状语

The adverbial modifier (状语) is placed BEFORE the verb or adjective it modifies. This is a key difference from English, where adverbs often follow the verb.

Four main types of adverbials at HSK 1: 1. Negation adverbial: 不 (habitual/general negation) and 没 (past negation) — 他不吃包子 (He doesn't eat baozi), 我没去 (I didn't go). 2. Time adverbial: tells when the action happens — 我们明天见 (We'll meet tomorrow), 他下午来 (He comes in the afternoon). In Chinese, time words typically come BEFORE the verb, not after. 3. Manner adverbial: tells how the action is done — 你认真写 (Write carefully), 请慢慢说 (Please speak slowly). 4. Frequency/degree adverbial: 常常来 (come often), 已经吃了 (already ate), 都知道 (all know).

When NOT to confuse: - 不 is used for present/habitual negation: 他不吃肉 (He doesn't eat meat — habit). - 没 is used for past or experiential negation: 他没吃肉 (He didn't eat meat — this time). - Time words like 明天, 下午, 昨天 go BEFORE the verb, not after: 我明天去, not 我去明天.

Common mistake: Learners from English background put time words after the verb because English says 'I go tomorrow', but Chinese says 我明天去.