Common Verbs in Basic Form

Here are some easy Mandarin verbs:

• 吃 (chī) - to eat
• 喝 (hē) - to drink
• 走 (zǒu) - to walk
• 看 (kàn) - to see

Basic Sentence Structure

In Mandarin, the usual order for sentences is:
Subject-Verb-Object.

For example:
我吃苹果。(Wǒ chī píngguǒ.) - I eat an apple.

How to Ask Questions

To make a yes/no question, just add 吗 (ma) at the end:
你吃吗？(Nǐ chī ma?) - Do you eat?

Using Adjectives

In Mandarin, put adjectives after the verb:
我很饿。(Wǒ hěn è.) - I am very hungry.

Counting with Measure Words

When you count, use measure words:
一个苹果 (yī gè píngguǒ) - one apple.

Saying No

To say "no," use 不 (bù) for now and 没 (méi) for the past:
我不吃。(Wǒ bù chī.) - I do not eat.
我没吃。(Wǒ méi chī.) - I did not eat.

Showing Ownership

Use 的 (de) to show something belongs to you:
我的苹果 (Wǒ de píngguǒ) - my apple.

Basic Words for Joining Sentences

Use 和 (hé) to say "and":
我吃和喝。(Wǒ chī hé hē.) - I eat and drink.

Talking About Past and Present

To show the difference, use 了 (le):
我吃了。(Wǒ chī le.) - I ate.
我吃。(Wǒ chī.) - I eat.

Making Polite Requests

To kindly ask for something, use 请 (qǐng):
请给我一个苹果。(Qǐng gěi wǒ yī gè píngguǒ.) - Please give me an apple.