Mandarin grammar can be challenging for anyone learning the language. In some ways it is simpler than the grammar of European languages because there are no subject / verb agreements to worry about. However, the word order of sentences is quite different from what most Westerners are used to. Regular practice will ingrain these sentence patterns and help you master Mandarin grammar.
Mandarin Chinese question adverbs are used to ask the “wh” questions – why, where, when, which, who, and how.
Parts of a Mandarin Chinese sentence can be emphasized using the shi .. de construction. Emphasis is placed on the phrase or word following shi, and de is placed at the end of the sentence.
Approximate numbers are used in both conversation and writing when we don’t know or don’t need to specify the exact number or quantity of something. In Mandarin Chinese, approximate numbers are indicated with the particle “duo.”
Mandarin Chinese Measure Words
Mandarin Chinese uses measure words for every noun. These measure words must be used when ever the noun is used with a numeral. There are more than 100 measure words, and the only sure way to learn them is through memorization.
Mandarin Chinese adjectives follow the noun they describe. Learn how to use Mandarin Chinese adjectives in positive sentences, negative sentences, and questions.
Mandarin Chinese does not have a single word which means “no.” Instead, a negative sentence is created by placing the particle “bu” before the verb.
Mandarin has a different sentence structure than English or other European languages. To master Mandarin sentence structure you must learn to think in Mandarin.
There are just a few pronouns in Mandarin Chinese, and unlike many European languages there are no subject / verb agreements to worry about. Just a few simple rules tell you everything you need to know about Mandarin pronouns.
There are two different ways to make questions in Mandarin, and a mastery of each method is essential for gaining fluency in this language.
Filed In: Grammar> Particles
Mandarin Particles
Mandarin particles are used for a variety of grammatical functions including showing aspect, time indications, and completion of actions.
Mandarin verbs do not conjugate depending on tense, but there are other ways to express time in Mandarin. The le particle is used to indicate actions which have been completed.
The DE particle is most often used as a possessive modifier, but it can also be used with adjectives and for emphasis.
The Mandarin Chinese DE particle is used as an adverbial marker which converts stative verbs into adverbs.
The potential complement DE is used in Mandarin Chinese to show the outcome of actions. Learn how to use the potential complement DE with this lesson and examples.
The “Le” Particle
Expressing Completed Actions in Mandarin
Although Mandarin does not have verb conjugations as in many other languages, there are ways to express completed actions as well as events which occur in the past or future.
The easiest way to do this is to indicate a time frame for the action being discussed, as in the sentence “Tā zuótiān qù Táiběi.” 他昨天去台北｡ This would simply mean that he went to Taipei yesterday.
However, if he had an obligation to go to Taipei, and he fulfilled that obligation yesterday, you could use “le” – “Tā zuótiān qù Táiběi le.” 他昨天去台北了｡
The “le” Particle
If you wish to express the idea that an action occurred in the past and is finished, you can use the “le” 了particle in combination with a functive verb (an action verb).
“Le” is used after the functive verb, either directly after the verb or at the end of the sentence. It is not needed if the context of the conversation makes the meaning clear.
“Le” cannot be used with certain functive verbs such as “rènshi” 認識 (be aquainted with); “ài” 愛 (to love); or “xiǎng” 想 (to think) because these actions can never be considered finished.
Examples
He has already eaten.
Chén xiǎojie jīntiān mǎi dōngxī le.
Miss Chen already bought some things today.
I bought the book this morning.
The Mandarin DE Particle
Possessives, Adjectives, & Emphasis
”
The Mandarin Chinese particle de (的) is most commonly used as a possessive modifier. It can be used between two nouns to indicate a relationship of possessor / possession.
For example:
Wǒ de péngyou.
My friend.
我的朋友｡
Notice that de is used after the first (pro)noun. This gives us the following possessive pronouns:
Mine – wǒ de
Yours – nǐ de
His – tā de
Hers – tā de
Theirs – tāmen de
Ours – wǒmen de
The de particle can be used for any possessive noun or pronoun, such as “Miss Chen’s pen” (Chén xiǎojie de bǐ), or “American schools” (Měiguó de xuéxiào).
Descriptors
The de particle can also used in describing objects or people. “Big chair” is dà de yǐzi. In this usage de follows the adjective.
Examples:
lánsè de yīfu
blue clothing
藍色的衣服
yìdàlì de chē zǐ
Italian car
意大利的車子
Emphasis
The de particle is sometimes used for emphasis or affirmation.
Wǒ huì qù de!
I am going!
我會去的!
Shàngkè, yào zhuānxīn de.
When you are in class, you have to concentrate.
上課, 要專心的｡
