Key Structures for Lesson 3

1. Time word jīn tiān today; xiàn zài now

Subj+ predicate
subj predicate
Chinese time word must precede the main verb of the sentence. It can be put either at the beginning of the
sentence or between the subject and the main verb.
e.g. I have Chinese class today.
He is (very) busy now.

2. Subj+ adj. Adj used as predicate

Statement: I am (very) busy today.
That teacher is (very) pretty.
Negation: I am not busy today.
That teacher is not pretty.
Question Are you busy today?

The adj phrases and are used as predicates. All Chinese adj can function as verbs. Please note that
there is no that corresponds to “is” or “are” in the English translation.

3. / / /
fixed expression: what are you/he/she busy with?

4. Subj+ / +object.
In this lesson, indicates possession or ownership, “to have.”
Subj Object
Statement yǒu zhōngwénkè
Negation méiyǒu zhōngwénkè
?
Question yǒu zhōngwénkè

zhōngwénkè
yǒuméiyǒu

5. to like
NP like something/somebody
VP like doing something
is an emotion verb which can take a degree modifier such as

Statement
I like Chinese class. I like to drink coffee. I like to drink coffee very much.
Negation
I don’t like Chinese class. I don’t like to drink coffee.
 Question Do you like Chinese class?
Do you like Chinese class or not?

6. question word (why)

pattern1: subj+ predicate
e.g. Why do you like Chinese class?
pattern2: subj predicate
e.g. Why do you like Chinese class?

7. reason result Because…, therefore…

e.g.
Because the Chinese teacher is pretty, I like Chinese class.

8. yǒu kòng have free time

question: Subj+ yǒu kòng +(VP)
Are you free now?
Answer: (subj)+
Yeah, I’m free.
negation: subj+ +(VP)
I don’t have time for coffee now.

9. Subj + +somebody VP to treat; to invite sb to do sth

e.g. I treat you to coffee

10. Subj+ zhǐ, only +VP

I don’t drink black tea, I don’t drink green tea either, I only drink coffee.

11. object1, object2, (object3…) subj+ verb

When the object is plural or has more than one item, the object needs to be moved to the very beginning of
the sentence.
e.g.

12. subj VP to want to do…

When means “to want,” it has to be followed by a verb phrase.
Statement: I want to drink coffee.
Negation: I don’t want to drink coffee.
Question: Do you want to drink coffee?