Mandarin Grammar

Question 1

Modifying Clauses

Answer 1

V (+ O) + de + Subject/Noun that is modified + [CLAUSE 2]

ex)
to wear + glasses + de + person + is my mom
= (the) person THAT wear glasses + is my mom

• so “de” basically translates to “that/which/who” when used to make noun clauses -

Question 2

To say subject IS noun

Answer 2

Use “shi” to connect the subject and the noun.

She is my mom
= Ta SHI wo de mama

Question 3

To say subject IS verbing

Answer 3

You can only use “shi” to connect nouns, so to connect a subject and a verb in the present tense - you use “ZAI” which means “ing” before verbs.

She is talking
= Ta ZAI shuo hua

Question 4

BU

Answer 4

bu negates things in the present and future tense

Question 5

MEI

Answer 5

mei negates all verbs for past tense, and it negates YOU (to have/to exist) for all tenses [you can’t use BU to negate YOU]