Where adverbs and time phrases go in the sentence

In Chinese, adverbs and time words serving as adverbials normally stand before the verb or adjective.

The basic rule

Subject + adverb / time phrase + verb / adjective

That is: when? to what degree? in what manner? — all of it normally comes before the verb or adjective.

我(Wǒ)不(bù)想(xiǎng)去(qù)。

I don't want to go.

我 + 不 + 想去 I + negation + want to go

我(wǒ)I

不(bù)the negative adverb

想(xiǎng)去(qù)want to go

Here 不 stands before the verb.

妹(Mèi)妹(mei)很(hěn)高(gāo)兴(xìng)。

My younger sister is very happy.

妹妹 + 很 + 高兴 younger sister + very + happy

妹(mèi)妹(mei)younger sister

很(hěn)very

高(gāo)兴(xìng)happy

Here 很 stands before the adjective.

她(Tā)上(shàng)午(wǔ)十(shí)点(diǎn)半(bàn)上(shàng)课(kè)。

She has class at 10:30 in the morning.

她 + 上午十点半 + 上课 she + at 10:30 in the morning + has class

她(tā)she

上(shàng)午(wǔ)十(shí)点(diǎn)半(bàn)at 10:30 in the morning

上(shàng)课(kè)have class

Here the time phrase 上午十点半 stands before the verb.

Adverb / time phrase + verb / adjective

Examples:

不(bù)想(xiǎng)去(qù)

not want to go

很(hěn)高(gāo)兴(xìng)

very happy

上(shàng)午(wǔ)十(shí)点(diǎn)半(bàn)上(shàng)课(kè)

have class at 10:30 in the morning