Traditional Chinese Coverbs & Prepositions: 35 Easy Patterns For Beginners

Learn how Mandarin “preposition-like” words work with Traditional Chinese coverbs: 介詞 jiècí and coverbs, without turning your brain into hot soy milk.

Traditional Chinese coverbs and prepositions help you say where, when, with whom, for whom, from where, toward what, and according to what. In English, we often put these phrases after the verb: “I study at home.” In Mandarin, the phrase usually comes before the main verb: 我在家讀書 wǒ zài jiā dúshū — “I study at home.”

The win today: 35 practical patterns you can reuse instantly. Not just a word list. Word lists are where motivation goes to nap dramatically.

Table of Contents

The One Word Order Rule Beginners Need First

Basic Pattern: Subject + coverb/preposition phrase + main verb + object.

我在家吃飯 wǒ zài jiā chīfàn — I eat at home.

The tiny yak rule: set the scene first, then do the action. Mandarin likes context before drama.

Essential Coverbs At A Glance

在

zài — at, in, on

我在台北工作 wǒ zài Táiběi gōngzuò — I work in Taipei.

從

cóng — from

我從家裡來 wǒ cóng jiālǐ lái — I came from home.

到

dào — to, until

我到學校去 wǒ dào xuéxiào qù — I go to school.

跟

gēn — with, and

我跟朋友聊天 wǒ gēn péngyǒu liáotiān — I chat with friends.

給

gěi — to, for

我給你打電話 wǒ gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà — I call you.

對

duì — toward, to, about

他對我很好 tā duì wǒ hěn hǎo — He is very nice to me.

用

yòng — using, with

我用手機拍照 wǒ yòng shǒujī pāizhào — I take photos with a phone.

把

bǎ — marks what gets handled

請把門關上 qǐng bǎ mén guānshàng — Please close the door.

How Coverbs Work In Mandarin

Many Mandarin words that act like English prepositions also behave like verbs. That is why people call them “coverbs.” The name sounds like a tiny superhero team, which is honestly not far off.

Word	As A Verb	As A Coverb / Preposition	Example
在 zài	to be at	at, in, on	我在家工作 wǒ zài jiā gōngzuò — I work at home.
給 gěi	to give	to, for	我給媽媽買花 wǒ gěi māma mǎi huā — I buy flowers for Mom.
用 yòng	to use	using, with	他用中文點餐 tā yòng Zhōngwén diǎncān — He orders food in Chinese.
到 dào	to arrive	to, until	我們到夜市吃飯 wǒmen dào yèshì chīfàn — We go to the night market to eat.

35 Easy Traditional Chinese Coverb Patterns

Use these as sentence frames. Swap the nouns and verbs, and suddenly your Mandarin has structure. Suspiciously useful.

Location And Time Patterns

#	Pattern	Meaning	Example ZH	Pinyin	English
1	在 + Place + Verb	do something at/in a place	我在咖啡店看書。	wǒ zài kāfēi diàn kànshū.	I read at a coffee shop.
2	在 + Time + Verb	do something at a time	我們在七點見面。	wǒmen zài qī diǎn jiànmiàn.	We meet at seven.
3	在 + Noun + 上	on something	手機在桌子上。	shǒujī zài zhuōzi shàng.	The phone is on the table.
4	在 + Noun + 裡	inside something	鑰匙在包包裡。	yàoshi zài bāobāo lǐ.	The keys are in the bag.
5	在 + Noun + 旁邊	beside something	捷運站在銀行旁邊。	jiéyùn zhàn zài yínháng pángbiān.	The MRT station is beside the bank.
6	從 + Place + Verb	from a place	他從台中來。	tā cóng Táizhōng lái.	He comes from Taichung.
7	從 + Time + 開始	starting from a time	課從九點開始。	kè cóng jiǔ diǎn kāishǐ.	Class starts from nine.
8	從 + A + 到 + B	from A to B	我從家走到學校。	wǒ cóng jiā zǒu dào xuéxiào.	I walk from home to school.
9	到 + Place + Verb	go to a place to do something	我們到公園散步。	wǒmen dào gōngyuán sànbù.	We go to the park for a walk.
10	到 + Time + 為止	until a time	活動到晚上十點為止。	huódòng dào wǎnshàng shí diǎn wéizhǐ.	The event lasts until 10 p.m.

