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Welcome to Chinese Grammar! Today’s adventure: the all-important declarative sentence (陈述句 chénshùjù)! Yes, these are the bread and butter of daily conversation—perfect for telling your friends, family, and even your cat what’s what. 🍞🐈 What is a declarative sentence?
A declarative sentence is just a simple statement. You use them to state facts or opinions, to say what you like, what you do, or what’s happening. Luckily, in Chinese, declarative sentences are refreshingly straightforward! Basic structure: In English: Subject + Verb (+ Object).
In Chinese: Subject + Verb (+ Object). Don’t worry—no crazy word orders or scary endings. For example:

• 妈妈做晚饭。(Māma zuò wǎnfàn. Mom makes dinner.)
• 我不喜欢看电视。(Wǒ bù xǐhuān kàn diànshì. I don’t like to watch TV.)

Let’s break it down:

1. Subject (who?): 我 (wǒ) – I, 妈妈 (māma) – Mom, etc.
2. Verb (do what?): 做 (zuò) – to make/do, 喜欢 (xǐhuān) – to like, etc.
3. Object (what?): 晚饭 (wǎnfàn) – dinner, 电视 (diànshì) – TV, etc.

Negation: Want to say “not”? Just slot in 不 (bù) before the verb! Example:

• 我不喜欢看电视。I don’t like to watch TV.

Pretty smooth, right? No need to worry about verb endings, tenses, or subject-verb agreement. Just put the words in order, and you’re set—your inner grammar chef is ready to start serving sentences!

Ready for a lightning round, grammar superstars? Fill in the blank with the right verb, subject, or negation (type in pinyin or Hanzi—either works):

1. 做晚饭。(Mom makes dinner.)

2. 我 喜欢看电视。(I don't like to watch TV.)

3. 学中文。(Lili studies Chinese.)

4. 建国 。(Jianguo works.)

5. 我 苹果。(I like apples.)

6. 晓彤 吃米饭。(Xiaotong doesn’t eat rice.)

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