Referring to the present

The following structures that Chinese uses to refer to actions, events, and conditions in the present are organized according to our grammar points by level.

A1 Referring to the present

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Connecting nouns with "shi" A + 是 + B 学生 。
Standard negation with "bu" 不 + Verb / Adj. 他们 是 坏 孩子。

A2 Referring to the present

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing actions in progress with "zai" (正) 在 + Verb 我们 正在 吃饭。

B1 Referring to the present

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing actions in progress (full form) 正在 + Verb + 着 + 呢 正在 吃饭
Separable verb Verb-Obj. 我们