Essential Chinese Verbs
Verbs are the action words that help us describe what we're doing! Chinese verbs are super easy because they never change form - no matter who is doing the action or when it happened! Let's learn some basic verbs that will help you start making your own sentences!
Your First Chinese Verbs
Here are some super useful verbs you'll use all the time:
So simple, right? Each of these little characters represents an action!
The Magic of Chinese Verbs
Chinese verbs are much easier than English verbs! Here's why:
- They never change form - the same verb works for everyone (I, you, he, she, they)!
- No past/present/future forms - just add time words like 昨天yesterday (yesterday), 今天today (today), or 明天tomorrow (tomorrow)!
- No need to add "to" - there's no infinitive form in Chinese!
It's like a verb vacation!
Making Simple Sentences
Let's see how to use these verbs in basic sentence patterns:
1. Subject + Verb + Object
This is the most common pattern:
- 我看书 - I read books
- 她听音乐 - She listens to music
- 他吃饭 - He eats rice/food
- 我们喝茶 - We drink tea
- 我看见你 - I see you
- 他读书 - He reads books
2. Using 是 (To Be)
For saying what something or someone is:
- 我是学生 - I am a student
- 他是老师 - He is a teacher
3. Using 有 (To Have)
For talking about what you have:
- 我有一本书 - I have a book
- 你有笔吗 - Do you have a pen?
4. Using 在 (To Be At)
For telling where someone or something is:
- 我在学校 - I am at school
- 书在桌子上 - The book is on the table
5. Using 看见 (To See)
For describing what you see:
- 我看见一只猫 - I see a cat
- 你看见什么? - What do you see?
6. Using 读 (To Read)
For talking about reading:
- 我读中文书 - I read Chinese books
- 你喜欢读什么? - What do you like to read?
Making Negative Sentences
To say you don't do something, just add 不not before the verb:
- 我不看电视 - I don't watch TV
- 他不是医生 - He is not a doctor
Special note: For "don't have," use 没有no, don't have instead of 不有:
- 我没有钱 - I don't have money
Practice Conversation
Try this simple dialogue:
Dialogue 1: Who are you?
Practice Tips
- Make simple sentences using these verbs and things you see around you
- Label objects in your home and make sentences about them
- Describe your daily routine using these basic verbs
- Talk to yourself in Chinese as you do activities: 我吃饭 when eating, 我看书 when reading
With just these few verbs, you can already say so many things in Chinese! Don't worry about tenses or conjugations - Chinese keeps things simple! Keep practicing these patterns and you'll be making sentences like a pro in no time!