Noun Predicate Sentences: 今天晴天、他中国人
A noun predicate sentence uses a noun or number phrase as the predicate with no 是. It is common for dates, times, ages and origins, as in 今天星期三 and 他中国人.
Structure: Subject + Noun Phrase
⚠️ Only used in present tense for these fixed categories. For past/future or emphasis, use 是.
❌ 他美国人了。(Use 是 for change of state)
✅ 他是美国人。(general statement needing 是)
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 今天星期五。 | Jīn tiān xīng qī wǔ. | Today is Friday. | Day of week as noun predicate — no verb needed |
| 我妈妈四十岁。 | Wǒ māma sì shí suì. | My mom is forty years old. | Age with 岁 as noun predicate |
| 今天晴天，明天下雨。 | Jīn tiān qíng tiān, míng tiān xià yǔ. | Today is sunny; tomorrow it will rain. | Weather noun predicate; contrast present noun predicate vs. verbal predicate |
What you need first
Every topic in GraphChinese names its own prerequisites, and these are the grammar points this one is built on. If a sentence here will not parse, one of them is why.
Questions about Noun Predicate Sentences
What does 名词谓语句 (Noun Predicate Sentences) mean in Chinese?
A noun predicate sentence uses a noun or number phrase as the predicate with no 是. It is common for dates, times, ages and origins, as in 今天星期三 and 他中国人. It is an HSK 2 grammar point.
How do you use 名词谓语句 (Noun Predicate Sentences) in a sentence?
今天星期五。 — Jīn tiān xīng qī wǔ. — Today is Friday. Day of week as noun predicate — no verb needed.
What do you need to know before 名词谓语句 (Noun Predicate Sentences)?
The 是-Sentence (HSK 1). This pattern is built out of them, so a sentence here that will not parse usually means one of them has not landed yet.
Can I leave out 是 in Chinese?
Yes, but only with time, dates, age, price and amount, as in 今天星期六 and 他二十岁。 For identity keep 是: 我是学生。 In casual speech people also say 他北京人。
How do I make a noun predicate negative?
Bring 是 back and add 不: 今天不是星期六。 Without 是 there is nothing to negate, so 今天不星期六 is wrong.
Noun Predicate Sentences is one topic of 829. GraphChinese teaches them in prerequisite order, so this pattern reaches you on the day everything it rests on is proven. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
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