Chinese for Beginners:
Chinese Grammar Basics
Grammar plays the key role in bringing Chinese characters together. In compensation, Chinese grammar is considerably easier than English. Here are just some examples of difference between Chinese and English for your reference.
1. As there are no singular and plural in Chinese, subject-verb agreement doesn't exist.
| English | I am a student. | We are students. |
| Chinese | 我 是 学生。 | 我们 是 学生。 |
» Tip
Chinese personal pronouns are pluralized by adding the suffix 们.
For example, 我 = I, 我们 = we
2. Chinese verbs do not express time, but simply action, so Chinese has no verb tenses.
| English | I am learning Chinese. | I learn Chinese. |
| Chinese | 我 学 中文。 | 我 学 中文。 |
Notice that there is no difference between "I learn Chinese" and "I am learning Chinese" in Chinese. Then how to let others know whether the thing has happened or not? In Chinese, Adverbs are frequently used to take the place of verb tense.
| 明天 | Tomorrow | To show the thing has not happened yet |
| 昨天 | Yesterday | To show the thing has happened already |
| 现在 | Right now | To show the thing is happening |
3. Chinese has no Genitive case, character 的 is used to indicate possession.
| English | This is my pen. | Nancy’s friend is very smart. |
| Chinese | 这 是 我的 笔。 | 南希的 朋友 很聪明。 |
Ok, here above are just three simple examples. You will encounter much more on your way of learning Chinese.