In Mandarin, it’s really important to know if something has already happened or if it’s still going on. This helps you express yourself more clearly.
Key Grammar Points:
1. Understanding Actions:
- Finished Actions: You can use the word "了" (le) to show that something is done.
- Example: 我吃了 (wǒ chī le) - I ate (it’s finished).
- Actions in Progress: Use "在" (zài) or "正" (zhèng) for things you are doing right now.
- Example: 我正在吃 (wǒ zhèng zài chī) - I am eating (it’s happening now).
2. Learning Modal Verbs:
- 能 (néng): This means you can do something.
- Example: 我能游泳 (wǒ néng yóuyǒng) - I can swim.
- 会 (huì): This means you know how to do something.
- Example: 我会说中文 (wǒ huì shuō zhōngwén) - I can speak Chinese.
- 要 (yào): This means you want or need to do something.
- Example: 我要去商店 (wǒ yào qù shāngdiàn) - I want to go to the store.
3. Using Complements:
- Result Complements: These show what happens after an action.
- Example: 我吃完了 (wǒ chī wán le) - I finished eating.
- Direction Complements: These show where an action takes place.
- Example: 他走进去 (tā zǒu jìn qù) - He walked in.
4. Sentence Structures:
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Topic-Comment Structure: Start with what you want to talk about, then add more details.
- Example: 书, 我看完了 (shū, wǒ kàn wán le) - The book, I finished reading it.
-
Passive Voice (被): This is used when someone does something to the subject.
- Example: 这个问题被我解决了 (zhège wèntí bèi wǒ jiějué le) - This problem was solved by me.
5. Using Conjunctions:
- 如 (rú): This means “for example”.
- Example: 如天气好,我们就去 (rú tiānqì hǎo, wǒmen jiù qù) - If the weather is good, we will go.
- 虽然 (suīrán), 但是 (dànshì): These show different or opposing ideas.
- Example: 虽然天气不好,但是我们还是去 (suīrán tiānqì bù hǎo, dànshì wǒmen háishì qù) - Although the weather isn’t great, we are still going.
By understanding these important points, you’ll get better at using Mandarin verbs and creating sentences.