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Mandarin learning guides

Basic Mandarin sentence order

Mandarin word order is often more regular than English. Start with the subject, place time before the main action, put the location before the verb, and keep the object after the verb. Once this frame feels familiar, longer sentences become easier to build.

Last reviewed: September 3, 2026

After this guide, you should be able to

The core frame

A useful beginner frame is subject + time + place + verb + object. Not every sentence needs every part, but the order gives you a reliable starting point.

我今天在家学习中文。
Wǒ jīntiān zài jiā xuéxí Zhōngwén. — I am studying Chinese at home today.
他们晚上在餐厅吃饭。
Tāmen wǎnshang zài cāntīng chīfàn. — They eat at a restaurant in the evening.

English can move time phrases around for emphasis. Mandarin allows some flexibility too, but placing a time phrase after the subject is a dependable neutral choice.

是 sentences and action sentences

Use 是 shì to connect a subject with a noun or identity: 我是学生 means “I am a student.” Do not use 是 before an ordinary action or adjective.

  • 她是老师。 She is a teacher.
  • 她喜欢音乐。 She likes music. Not 她是喜欢音乐.
  • 这个很贵。 This is expensive. Not 这个是很贵.

Where to put location phrases

For an action happening in a place, use 在 + place before the verb: 我在北京工作 means “I work in Beijing.” For the location of a person or object, use 在 after the subject: 书在桌子上 means “The book is on the table.”

This distinction prevents a common English-to-Mandarin mistake. The location phrase describes where the action takes place, not an English-style prepositional tail added after the verb.

Build longer sentences one layer at a time

  1. Say the subject and verb: 我学习 — I study.
  2. Add the object: 我学习中文 — I study Chinese.
  3. Add time: 我今天学习中文 — I study Chinese today.
  4. Add place: 我今天在家学习中文 — I study Chinese at home today.

Keeping the sentence frame visible while you speak is more useful than memorizing an English translation. Let the words grow from the frame.

Common learner mistakes

  • Keep a neutral time phrase before the main action: 我今天学习中文, not an English-style order copied word for word.
  • Do not use 是 before an ordinary adjective or action verb. Say 这个很贵 and 她喜欢音乐.
  • For an action, put 在 + place before the verb: 我在家学习. A person or object located somewhere uses a different pattern.

Use this frame when making a real plan: 我明天在家学习中文。 Change one part at a time, such as the day or place, so the structure remains easy to hear and reuse.

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