒ xiān zǒu le.You go ahead and play; I'm leaving.让/叫 — do as you are told
让 (ràng) / 叫 (jiào) + you + Verb + 你 (nǐ) + 就 (jiù) + Verb让你休息你就休息。Ràng nǐ xiūxi nǐ jiù xiūxi.If you're told to rest, then rest.说什么 — must do no matter what
说什么 (shuō shénme) / 怎么着 (zěnmezhe) + 也得 (yě děi) + Verb明天说什么也得去医院看看。Míngtiān shuō shénme yě děi qù yīyuàn kànkan.Tomorrow, no matter what, I still have to go to the hospital.一 — every little bit counts
Verb + 一 (yī) + X + 是 (shì) + 一 (yī) + X钱不多，存一点儿是一点儿。Qián bù duō, cún yìdiǎnr shì yìdiǎnr.There isn't much money, but saving even a little counts.无 — paired absence “no A no B”
无 (wú) + A + 无 (wú) + B他无依无靠。Tā wúyī-wúkào.He has no one to turn to.就 — accepting a situation
X + 就 (jiù) + X + (点儿 (diǎnr)) + 吧 (ba)贵就贵点儿吧，我买。Guì jiù guì diǎnr ba, wǒ mǎi.So it's a bit pricey — fine, I'll take it.也得 — no choice, must do
Verb + 也得 (yě děi) + Verb + ，不 (bù) + Verb + 也得 (yě děi) + Verb今天下雨，去也得去，不去也得去。Jīntiān xià yǔ, qù yě děi qù, bú qù yě děi qù.It’s raining today, but whether you like it or not, you have to go.一 — paired expressions 一A一B
一 (yī) + A + 一 (yī) + B他一心一意地学习汉语。Tā yìxīn-yíyì de xuéxí Hànyǔ.He devotes himself wholeheartedly to learning Chinese.有 — paired qualities or actions
有 (yǒu) + A + 有 (yǒu) + B他们一边走一边有说有笑。Tāmen yìbiān zǒu yìbiān yǒu shuō yǒu xiào.They walked along, talking and laughing.Pronouns
各 — each, every, different kinds
各 (gè) + Noun / 各位 (gèwèi) + Noun / 各种 (gèzhǒng) + Noun各位同学，请认真听。Gèwèi tóngxué, qǐng rènzhēn tīng.Dear students, please listen carefully.此 — formal “this”
此 (cǐ) + Noun此事很重要，请大家注意。Cǐ shì hěn zhòngyào, qǐng dàjiā zhùyì.This matter is very important; please everyone pay attention.Comparison Patterns
Verb phrases
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.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.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.