The fastest way to learn word order is to build sentences.
Practise sentence structure →Arrange word tiles into correct sentences
Chinese sentence structure: the basic order
The standard pattern is subject + verb + object: 我 (I) 看 (see) 电影 (a film). Adjectives come before nouns, and a verb never changes its form.
Where time and place go in Mandarin sentence structure
Mandarin sentence structure puts time before the verb, usually right after the subject or at the start: 我明天去北京 (I am going to Beijing tomorrow). Place phrases also come before the verb: 我在家学习 (I study at home).
The rule of thumb is: who, when, where, what you do.
Questions and negatives
Add 吗 to the end for a yes/no question, or use a question word in the place of the answer: 你去哪儿？ Negatives put 不 or 没 before the verb: 我不喝咖啡, 我没有钱.
Longer sentences
At higher levels, patterns such as 把 (moving an object before the verb) and 被 (passive) give longer sentences a special order. Learn them with examples and practise them until the order feels natural.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chinese word order the same as English?
Basic sentences are similar (subject, verb, object), but time and place come before the verb.
How do I practise Chinese sentence structure?
Build sentences in the sentence game, then say them aloud and write your own with the same pattern.
Ready to practise?
Arrange word tiles into correct sentences
Practise sentence structure →Explore HSK vocabulary, practise with Chinese exercises, or take a NewHSK Mock Exam.