Using measure words in Mandarin is super important to make sure we understand each other clearly. Let’s break it down with an easy guide.

1. Basic Sentence Structure

In Mandarin, we follow a simple order: Subject-Verb-Object (SVO).

• For example: 我 (Wǒ) 吃 (chī) 苹果 (píngguǒ).
• This means "I eat an apple."

2. Using Measure Words

Measure words help us count things.

• 一个 (yí gè) 苹果 (píngguǒ) means "an apple."
• 两条 (liǎng tiáo) 鱼 (yú) means "two fish."

3. Role of Particles

Particles are tiny words that add extra meaning.

• 的 (de) shows ownership: 我的 (wǒ de) means "my."
• 吗 (ma) turns a statement into a yes/no question: 你好吗？(Nǐ hǎo ma?) means "Are you good?"
• 吧 (ba) suggests something: 我们去吧 (Wǒmen qù ba) means "Let’s go."

4. Saying No

To say no or indicate something hasn’t happened, we use:

• 不 (bù): 我不喜欢 (Wǒ bù xǐhuān) means "I don’t like."
• 没（有）(méi(yǒu)): 我没有钱 (Wǒ méi yǒu qián) means "I don’t have money."

5. Location vs. Completed Actions

To talk about where something is or if something is done, we use:

• 在 (zài): 我在学校 (Wǒ zài xuéxiào) means "I am at school."
• 了 (le): 我吃了 (Wǒ chī le) means "I have eaten."

6. Asking Simple Questions

Here are some question words to remember:

• 什么 (shénme) means "what": 你要什么？(Nǐ yào shénme?) means "What do you want?"
• 谁 (shéi) means "who": 谁在这里？(Shéi zài zhèlǐ?) means "Who is here?"

7. Connecting Sentences

To join sentences, we can use:

• 和 (hé): 我和你 (Wǒ hé nǐ) means "I and you."
• 但是 (dànshì): 我喜欢这个，但是这个更好 (Wǒ xǐhuān zhège, dànshì zhège gèng hǎo) means "I like this, but this is better."

8. Learning Pronouns

Here are some important pronouns:

• 我 (wǒ) — I
• 你 (nǐ) — you
• 他 (tā) — he
• 她 (tā) — she

9. Changing Sentences

To turn a positive sentence into a negative one:

• Positive: 我喜欢 (Wǒ xǐhuān) means "I like."
• Negative: 我不喜欢 (Wǒ bù xǐhuān) means "I don’t like."

To ask a question:

• Statement: 你来了 (Nǐ lái le) means "You have come."
• Question: 你来了吗？(Nǐ lái le ma?) means "Have you come?"

By learning these rules, you can use measure words and make sentences correctly in Mandarin!