01
是 joins nouns
他是我朋友。
He's my friend.
Adjectives skip 是: 我很累 — I'm tired. Never 我是累.
Grammar · noticed, not studied
Twelve patterns that carry beginner Chinese
Don't study these from a book. Spot them in your phrases, and ask your tutor to drill one per lesson in weeks 2–5 — your day's checklist says which. For explanations, the Chinese Grammar Wiki (A1–A2) is the best free reference.
02
吗 makes a yes/no question
你是老师吗？
Are you a teacher?
Add it to any statement. Word order doesn't change.
03
Question words stay put
你去哪儿？
Where are you going?
The question word sits where the answer goes: 我去超市 — I'm going to the supermarket.
04
Verb-不-verb questions
你要不要？
Do you want it?
Same with 有: 有没有水？ — Is there any water?
05
Time, place, then action
我明天在家工作。
Tomorrow I'm working from home.
When and where come before the verb, never after.
06
很 and 太…了
太贵了！
Too expensive!
很 + adjective is the neutral form: 很好, 很远.
07
想 · 要 · 会 · 能 · 可以 + verb
可以用微信吗？
Can I pay with WeChat?
我想喝咖啡 — I'd like a coffee.
08
了: done, or changed
我到了。
I'm here — I've arrived.
我吃了 — I've eaten.
09
没: didn't, haven't
我还没吃。
I haven't eaten yet.
For the past, negate with 没, not 不: 我没去 — I didn't go.
10
Number + measure word + noun
两杯咖啡
two coffees
When unsure, use 个: 一个人, 三个包子.
11
的 links owner or description
我的手机
my phone
好吃的菜 — tasty dishes.
12
过: have you ever
你去过北京吗？
Have you been to Beijing?
Small-talk gold: everyone has an opinion on where you've been.