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5. Key Grammar Elements

Character Pinyin Function Usage
是 shì to be Links subject with identity/description
的 de possessive marker Shows ownership/relationship
叫 jiào to be called/named Used specifically for names

Family Relationships & Introductions

Chinese Pinyin Literal Meaning English Usage
弟弟 dìdi younger + younger younger brother
哥哥 gēge older + older older brother
妈妈 māma mother + mother mom/mum
爸爸 bàba father + father dad
老婆 lǎopó old + wife wife
老公 lǎogōng old + husband husband

Basic Sentence Patterns with Literal Translations

Chinese Pinyin Literal Translation English Usage
他是弟弟 tā shì dìdi he + is + younger-brother He is the younger brother
他是我的弟弟 tā shì wǒ de dìdi he + is + I + possessive + younger-brother He is my younger brother
我是他的哥哥 wǒ shì tā de gēge I + is + he + possessive + older-brother I am his older brother
她是我的妈妈 tā shì wǒ de māma she + is + I + possessive + mother She is my mum
他是我的爸爸 tā shì wǒ de bàba he + is + I + possessive + father He is my dad
她是我的老婆 tā shì wǒ de lǎopó she + is + I + possessive + wife She is my wife
你是我的老婆 nǐ shì wǒ de lǎopó you + is + I + possessive + wife You are my wife
我是你的老公 wǒ shì nǐ de lǎogōng I + is + you + possessive + husband I am your husband

Name Introduction Patterns

Chinese Pinyin Literal Translation English Usage
我叫Jack wǒ jiào Jack I + called + Jack My name is Jack
杰克 jiékè Jack (Chinese form) Chinese version of "Jack"
蔡毅盈 cài yì yīng Cai (surname) + Yi + Ying Chinese name (surname: 蔡)

Sentence Structure Patterns

  1. Basic Identity (是) 
Subject + 是 + Noun
他是弟弟。
tā shì dìdi
he + is + younger-brother
"He is the younger brother"
  1. Possession with 的 
Subject + 是 + [Person/Pronoun + 的] + Noun
他是我的弟弟。
tā shì wǒ de dìdi
he + is + I + possessive + younger-brother
"He is my younger brother"
  1. Name Introduction (叫) 
Subject + 叫 + Name
我叫Jack。
wǒ jiào Jack
I + called + Jack
"My name is Jack"

Important Grammar Rules

  1. 是 (shì) Usage

    • Used for identity and description
    • Cannot be used alone as "yes"
    • Must be followed by a noun or noun phrase
    • Pattern: Subject + 是 + [Noun/Description]

  2. 的 (de) Placement

    • Always comes after the possessor
    • Links possessor to the thing possessed
    • Pattern: Owner + 的 + Object
    • Example: 我的妈妈 (wǒ de māma) = I + possessive + mother = "my mother"

  3. 叫 (jiào) vs 是 (shì)

    • Use 叫 specifically for names
    • Use 是 for relationships and identities
    • Never mix: ❌ 我是Jack (incorrect for names)
    • Correct: ✓ 我叫Jack (correct for names)

Advanced Pattern Examples

她是我的老婆。
tā shì wǒ de lǎopó
she + is + I + possessive + wife
"She is my wife"

我是你的老公。
wǒ shì nǐ de lǎogōng
I + is + you + possessive + husband
"I am your husband"

When to Use Each Structure

  1. Use 是 (shì) when:

    • Stating someone's role/identity
    • Describing relationships
    • Making equivalence statements Example: 他是弟弟 (He is the younger brother)

  2. Use 的 (de) when:

    • Showing possession
    • Indicating relationships
    • Pattern: Possessor + 的 + Thing possessed Example: 我的妈妈 (my mother)

  3. Use 叫 (jiào) when:

    • Introducing names
    • Asking someone's name
    • Telling your own name Example: 我叫Jack (My name is Jack)
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