Chinese Grammar Guide

Chinese grammar has no conjugation and no plurals — but it has its own logic. These guides explain the structures and function words that decide whether your sentence sounds right, one focused topic at a time.

• The Ba Sentence (把字句): Chinese's Way of Saying What You Did to Something

  The ba sentence moves the object before the verb to emphasize handling it: 他把西瓜吃了. Learn the structure, the four rules, which verbs are allowed, and when to use 把 instead of a normal sentence.

• The Bei Passive (被字句): Why Chinese Rarely Uses It

  The bei sentence is Chinese's passive voice — but unlike English, it carries a flavor of misfortune, and Chinese usually expresses passive meaning without it. Learn the structure, the tone, and the topic-based alternative.

• Chinese Measure Words: The Complete Beginner's List and the Rules

  Chinese requires a measure word between numbers and nouns: 三本书, not 三书. Learn the rule, when measure words are NOT needed, a high-frequency list organized by shape and function, and the safe default 个.

• Chinese Separable Verbs (离合词): Why 睡觉 Splits but 学习 Doesn't

  Separable verbs like 睡觉, 结婚 and 帮忙 look like single words but split open to take 了/过, measure words and modifiers: 睡了一个好觉. Learn what can be inserted, a list of common ones, and a one-second test.

• The Three De Particles (的 地 得) and How to Tell Them Apart

  的, 地 and 得 are all pronounced de, but they mark different grammar: 的 before nouns, 地 before verbs, 得 after verbs. Learn the rules, the exceptions, and a quick test for choosing the right one.