To use the Mandarin pronouns 我 (wǒ), 你 (nǐ), 他 (tā), and 她 (tā) correctly in sentences, it’s important to remember some basic grammar rules.

1. Word Order in Simple Sentences

In Mandarin, the usual order of words in a sentence is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). Here’s how the pronouns fit in:

• Example: 我吃苹果 (wǒ chī píngguǒ) – I eat an apple.
  • Subject: 我 (I)
  • Verb: 吃 (eat)
  • Object: 苹果 (apple)

2. Measure Words

In Mandarin, nouns often need a special word, called a measure word, before them. The measure word depends on the noun.

• Example: 我有一个朋友 (wǒ yǒu yí gè péngyǒu) – I have a friend.
  • Measure word: 个 (gè) is used for counting people.

3. Particles

Particles like 的 (de), 吗 (ma), and 吧 (ba) help make sentences clearer:

• Example: 你好吗？(nǐ hǎo ma?) – How are you?
  • Here, 吗 shows it’s a question.

4. Saying No with 不 and 没（有）

• 不 (bù) is used to say no in the present or future.

• 没（有） (méi yǒu) means that something isn't there or that an action is finished.

• Examples:

  • 我不吃肉 (wǒ bù chī ròu) – I don’t eat meat.
  • 我没有钱 (wǒ méiyǒu qián) – I don’t have money.

5. Location vs. Completed Action

Use 在 (zài) for things happening now or for locations, and 了 (le) for things that have already happened.

• Examples:
  • 他在家 (tā zài jiā) – He is at home. (location)
  • 她去了商店 (tā qù le shāngdiàn) – She went to the store. (completed action)

6. Simple Verb Tenses

Mandarin doesn’t change verbs like English does. Instead, the meaning comes from the context.

• Present: 我吃 (wǒ chī) – I eat.
• Past: 我吃了 (wǒ chī le) – I ate.
• Future: 我会吃 (wǒ huì chī) – I will eat.

7. Asking Questions

You can make questions by using question words or the particle 吗.

• Example: 谁是你的朋友？(shéi shì nǐ de péngyǒu?) – Who is your friend?

8. Simple Connectors

You can connect sentences using words like 和 (hé) for ‘and’ and 但是 (dànshì) for ‘but’.

• Example: 我喜欢茶和咖啡 (wǒ xǐhuān chá hé kāfēi) – I like tea and coffee.

9. Changing Statements

It's easy to change sentences from being positive to negative or to a question.

• Affirmative: 他是老师 (tā shì lǎoshī) – He is a teacher.
• Negative: 他不是老师 (tā bù shì lǎoshī) – He is not a teacher.
• Question: 他是不是老师？(tā shì bù shì lǎoshī?) – Is he a teacher?

By understanding these pronouns and grammar rules, you can make clear and correct sentences in Mandarin!