HSK 2 grammar
The 39 grammar points on the HSK 2 syllabus, in the order GraphChinese teaches them. Each one carries the pattern, worked examples with pinyin, and the topics it depends on.
HSK 2 · 39 points
- Adjective Reduplication: AA, AABB 形容词重叠 Reduplicated adjectives add a sense of vividness, completeness, or affection.
- Classifiers: 层、封、件、条、位 and Action Measures 量词 名词量词 — match the noun:
- Comparison with 比: A比B + adj/更/还 比较句 You already know A比B+Adj (他比我高). Now add 更 or 还 before the adjective for 'even more':
- Conjunctions: 或者、不过、但是、而且、如果、虽然、只要 连词 Paired connectors — both halves appear in ONE sentence: - 虽然...但是... = although...(but)... — 虽然 opens the concessive clause, 但是 introduces the contrasting result. - 如果... = if...
- Degree Adverbs: 多、多么、更、十分、特别、挺、有点儿 程度副词 These sit before an adjective or feeling-verb: Subject + Degree Adverb + Adjective.
- Demonstrative Adverbs: 那么、这么、那样、这样 指示代词 These four words modify adjectives or verbs to express degree or manner.
- Directional Complements: 来/去, 上/下/进/出/回 趋向补语 A directional complement follows the verb to show the path of motion.
- Directional Prepositions: 往、向、从 引出方向的介词 These prepositions introduce direction or starting point before the verb.
- Double Object Sentences: 给/送 + person + thing 双宾语句 Some verbs (给, 送, 教, 问, 告诉) take TWO objects in a row: first the PERSON (indirect object), then the THING (direct object) — no preposition needed.
- Fixed Patterns: 越来越, 又…又, 该…了, 还是…吧 固定格式 1. 越来越 + Adj/V — getting more and more… - 天气越来越冷。(The weather is getting colder and colder.)
- Frequency Adverbs: 经常、重新、老是、又 频率副词 These adverbs go before the verb to modify how often or in what manner.
- Experiential Aspect 过: Have Done Before 动态助词过 Pattern: Verb + 过 (+ Object) — states that something has happened at some point in the past; a life experience, not a specific single event.
- Interrogative Pronouns: 多久、为什么、怎么样 疑问代词 Chinese question words stay in-situ — they occupy the same slot as the answer.
- Large Numbers: 千、万、亿 and Approximate Numbers 大数词 | 数字 | 汉字 | 拼音 | |------|------|------| | 1,000 | 千 | qiān | | 10,000 | 万 | wàn | | 100,000,000 | 亿 | yì |
- Modal Verbs: 可能、可以、应该、愿意 能愿动词 All modals sit before the main verb.
- Noun Predicate Sentences: 今天晴天、他中国人 名词谓语句 In Chinese, a noun or noun phrase can be the predicate — no verb needed. Common for: - Time/date: 今天星期三。(Today is Wednesday.) - Age: 我八岁。(I am 8.) - Weather: 今天晴天。(Today is sunny.) - Nationality/origin: 他中国人。(He is Ch…
- Object Prepositions: 对、给、离、为 引出对象的介词 Structure: Subject + preposition + object + verb phrase
- Ordinals and Room/Bus Numbers: 第一、302路 序数表示法 Ordinals use 第 + number: 第一 (first), 第二 (second), 第三 (third).
- Progressive Action: 正在…(呢) — Right Now 进行体 正在 (zhèngzài) + Verb (+呢) emphasizes an action happening right now, more precise than plain 在 + Verb. The sentence-final 呢 is optional but common in speech, adding a sense of 'ongoing-ness'.
- Result Complements: 错/懂/好/完/清楚 结果补语 A result complement sits directly after the verb and tells you the outcome of the action.
- Sentence-final Particles: 啊、吧、的 语气助词 These particles sit at the very end of a sentence and shape its tone, not its core meaning.
- Serial Verb Sentences: Sequential Actions 连动句 When one subject does two actions in a row (often: method/means then goal, or action then purpose), just line the verbs up — NO conjunction needed between them.
- 是…的 Construction: Emphasizing Time, Place, Manner 是⋯⋯的句 Use 是…的 to emphasize WHEN, WHERE, or HOW a past action happened — used when both speakers already know the action happened, and you want to highlight the details.
- Structural Particle 得: State Complement 结构助词得 Pattern: Verb + 得 + (Degree Adverb) + Adjective — describes HOW the action is/was performed.
- Time Adverbs: 刚、还、忽然、一直、已经 时间副词 These adverbs go before the verb (or adjective) they modify.
- Time Clauses: 在…以前/以后, 当…的时候 时间状语 Pattern 1: 在…以前 / 以后 — before/after a point in time - 在吃饭以前，请洗手。(Before eating, please wash your hands.) - 在学校以后，他去了商店。(After school, he went to the store.) - Note: 以前/以后 come AFTER the time reference, not before.
- Verb Reduplication: AA, A一A, ABAB 动词重叠 Reduplicating a verb softens a request or implies trying briefly / casually.
- Continuous State 着: Persistent Action or State 动态助词着 着 (zhe) attaches directly after a verb to show the action or state is ongoing / held in place — not completed, not about to happen.
- Causal Sentences: 因为…所以 因果复句 因为 (yīnwèi, 'because') introduces the reason; 所以 (suǒyǐ, 'so/therefore') introduces the result. Structure: 因为 + Reason，所以 + Result.
- Comparison with 跟: A跟B一样 / A有B那么+adj 比较句 相同 (equal): A + 跟 + B + 一样 (+ Adj) 我跟他一样高。(I'm the same height as him.) 这个跟那个不一样。(This one is different from that one — negate with 不一样.)
- Concessive Compound: 虽然…但是/可是, 不过 转折复句 虽然 (suīrán) introduces a fact; 但是/可是/不过 (dànshì/kěshì/búguò) introduce the contrasting result. Structure: 虽然 + Clause A，但是/可是/不过 + Clause B.
- Conditional Sentences: 如果…就, 只要…就 假设/条件复句 如果 (rúguǒ) states a hypothetical condition; 就 (jiù) introduces the result that follows if the condition is met. Structure: 如果 + Condition，就 + Result.
- Degree Complements: 动词+得+形容词 (runs fast, plays happily) 状态补语 Use 得 (de) after a verb to describe HOW the action is done — its manner or degree.
- Existential Sentences with 着: 桌子上放着书 存现句 Describe what exists in a place using: Place + Verb + 着 + Number + Noun.
- Progressive Compound Sentences: 不但…而且 递进复句 Use 不但…而且… to add a SECOND, stronger point on top of the first — 'not only X, but also Y'.
- Quantity Complements: Action Count and Comparison Degree 数量补语 动量补语 (action-measure complement) — Verb + 了 + Number + 次/遍/下: 我去过中国两次。(I've been to China twice.) 次 = general occurrence.
- Question Methods: 好吗、是不是、吧、呢 ellipsis 提问方法 Chinese has four main question patterns beyond basic 吗:
- Sequential Compound Sentences: 先…再/然后 承接复句 Use 先…再/然后… to show two actions happening IN ORDER — first one thing, then the next.
- Tight Compound: 一…就… (As soon as … then …) 紧缩复句 一…就… links two actions that happen in immediate succession: as soon as the first happens, the second follows right away. Structure: 一 + Verb Phrase A，就 + Verb Phrase B.
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