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Basic word order in Chinese

The basic word order of a Chinese sentence:

主语 + 谓语 + 宾语 Subject + predicate + object
That is, usually: who? + does what? + whom / what?

Basic structure

Subject + predicate + object

Example

我(Wǒ)叫(jiào)陈(Chén)天(Tiān)中(zhōng)。
My name is Chen Tianzhong.

Structure

我 + 叫 + 陈天中 I + be called + Chen Tianzhong
我(wǒ)I → 主语 (subject)
叫(jiào)to be called → 谓语 (predicate)
陈(Chén)天(Tiān)中(zhōng)Chen Tianzhong → 宾语 (object)
你(Nǐ)叫(jiào)什(shén)么(me)名(míng)字(zi)？
What is your name?

Structure

你 + 叫 + 什么名字？ you + be called + what name?
你(nǐ)you
叫(jiào)be called
什(shén)么(me)名(míng)字(zi)what name
我(Wǒ)叫(jiào)白(Bái)家(Jiā)月(yuè)。
My name is Bai Jiayue.

Structure

我 + 叫 + 白家月 I + be called + Bai Jiayue
我(wǒ)I
叫(jiào)be called
白(Bái)家(Jiā)月(yuè)Bai Jiayue
我(Wǒ)是(shì)学(xué)生(sheng)。
I am a student.

Structure

我 + 是 + 学生 I + be + student
我(wǒ)I
是(shì)be
学(xué)生(sheng)student

The rule in short

主语 + 谓语 + 宾语

In English:

Subject + predicate + object

Examples:

你(Nǐ)叫(jiào)什(shén)么(me)名(míng)字(zi)？
What is your name?
我(Wǒ)叫(jiào)白(Bái)家(Jiā)月(yuè)。
My name is Bai Jiayue.
我(Wǒ)是(shì)学(xué)生(sheng)。
I am a student.