The confusable pairs
Exams are built out of these. If you can explain each row, you're in good shape.
| Pair | The difference | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 几 / 多少 | 几 jǐ = under 10, needs a measure word. 多少 duōshao = any number, measure word optional. |
你有几个朋友？ 你们学校有多少学生？ |
| 什么 / 怎么 | 什么 shénme = what (replaces a noun). 怎么 zěnme = how (modifies a verb). |
你写什么？ 这个字怎么写？ |
| 个 / 口 | 个 gè = the general measure word. 口 kǒu = members of a household only. |
三个人（generally） 我家有三口人 |
| 不 / 没 | 不 bù negates almost everything. 没 méi is required for 有. |
我不是学生。 我没有书。（不有 ✗） |
| 哪 / 那 | 哪 nǎ = which (a question). 那 nà = that (a statement). |
你是哪国人？ 那是我的书。 |
| 买 / 卖 | 买 mǎi (3rd tone) = to buy. 卖 mài (4th tone) = to sell. |
我想买杯子。 |
| 会 / 想 | 会 huì = can, a learned ability. 想 xiǎng = want to, a wish. |
我会说汉语。 我想喝茶。 |
| 叫 / 是 | 叫 jiào introduces a name. 是 shì links two nouns. |
我叫李月。 我是老师。 |
Sentence skeletons
Word order is the single most important thing in Chinese grammar.
Subject + Time + Place + Verb + Object
The universal order. Time and place come before the verb,
never after it — the opposite of English.
我 明天 去学校 看书。
Wǒ míngtiān qù xuéxiào kàn shū.
waw ming-tyen chyew shweh-shyaow kahn shoo
Tomorrow I'll go to school to read.
我 明天 去学校 看书。
Wǒ míngtiān qù xuéxiào kàn shū.
waw ming-tyen chyew shweh-shyaow kahn shoo
Tomorrow I'll go to school to read.
The four ways to ask a question
1 · Particle 吗
Add 吗 to any statement. Word order never changes.
你是学生吗？
2 · Question word
什么 / 谁 / 哪 / 几 / 多少 / 怎么 sit exactly where the answer would.
你叫什么名字？
3 · Particle 呢
Bounce the same question back.
我很好，你呢？
4 · Affirmative-negative
Verb + 不 + Verb.
你是不是学生？
⚠ Never combine 吗 with a question word
- 你叫什么名字吗？ — 什么 already makes it a question. Drop the 吗.