HSK 3 Grammar Guide: Master 12 Essential Patterns

Complete guide with examples, audio, and practice exercises

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12 Grammar Points

Comprehensive coverage

Audio Examples

Native pronunciation

HSK 3 marks a crucial transition from basic to intermediate Chinese, requiring mastery of 600 vocabulary words and 12 essential grammar patterns. This guide breaks down each grammar point with clear explanations and practical examples.

1. Expressing Sequence

先…再… (xiān…zài…)

First… then… (Sequential actions)

你先洗手，再吃饭。

Nǐ xiān xǐ shǒu, zài chī fàn.

First wash hands, then eat.

我们先去银行，再去超市。

Wǒmen xiān qù yínháng, zài qù chāoshì.

We’ll go to the bank first, then to the supermarket.

一边…一边… (yībiān…yībiān…)

While… at the same time… (Simultaneous actions)

我喜欢一边听音乐，一边做作业。

Wǒ xǐhuān yībiān tīng yīnyuè, yībiān zuò zuòyè.

I like listening to music while doing homework.

他一边开车，一边打电话。

Tā yībiān kāichē, yībiān dǎ diànhuà.

He’s driving while talking on the phone.

Quick Practice

Choose the correct pattern: 我_____看电视，_____吃饭。


✓ Correct answer: A (watching TV while eating – simultaneous actions)

2. Contrast and Progression

虽然…但是… (suīrán…dànshì…)

Although… but… (Expressing contrast)

虽然今天下雨，但是他还是来上班了。

Suīrán jīntiān xiàyǔ, dànshì tā háishì lái shàngbān le.

Although it’s raining today, he still came to work.

不但…而且… (bùdàn…érqiě…)

Not only… but also… (Progressive addition)

他不但会说英语，而且会说汉语。

Tā bùdàn huì shuō yīngyǔ, érqiě huì shuō hànyǔ.

He can not only speak English but also Chinese.

Common Mistake

In Chinese, we can use both 虽然 and 但是 together, unlike English, where we only use one connector.

3. Making Comparisons

比 (bǐ)

A + 比 + B + Adjective (A is more… than B)

他比我高。

Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.

He is taller than me.

今天比昨天冷。

Jīntiān bǐ zuótiān lěng.

Today is colder than yesterday.

没有 (méiyǒu)

A + 没有 + B + Adjective (A is not as… as B)

今天没有昨天热。

Jīntiān méiyǒu zuótiān rè.

Today is not as hot as yesterday.

4. Ba and Bei Sentences

把字句 (bǎ zì jù)

Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + Complement

我把作业做完了。

Wǒ bǎ zuòyè zuò wán le.

I have finished the homework.

他把书放在了桌子上。

Tā bǎ shū fàng zài le zhuōzi shàng.

He put the book on the table.

被字句 (bèi zì jù)

Subject + 被 + Agent + Verb (Passive voice)

我的手机被偷了。

Wǒ de shǒujī bèi tōu le.

My phone was stolen.

这本书被大家借走了。

Zhè běn shū bèi dàjiā jiè zǒu le.

This book has been borrowed by everyone.

5. Expressing Verb Tenses

了 (le)

Completed action marker

我吃了午饭。

Wǒ chī le wǔfàn.

I have eaten lunch.

过 (guò)

Past experience marker

我去过北京。

Wǒ qù guò Běijīng.

I have been to Beijing.

Quick Practice

我昨天看___这部电影。(I watched this movie yesterday)

✓ Answer: 了 (specific completed action yesterday)

6. Degree Adverbs

太…了 (tài…le)

Too/So… (extreme degree)

这个蛋糕太好吃了！

Zhège dàngāo tài hǎo chī le!

This cake is so delicious!

更 (gèng)

More/Even more

他比我更高。

Tā bǐ wǒ gèng gāo.

He is even taller than me.

最 (zuì)

Most (superlative)

他是最聪明的学生。

Tā shì zuì cōngmíng de xuéshēng.

He is the smartest student.

7. Directional Complements

Common Directional Complements

上

shàng (up)

下

xià (down)

进

jìn (in)

出

chū (out)

回

huí (back)

过

guò (over)

起

qǐ (up)

Examples:

请你走进来。

Qǐng nǐ zǒu jìn lái.

Please come in.

他拿出了一本书。

Tā ná chū le yī běn shū.

He took out a book.

8. Question Structures

Yes-No Questions with 吗

Statement + 吗？

你喜欢吃中国菜吗？

Nǐ xǐhuān chī Zhōngguó cài ma?

Do you like Chinese food?

Special Questions

Using: 什么、谁、哪里、怎么、为什么

你叫什么名字？

Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?

What’s your name?

他在哪里工作？

Tā zài nǎlǐ gōngzuò?

Where does he work?

9. Expressing Possibility

能 (néng)

Can/Able to (physical ability)

我能游泳。

Wǒ néng yóuyǒng.

I can swim.

可以 (kěyǐ)

May/Allowed (permission)

我可以坐这里吗？

Wǒ kěyǐ zuò zhèlǐ ma?

May I sit here?

会 (huì)

Can/Will (learned skill/future)

他会开车。

Tā huì kāichē.

He can drive.

明天会下雨。

Míngtiān huì xiàyǔ.

It will rain tomorrow.

10. Serial Verb Construction

One Subject, Two Actions

Subject + Verb 1 + Verb 2 (+ Object)

我去超市买东西。

Wǒ qù chāoshì mǎi dōngxi.

I go to the supermarket to buy things.

Analysis: 去 (go) + 买 (buy) – two connected actions

他回家吃饭。

Tā huí jiā chī fàn.

He returns home to eat.

Analysis: 回 (return) + 吃 (eat) – purpose of returning

11. Cause and Hypothesis

因为…所以… (yīnwèi…suǒyǐ…)

Because… therefore… (Cause and effect)

因为天气冷，所以我穿了外套。

Yīnwèi tiānqì lěng, suǒyǐ wǒ chuān le wàitào.

Because it’s cold, I wore a coat.

如果…就… (rúguǒ…jiù…)

If… then… (Hypothetical condition)

如果你喜欢，就拿去吧。

Rúguǒ nǐ xǐhuān, jiù ná qù ba.

If you like it, then take it.

12. Common Adverbs

已经 (yǐjīng)

Already (completed state)

我已经吃饭了。

Wǒ yǐjīng chī fàn le.

I have already eaten.

还 (hái)

Still (continuing state)

他还在睡觉。

Tā hái zài shuìjiào.

He is still sleeping.

HSK 3 Grammar Patterns Summary

Grammar Pattern Type Example Quick Tip
先…再… Sequence 先洗手，再吃饭 Step by step
一边…一边… Simultaneous 一边走一边说 At the same time
虽然…但是… Contrast 虽然贵，但是好 Despite X, still Y
不但…而且… Addition 不但便宜，而且好 Not only X, but also Y
比 Comparison 他比我高 A is more than B
把/被 Voice 把书放好/被偷了 Active/Passive
了/过 Aspect 吃了/去过 Completed/Experienced
能/可以/会 Possibility 能游泳/可以坐/会开车 Can/May/Know how
因为…所以… Cause-Effect 因为冷，所以穿外套 Because X, therefore Y
已经/还 Time Adverbs 已经吃了/还在吃 Already/Still

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