The order of time and place phrases

When a time phrase and a place phrase both serve as adverbials in one sentence, the time phrase comes first.

Basic structure

Subject + time + place + verb

Meaning: who, when, where, does what

我(Wǒ)们(men)七(qī)点(diǎn)在(zài)电(diàn)影(yǐng)院(yuàn)外(wài)边(bian)见(jiàn)。

We're meeting outside the cinema at seven.

我们 + 七点 + 在电影院外边 + 见 we + at seven + outside the cinema + meet

我(wǒ)们(men)we

七(qī)点(diǎn)at seven

在(zài)电(diàn)影(yǐng)院(yuàn)外(wài)边(bian)outside the cinema

见(jiàn)meet

Here the time phrase 七点 precedes the place phrase 在电影院外边.

安(Ān)妮(nī)下(xià)午(wǔ)在(zài)家(jiā)里(lǐ)学(xué)中(Zhōng)文(wén)。

Annie studies Chinese at home in the afternoon.

安妮 + 下午 + 在家里 + 学中文 Annie + in the afternoon + at home + study Chinese

安(Ān)妮(nī)Annie

下(xià)午(wǔ)in the afternoon

在(zài)家(jiā)里(lǐ)at home

学(xué)中(Zhōng)文(wén)study Chinese

Here 下午 gives the time and 在家里 the place.

陈(Chén)天(Tiān)中(zhōng)明(míng)天(tiān)中(zhōng)午(wǔ)在(zài)学(xué)校(xiào)吃(chī)午(wǔ)饭(fàn)。

Chen Tianzhong has lunch at school tomorrow at midday.

陈天中 + 明天中午 + 在学校 + 吃午饭 Chen Tianzhong + tomorrow at midday + at school + have lunch

陈(Chén)天(Tiān)中(zhōng)Chen Tianzhong

明(míng)天(tiān)中(zhōng)午(wǔ)tomorrow at midday

在(zài)学(xué)校(xiào)at school

吃(chī)午(wǔ)饭(fàn)have lunch

Here too the time phrase comes before the place phrase.

Subject + time + place + verb

That is: time → place → action

Examples:

七(qī)点(diǎn)在(zài)电(diàn)影(yǐng)院(yuàn)外(wài)边(bian)见(jiàn)

meet outside the cinema at seven

下(xià)午(wǔ)在(zài)家(jiā)里(lǐ)学(xué)中(Zhōng)文(wén)

study Chinese at home in the afternoon

明(míng)天(tiān)中(zhōng)午(wǔ)在(zài)学(xué)校(xiào)吃(chī)午(wǔ)饭(fàn)

have lunch at school tomorrow at midday