HSK 1Lesson 7 of 13 · 7 grammar points
How phrases are built
A phrase has an internal organization and an external role. A coordinated group, an action with its object and a reference object with a position word are different structures. Identifying the head prevents word-by-word translation errors.
Learning goals (7)
- Coordinated phrases.
- Modifier–head phrases.
- Verb–object phrases.
- Subject–predicate phrases.
- Number–classifier phrases.
- Prepositional phrases.
- Location phrases.
爸爸和妈妈
Coordinated phrases
Parallel elements share a grammatical role: nouns with nouns, or predicates with predicates. 和 commonly joins nominal members.
爸爸和妈妈都在家。
Dad and Mom are both at home.
More
Pitfall: A coordinated subject can take 都; the verb does not change for plural subjects.
新书
Modifier–head phrases
A modifier narrows the following head: 我的书 or 很好. Identify the head to understand what kind of phrase the whole unit is.
这是我的新书。
This is my new book.
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Pitfall: Not every modifier requires 的; learn conventional combinations.
学汉语
Verb–object phrases
The action precedes its object, as in 喝水 and 学汉语. Treat the object as a phrase, not necessarily one character.
我每天学汉语。
I study Chinese every day.
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Pitfall: Basic Chinese order is verb then object, not object then verb.
天气很好
Subject–predicate phrases
A phrase can state something about its own subject, such as 天气好. The predicate need not contain 是.
今天天气很好。
The weather is nice today.
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Pitfall: Do not insert 是 before every adjective predicate.
两个
Number–classifier phrases
A numeral plus classifier can modify a noun or stand alone when the noun is understood.
我要两个。
I would like two.
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Pitfall: The understood noun determines the classifier even when omitted.
和老师
Prepositional phrases
A preposition and its object form a unit such as 在学校 or 和朋友. Put the whole unit in the appropriate position relative to the action.
她和老师说话。
She is talking with the teacher.
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Pitfall: Do not detach 老师 from 和 when identifying the participant phrase.
门外
Location phrases
Combine a reference object with a position word: 学校里、门外. The entire phrase can serve as a location.
他在门外。
He is outside the door.
More
Pitfall: 外 follows the reference object; it is not a standalone English-style preposition here.
Source details (official syllabus)
Coordinated phrases
- Syllabus item
- （1）联合短语
- Category
- 基本结构类型
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L1-028
- PDF page
- 387 (printed 384)
Modifier–head phrases
- Syllabus item
- （2）偏正短语
- Category
- 基本结构类型
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L1-029
- PDF page
- 387 (printed 384)
Verb–object phrases
- Syllabus item
- （3）动宾短语
- Category
- 基本结构类型
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L1-030
- PDF page
- 387 (printed 384)
Subject–predicate phrases
- Syllabus item
- （4）主谓短语
- Category
- 基本结构类型
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L1-031
- PDF page
- 387 (printed 384)
Number–classifier phrases
- Syllabus item
- （1）数量短语
- Category
- 其他结构类型
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L1-032
- PDF page
- 387 (printed 384)
Prepositional phrases
- Syllabus item
- （2）介宾短语
- Category
- 其他结构类型
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L1-033
- PDF page
- 387 (printed 384)
Location phrases
- Syllabus item
- （3）方位短语
- Category
- 其他结构类型
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L1-034
- PDF page
- 387 (printed 384)
- 1FILL BLANK
都在家。
Choose the expression that completes the sentence.
“Dad and Mom are both at home.”
- 2FILL BLANK
他在。
Choose the expression that completes the sentence.
“He is outside the door.”
- 3MATCH
Tap a sentence, then tap its meaning.
Tap a sentence, then tap its meaning.
- 4CHOOSE
Which is a verb–object phrase?
- 5CHOOSE
他在学校里。
Which is the complete location phrase after 在?
- 6ORDER
Tap the chunks to build the sentence.
“Dad and Mom are both at home.”
Tap the chunks in order. - 7ORDER
Tap the chunks to build the sentence.
“This is my new book.”
Tap the chunks in order.
0 of 7 tasks answered.
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