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NounsHSK 3

Time words and word order

Time words in Chinese must come before the verb, either at the very start of the sentence or right after the subject. Never place them at the end, which is a typical English word order mistake. Use either Time + Subject + Verb or Subject + Time + Verb.

Structure

Time + Subj. + Verb + Obj.
Subj. + Time + Verb + Obj.

Examples

  • 昨天我去了酒吧。
    Zuótiān wǒ qù le jiǔbā.
    Yesterday I went to the bar.
  • 我昨天去了酒吧。
    Wǒ zuótiān qù le jiǔbā.
    I went to the bar yesterday.
  • 下个星期他要回国。
    Xià gè xīngqī tā yào huí guó.
    Next week he is going back to his country.
  • 他下个星期要回国。
    Tā xià gè xīngqī yào huí guó.
    He is going back to his country next week.
  • 现在你能来我办公室吗？
    Xiànzài nǐ néng lái wǒ bàngōngshì ma?
    Now you can come to my office?