Adverb Placement
Spoken Description
学习中文副词位置：在句子中：修饰动词、形容词、副词。掌握副词的常用位置：动词前、动词后或句尾。提供例句和对比练习帮你写出更自然的句子。
Learn adverb placement in Chinese: modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Master common positions: before, after, or at the sentence end. Includes example sentences and practice to improve your natural writing.
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Adverbs in Mandarin Chinese typically follow a consistent order that reflects emphasis and scope, and small changes can affect the nuance of a sentence. This guide goes through the main positions where adverbs appear with clear examples.
Sentence‑Initial Adverbs
Adverbs that set the overall tone or time of the sentence often appear at the very beginning, before the subject. This placement signals that they modify the whole statement rather than just the action.
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 昨天 | zuótiān | yesterday | |
| 当然 | dāngrán | of course | |
| 可能 | kěnéng | possibly |
(yesterday) 见面了。
Yesterday I met her.
I met her yesterday. (yesterday)
Adverbs Before the Verb
Adverbs that directly modify how, when, or how often an action occurs usually come immediately before the main verb. This is the most common position for manner, frequency, and degree adverbs to reliably affect the action.
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 慢慢地 | mànmàn de | slowly | |
| 经常 | jīngcháng | often | |
| 认真地 | rènzhēn de | carefully |
他们(often) 在这里吃饭。
They often eat here.
they often eat here. (often)
Adverbs After Time Expressions
When a time adverbial appears at the sentence start, an adverb modifying the action typically follows the time phrase and precedes the verb. This keeps the chronological and manner details in natural order.
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 今天 | jīntiān | today | |
| 已经 | yǐjīng | already | |
| 还 | hái | still |
今天(already) 到了。
They already arrived today.
they already arrived today. (already)
Degree Adverbs
Adverbs that express intensity, likelihood, or degree generally appear right before the element they modify, whether that is an adjective, another adverb, or the verb itself. Placing them close ensures they clearly quantify the target.
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 非常 | fēicháng | very | |
| 很 | hěn | quite | |
| 太 | tài | too |
考试(very) 难。
The exam was very difficult.
The exam was very difficult. (very)
Adverbials of Manner and Place
Adverbs describing how or where an action occurs often come after the verb or after that verb’s object if there is one. This reflects that manner and place modify the action itself rather than the time or degree.
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 这样 | zhèyàng | in this way | |
| 那里 | nàlǐ | there | |
| 快速地 | kuàisù de | quickly |
走回家(slowly)。
Walk home slowly.
walk home slowly. (slowly)
Negative Adverbs
Negation words like bù (不) or méi (没) typically appear immediately before the verb or auxiliary they cancel, and they precede any adverbs of manner or time. This keeps the negative scope clear and prevents ambiguity.
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 不 | bù | not | |
| 没 | méi | not have / did not | |
| 从不 | cóng bù | never |
我(not) 明天 去。
I will not go tomorrow.
I will not go tomorrow. (not)
Summary
Adverbs that set time or attitude go sentence‑initial, manner and frequency adverbs normally precede the verb, degree words sit close to what they modify, and manner/place adverbials come after the verb or object. Negation precedes adverbs. Following this typical order helps sentences sound natural and ensures each adverb modifies the intended part.
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