HSK 5

多项状语

duō xiàng zhuàng yǔ

Multiple adverbials (多项状语)

Explanation

多项状语 (duōxiàng zhuàngyǔ) means "multiple adverbials" — a sentence has several adverbials (elements indicating time, place, manner) all modifying one verb, and they must be arranged in the correct order.

Structure

Subject + [time] + [purpose 为了...] + [place 在...] + [scope/adverb 都/也] + [manner ...地] + [object 对/给...] + verb. The common order: time → purpose → place → scope → manner → verb.

When to use

When you need to express fully many pieces of information around an action (when, where, for what purpose, how). The manner adverbial (认真地 = attentively) stands closest, right before the verb.

Common mistakes

Vietnamese learners often place time after the verb following Vietnamese habit (wrong: 他写完了作业昨天); in Chinese, time and place must come before the verb. The place adverbial 在教室里 comes before the main verb, not at the end of the sentence. Manner adverbials usually need 地 (认真地写).

Examples

他昨天在教室里认真地写完了作业。
zuótiānzàijiàoshìrènzhēndexiěwánlezuò

Yesterday he attentively finished his homework in the classroom.

她为了通过考试昨天在家复习了一整天。
wèiletōngguòkǎoshìzuótiānzàijiālezhěngtiān

In order to pass the exam, yesterday she reviewed at home for the whole day.

我前天在路上意外地碰见了多年没见的老朋友。
qiántiānzàishangwàidepèngjiànleduōniánméijiàndelǎopéngyou

The day before yesterday I unexpectedly ran into an old friend on the road whom I hadn't seen for many years.

我们下午在教室里都非常认真地对昨天的报告进行了讨论。
menxiàzàijiàoshìdōufēichángrènzhēndeduìzuótiāndebàogàojìnxíngletǎolùn

This afternoon we all very attentively held a discussion of yesterday's report in the classroom.

Practice

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Learn “多项状语” effectively

The grammar point “多项状语” (Multiple adverbials (多项状语)) is one of the key structures at HSK 5. 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.

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