HSK 1 grammar
The 22 grammar points on the HSK 1 syllabus, in the order GraphChinese teaches them. Each one carries the pattern, worked examples with pinyin, and the topics it depends on.
HSK 1 · 22 points
- Conjunctions: 和/跟 and Parallel Clauses 连词 和 (hé) and 跟 (gēn) both mean 'and' when connecting nouns or pronouns.
- 的 for Possession and Modification 结构助词 Noun/Pronoun + 的 + Noun = possessive or modifier
- Degree Adverbs: 很/太/非常 程度副词 Degree adverbs come directly before an adjective or stative verb.
- 了: Completion and Change of State 动态助词 了 (le) has two main uses at HSK1:
- Location with 在: Where Things Are 介词在 在 has two main uses as a location word:
- Modal Verbs: 想 and 要 能愿动词 Both 想 and 要 express desire, but with different strength.
- Negation with 不 and 没 否定副词 不 (bù) negates: - Adjectives: 不好、不大、不小 - Habitual/ongoing verbs: 不去、不吃、不学 - Future intentions: 我不去。(I won't go.)
- Scope Adverbs: 都 and 也 范围副词 都 (dōu) = all / both — refers to multiple subjects or items. It always comes before the verb.
- Yes/No Questions with 吗 是非问句 Add 吗 to the end of any statement to form a yes/no question. No word order change needed!
- Adjective Predicate Sentences 形容词谓语句 In Chinese, adjectives can directly serve as predicates — no linking verb 'is/are' needed.
- Affirmative-Negative Questions 正反问句 In Chinese, you can form a yes/no question by repeating a verb in its positive and negative forms side by side. This is called the A-not-A pattern. No 吗 is needed.
- Choice Questions with 还是 选择问句 A 还是 B? = "Is it A or is it B?" — forces a choice between two options.
- Comparison Sentences with 比 and 没有 比较句 Pattern 1: A 比 B + Adjective Means: A is more [adjective] than B.
- Direction Words as Localizers 方位名词作补语 In Chinese, a direction word (方位词) is placed after a place noun to form a location phrase.
- Modal Verbs: 会 and 能 能愿动词 Both 会 and 能 translate as "can", but they differ in meaning.
- Number-Measure Phrases 数量短语 In Chinese, you cannot put a number directly before a noun. You need a measure word (量词) between them.
- Progressive Aspect: 在/正在 ... 呢 进行态 Use 在 or 正在 before a verb to express an ongoing action — "is/are doing."
- Reading Prices and Clock Times 钱数与时刻表达法 Prices (钱数): - 元/块 (yuán/kuài) = yuan (1 yuan) - 毛/角 (máo/jiǎo) = jiao (0.1 yuan) - 分 (fēn) = fen (0.01 yuan) - Example: 3.50元 → 三块五 (spoken) or 三元五角 (formal)
- The 是-Sentence: Identity and Classification 是字句 Structure: Subject + 是 + Noun/Noun Phrase - 我是学生。= I am a student. - 她是医生。= She is a doctor.
- Wh-Questions: 什么/谁/哪/怎么 特指问句 In Chinese, question words stay in the same position as the answer — no inversion!
- The 有-Sentence: Possession and Existence 有字句 有 (yǒu) has two uses:
- Time Expressions as Adverbials 时间词作状语 In Chinese, time words come before the verb (not after as in English).
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