The Predicate
谓语
Understand what the subject 'does' or 'is'
The predicate is the engine of a Chinese sentence. It tells you what the subject does, how it feels, or what it is. Verbs, adjectives, and even noun phrases can all serve as predicates.
Unlike English, Chinese predicates do not need a helper verb like "is" when an adjective is the predicate.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: The Predicate (谓语)
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Understanding 谓语
Every sentence has two core parts: who or what we are talking about (the subject), and what we want to say about it (the predicate). In Chinese, the predicate can be a verb ("I eat"), an adjective ("Today is cold"), or even a noun phrase ("Today Monday"). Think of the predicate as the action hero of your sentence — it carries all the meaning! This is actually great news for English speakers: Chinese predicates are simpler because verbs never conjugate. Whether it's "I eat," "he eats," or "they ate," the verb stays the same — no -s, no -ed, no irregular forms. Once you understand these three predicate types (verb, adjective, noun phrase), you can build virtually any sentence in Chinese.
Key Points
- A verb predicate describes an action: 我们学中文。(Wǒmen xué Zhōngwén.) — We study Chinese.
- An adjective predicate describes a state: 今天不冷。(Jīntiān bù lěng.) — Today is not cold.
- A noun phrase predicate states identity or time: 今天星期一。(Jīntiān xīngqī yī.) — Today is Monday.
- Adjective predicates often use 很 to soften the tone, even when you don't mean "very."
- Negative predicates use 不 (bù) before the verb or adjective.
- The predicate can also be a subject-predicate phrase: 他身体很好。(Tā shēntǐ hěn hǎo.) — His health is good. Here 身体很好 is the predicate.
- Multiple verbs can serve as a single predicate: 我去买东西。(Wǒ qù mǎi dōngxi.) — I go shopping. The verbs chain together naturally.
- In spoken Chinese, one-word predicates are totally normal answers: Q: 你饿吗？A: 饿！(Hungry!)
In everyday Chinese, people often drop the subject when context makes it clear — the predicate alone can be a complete utterance. For example, someone might just say 吃了！(Chī le! — Already ate!) instead of 我吃了。
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
我们学中文。
We study Chinese.
Verb predicate — the action of studying
今天不冷。
Today is not cold.
Adjective predicate with negation
这个菜很好吃。
This dish is delicious.
Adjective predicate with 很
爸爸工作。
Dad works.
Simple verb predicate
他很高兴。
He is very happy.
Adjective predicate describing emotion
今天星期五。
Today is Friday.
Noun phrase predicate — no 是 needed for dates
服务员，这个汤很咸。
Waiter, this soup is very salty.
Adjective predicate — complaining at a restaurant
你的头发很长。
Your hair is long.
Adjective predicate describing appearance
我妹妹唱歌。
My younger sister sings.
Verb predicate — a verb-object compound
老师今天很累。
The teacher is very tired today.
Adjective predicate — describing how someone feels at work
Common Mistakes
Don't use 是 before adjective predicates. Adjectives function as predicates on their own — just add 很 for a neutral tone.
English uses "is" + adjective, but Chinese uses 很 + adjective directly. The 是 is not needed here.
To negate an adjective predicate, place 不 directly before the adjective — no 是 involved.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Think of 很 as a "filler word" before adjectives — it doesn't always mean "very," it just makes the sentence sound natural.
When you negate, use 不 directly before the verb or adjective. Simple and clean!
Try describing three things around you right now using adjective predicates: 桌子很大、房间很小、天气很好。
A quick test: if you can put "very" before the English word, it's probably an adjective predicate in Chinese. "Very cold" = 很冷, "very big" = 很大.
Remember the three predicate types with this chant: Verb = action, Adjective = description, Noun = identity. You've got this!
Homework
Write five sentences about your daily life — use at least two verb predicates and two adjective predicates. For example: 我学英语。天气很热。