Master 37 HSK 5 grammar patterns with clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises for Chinese learners.
37 grammar patterns
Completion with a result
Percentage expression
Fraction expression
Telling time with 點
So...that...
Unless
Unless
Instead of… it’s better to…
Inferior to; not as...
Over
Like N
That is
Is V’ed by S
Whereas / in contrast
Equivalent to N
Formal modifier with 所
Able/unable to cope
Counts as
Do around; back and forth
Like N
Like N
Make/turn into
Formal relation
Very/so/extremely
How
Must / Have to (emphatic)
非...不可 is an emphatic way to express necessity or obligation. It means "must" or "have to" with strong emphasis.
By (formal passive voice)
为...所 is a formal/literary passive construction meaning "by" or "to be [verb]ed by." It is common in written Chinese and formal speech.
Thanks to...was able to...
多亏...才 expresses gratitude for something or someone that made a positive outcome possible. It means "thanks to X, Y was possible."
Fortunately...otherwise...
幸亏...不然 expresses relief that something good happened, because otherwise something bad would have occurred. It highlights a lucky outcome.
Make/cause
使 is a formal causative verb meaning "to cause" or "to make." It is commonly used in written Chinese and formal speech.
Even if (emphatic)
哪怕...也 is an emphatic way to say "even if." It expresses strong determination or concession, often for extreme or unlikely conditions.
In case / What if
万一...就 is used to discuss unlikely but possible scenarios and their consequences. It expresses caution or contingency planning.
Unless / Otherwise
除非...不然 sets up a necessary condition and states what will happen if that condition is not met. Similar to English unless...otherwise.
Would rather...than / Prefer to...rather than
宁可...也不 expresses strong preference - would rather X than Y.
The reason is...
之所以...是因为 emphasizes the reason - more formal than simple 因为.
Rather than...better to
与其…不如 compares two options and expresses preference for the second. Means "rather than A, it's better to B" when weighing alternatives.
If it weren't for
要不是 means "if it weren't for" or "had it not been for." Expresses counterfactual conditions where something would have happened without a particular circumstance.
