In Mandarin Chinese, sentences often follow a topic-comment pattern where the topic sets the scene and the comment says something about it. This structure lets speakers highlight what matters most in the conversation.
Topic
The topic is what the sentence is about and it usually appears at the beginning. It can be a noun, noun phrase, or even a whole clause that frames the discussion.
Examples
Today the weather is nice.
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏫 学校， | Xuéxiào, | As for the school, | |
| 🧑🏫 老师， | Lǎoshī, | As for the teacher, | |
| 🍎 苹果， | Píngguǒ, | As for the apple, | |
| 📚 书， | Shū, | As for the book, |
Comment
The comment tells us something about the topic such as an action, description, or evaluation. It can be a verb phrase, adjective, or more complex predicate.
Examples
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌟 很漂亮。 | Hěn piàoliang. | (It) is very beautiful. | |
| 🍰 很好吃。 | Hěn hǎochī. | (It) is very tasty. | |
| 👩🏫 很亲切。 | Hěn qīnqiè. | (She) is very kind. | |
| 📖 很有趣。 | Hěn yǒuqù. | (It) is very interesting. |
Topic-Comment vs Subject-Predicate
Unlike a strict subject-predicate sentence, the topic may not be the grammatical subject and the comment may omit elements that are understood. This gives more flexibility to highlight information.
Returning to Topic
Discourse particles and pronouns often signal when the speaker is returning to or continuing about the same topic, helping the listener follow the thread. Repetition of the topic can be avoided when it is clear.
Topic-Comment with Time and Place
Time and place expressions frequently serve as topics so that the comment can focus on what happened or will happen relative to them. This is common in telling stories or giving directions.
Summary
Mandarin Mandarin Mandarin Chinese naturally organizes information around a topic followed by a comment. Identifying the topic helps you understand what the sentence is about and the comment shows what is said about it. Practice noticing and using this pattern to make your speech clear and natural.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025