HSK 1

副词、形容词作状语;表示时间、处所的词语作状语

fù cí 、 xíng róng cí zuò zhuàng yǔ ; biǎo shì shí jiān 、 chù suǒ de cí yǔ zuò zhuàng yǔ

Adverbials: adverbs/adjectives and words of time and place

Explanation

The adverbial (状语 - a component modifying a verb or adjective, making clear how, when, or where the action happens) in Chinese comes BEFORE the verb/adjective it modifies.

Structure

Subject (the person or thing performing the action, at the start of the sentence) + [Adverbial] + Verb/Adjective. Types of words that serve as adverbials: - Adverbs (a word modifying a verb or adjective): 不 (bù - not) indicating negation, 非常 (fēicháng - extremely) indicating degree. - Adjectives: 认真 (rènzhēn - seriously) describing the manner of an action. - Time words: 十点 (ten o'clock), 下午 (afternoon) making clear when. - Words/phrases of place or origin: 在网上 (online), 从北京 (from Beijing).

When to use

When you need to add information about time, place, degree, manner, or negation to an action.

Common mistakes

Placing the adverbial AFTER the verb in the Vietnamese way (wrong: 他睡觉十点; 她买了两本书在网上). Correctly, adverbials of time and place must come BEFORE the verb. The common order: Subject + time + place + verb.

Examples

他不吃包子。
chībāozi

He does not eat baozi (steamed buns).

这个房间非常干净。
zhègefángjiānfēichánggānjìng

This room is extremely clean.

你认真写!
rènzhēnxiě

Write it seriously/carefully!

他十点睡觉。
shídiǎnshuìjiào

He goes to bed at ten o'clock.

我们下午去吧。
menxiàba

Let's go in the afternoon.

她在网上买了两本书。
zàiwǎngshàngmǎileliǎngběnshū

She bought two books online.

哥哥从北京回来了。
gecóngběijīnghuíláile

My older brother has come back from Beijing.

Practice

Test your understanding with a quick quiz

Learn “副词、形容词作状语;表示时间、处所的词语作状语” effectively

The grammar point “副词、形容词作状语;表示时间、处所的词语作状语” (Adverbials: adverbs/adjectives and words of time and place) is one of the key structures at HSK 1. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.

Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.

You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.

Frequently asked questions