Basic Word Order
Basic Subject-Verb-Object word order in Chinese
I can form basic SVO sentences
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
我喝水。
I drink water.
他今天学中文。
He studies Chinese today.
我们吃米饭。
We eat rice.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Basic SVO Word Order
Chinese uses Subject + Verb + Object order, just like English. Verbs never change form. Time expressions go before the verb.
Time expressions go BEFORE the verb, not after. Verbs never conjugate.
我喝水。
I drink water.
我 (S) + 喝 (V) + 水 (O) — classic SVO, same as English/German.
他今天学中文。
He studies Chinese today.
Time word 今天 goes BEFORE the verb: 他今天学中文 (not *他学中文今天).
我们吃米饭。
We eat rice.
我们吃米饭 — same verb 吃 for all persons. No conjugation ever!
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises