Indicating Past and Future in Mandarin Chinese
There are several ways to indicate past and future in Mandarin Chinese.
Prior Actions With Yi Qian / Before
Use the Mandarin Chinese yi qian when describing actions which take place before other actions.
Use the Mandarin Chinese yi qian when describing actions which take place before other actions.
Sequential Events With After / Yi Hou
Yi hou means after and is used in sentences to show the sequence of events in this pattern - After an action is completed, then another action occurs.
Yi hou means after and is used in sentences to show the sequence of events in this pattern - After an action is completed, then another action occurs.
Using Time Expressions for Past Events
Time expressions can be used to talk about past events when the le particle cannot be used.
Time expressions can be used to talk about past events when the le particle cannot be used.
Talking About the Recent Past
The particles guo and le can be used to talk about recent events in Mandarin Chinese. This combination functions as a perfective in Mandarin Chinese grammar.
The particles guo and le can be used to talk about recent events in Mandarin Chinese. This combination functions as a perfective in Mandarin Chinese grammar.
Mandarin Future Using Yao and Hui
Mandarin Chinese can use the auxiliary verbs "hui" and "yao" to refer to the future. Hui is used when the speaker is making a confident prediction, and yao is used to indicate an intention.
Mandarin Chinese can use the auxiliary verbs "hui" and "yao" to refer to the future. Hui is used when the speaker is making a confident prediction, and yao is used to indicate an intention.
Mandarin Chinese Aspect
Mandarin Chinese does not have tenses like the English tenses for past, present, and future. Time frames can be determined in a number of ways, including aspect and time markers.
Mandarin Chinese does not have tenses like the English tenses for past, present, and future. Time frames can be determined in a number of ways, including aspect and time markers.