Making Statements
陈述句
State facts and preferences clearly
Declarative sentences state facts, opinions, and descriptions. They are the default sentence type — calm, clear, and informative.
Declarative sentences end with a period (。) in Chinese. They can be affirmative or negative.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Making Statements (陈述句)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 陈述句 pattern
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Understanding 陈述句
Declarative sentences are the foundation of communication. They simply state what is: "Mom cooks dinner," "I don't like watching TV," "Beijing is big." No questions, no commands — just facts and opinions delivered clearly. In Chinese, declarative sentences follow the same Subject + Predicate structure you already know. The magic is in combining what you've learned into smooth, confident statements. Think of declarative sentences as the "default mode" of language — most of what you say in any given day is a statement. Get comfortable with these, and you've mastered the backbone of Chinese conversation.
Key Points
- Affirmative: 妈妈做晚饭。(Māma zuò wǎnfàn.) — Mom makes dinner.
- Negative: 我不喜欢看电视。(Wǒ bù xǐhuān kàn diànshì.) — I don't like watching TV.
- Statements of fact: 北京很大。(Běijīng hěn dà.) — Beijing is big.
- Statements with 了 for change of state: 他走了。(Tā zǒu le.) — He left.
- You can chain declarative sentences together for natural storytelling.
- The word 也 (yě = also) adds information: 我也是学生。(Wǒ yě shì xuéshēng.) — I'm also a student.
- Use 还 (hái = still/also) to add more items: 我喜欢看书，还喜欢听音乐。(I like reading, and also like listening to music.)
- Declarative sentences can express future plans with time words: 我明天去北京。(Wǒ míngtiān qù Běijīng.) — I'm going to Beijing tomorrow.
In Chinese conversation, people often state opinions as if they were facts, without softeners like "I think" or "In my opinion." 这个不好看 (This doesn't look good) is a perfectly acceptable direct statement, not rude at all!
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
妈妈做晚饭。
Mom makes dinner.
Simple affirmative statement
我不喜欢看电视。
I don't like watching TV.
Negative preference
她是中国人。
She is Chinese.
Identity statement with 是
我每天骑自行车上班。
I ride a bike to work every day.
Habitual action statement
他有两个孩子。
He has two children.
Possession statement with 有
我们都是学生。
We are all students.
Group statement with 都
这家医院很有名。
This hospital is very famous.
Fact statement about a place — at the doctor
我哥哥在银行工作。
My older brother works at a bank.
Statement about someone's job — meeting friends
这个网站的东西很便宜。
Stuff on this website is very cheap.
Fact statement — shopping online
我明天要去机场接朋友。
I'm going to the airport to pick up a friend tomorrow.
Future plan statement — travel
Common Mistakes
不 goes before the main verb 喜欢, not between 喜欢 and its complement 看电视.
有 is special — it's always negated with 没, never with 不. 没有 = don't have.
都 always comes before the verb, not after it. Subject + 都 + Verb.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Declarative sentences are your default mode. When in doubt, just state what you mean — Subject + Predicate!
Remember: 有 is the rebel verb. It always uses 没 for negation, never 不.
Practice making three positive and three negative statements about yourself each day.
Chain statements together to tell a story: 我叫小明。我是学生。我在北京大学学习。我喜欢打篮球。See how natural that flows?
The words 也 and 都 are your best friends for connecting ideas. 也 = "me too" / "also." 都 = "all of us." They always go right before the verb.
Homework
Write a short self-introduction using at least eight declarative sentences. Cover: your name, nationality, job/school, family, hobbies, and one thing you don't like.