Direction And Movement Patterns

#	Pattern	Meaning	Example ZH	Pinyin	English
11	往 + Direction + Verb	toward a direction	請往前走。	qǐng wǎng qián zǒu.	Please walk forward.
12	往 + Place + Verb	toward a place	公車往台北車站開。	gōngchē wǎng Táiběi Chēzhàn kāi.	The bus goes toward Taipei Main Station.
13	向 + Person + 問好	greet someone	我向老師問好。	wǒ xiàng lǎoshī wènhǎo.	I greet the teacher.
14	向 + Place + 前進	move toward a place	我們向山上前進。	wǒmen xiàng shān shàng qiánjìn.	We move toward the mountain.
15	朝 + Direction + Verb	face or move toward	他朝門口走去。	tā cháo ménkǒu zǒu qù.	He walks toward the doorway.
16	沿著 + Route + Verb	along a route	我們沿著河邊跑步。	wǒmen yánzhe hébiān pǎobù.	We jog along the riverside.
17	經過 + Place	pass through/by	我每天經過這家店。	wǒ měi tiān jīngguò zhè jiā diàn.	I pass this shop every day.
18	離 + Place + 很近 / 很遠	near/far from	我家離捷運站很近。	wǒ jiā lí jiéyùn zhàn hěn jìn.	My home is close to the MRT station.

People, Beneficiaries, And Targets

#	Pattern	Meaning	Example ZH	Pinyin	English
19	跟 + Person + Verb	with someone	我跟朋友吃晚餐。	wǒ gēn péngyǒu chī wǎncān.	I eat dinner with friends.
20	跟 + Person + 說	say to someone	請跟他說一聲。	qǐng gēn tā shuō yì shēng.	Please let him know.
21	跟 + Person + 一樣	same as someone	我跟你一樣喜歡珍珠奶茶。	wǒ gēn nǐ yíyàng xǐhuān zhēnzhū nǎichá.	I like bubble tea just like you.
22	和 + Noun + 一起	together with	我和妹妹一起做功課。	wǒ hé mèimei yìqǐ zuò gōngkè.	I do homework together with my younger sister.
23	給 + Person + Verb	do something for/to someone	我給爸爸買咖啡。	wǒ gěi bàba mǎi kāfēi.	I buy coffee for Dad.
24	幫 + Person + Verb	help someone do something	我幫你叫車。	wǒ bāng nǐ jiào chē.	I’ll help you call a ride.
25	替 + Person + Verb	do something on behalf of someone	她替同事開會。	tā tì tóngshì kāihuì.	She attends the meeting for her coworker.
26	對 + Person + Adjective	be a certain way toward someone	老師對學生很有耐心。	lǎoshī duì xuéshēng hěn yǒu nàixīn.	The teacher is very patient with students.
27	對 + Topic + 有興趣	be interested in a topic	我對台灣文化有興趣。	wǒ duì Táiwān wénhuà yǒu xìngqù.	I’m interested in Taiwanese culture.

Tools, Methods, Reasons, And Object Handling

#	Pattern	Meaning	Example ZH	Pinyin	English
28	用 + Tool + Verb	use a tool to do something	我用筷子吃麵。	wǒ yòng kuàizi chī miàn.	I eat noodles with chopsticks.
29	用 + Language + Verb	use a language	請用中文說。	qǐng yòng Zhōngwén shuō.	Please say it in Chinese.
30	以 + Noun + 為主	mainly based on	這家店以牛肉麵為主。	zhè jiā diàn yǐ niúròu miàn wéi zhǔ.	This shop mainly focuses on beef noodles.
31	按照 + Rule + Verb	according to a rule	請按照說明操作。	qǐng ànzhào shuōmíng cāozuò.	Please operate it according to the instructions.
32	因為 + Reason + 所以 + Result	because… so…	因為下雨，所以我沒去。	yīnwèi xiàyǔ, suǒyǐ wǒ méi qù.	Because it rained, I didn’t go.
33	為了 + Goal + Verb	in order to	為了考試，我每天複習。	wèile kǎoshì, wǒ měi tiān fùxí.	In order to prepare for the test, I review every day.
34	把 + Object + Verb + Result	handle an object and produce a result	請把名字寫清楚。	qǐng bǎ míngzi xiě qīngchǔ.	Please write the name clearly.
35	被 + Person + Verb	be acted on by someone	我的蛋糕被弟弟吃了。	wǒ de dàngāo bèi dìdi chī le.	My cake was eaten by my younger brother.

Yak Snark Box: Don’t Translate Word By Word

English says “I eat dinner with my friend.” Mandarin usually says 我跟朋友吃晚餐 wǒ gēn péngyǒu chī wǎncān — “I with friend eat dinner.” It is not broken English. It is Mandarin being organized, thank you very much.

Useful Phrases And Real-Life Sentences

These are common, flexible phrases worth saying out loud. Yes, out loud. Your brain needs receipts.

在家 zài jiā — at home. 我今天在家休息。wǒ jīntiān zài jiā xiūxí. — I’m resting at home today.
在公司 zài gōngsī — at the company. 她在公司開會。tā zài gōngsī kāihuì. — She is having a meeting at the office.
在路上 zài lù shàng — on the way. 我在路上了。wǒ zài lù shàng le. — I’m on the way.
從這裡 cóng zhèlǐ — from here. 從這裡走很快。cóng zhèlǐ zǒu hěn kuài. — Walking from here is fast.
從現在開始 cóng xiànzài kāishǐ — starting now. 從現在開始，我要早睡。cóng xiànzài kāishǐ, wǒ yào zǎoshuì. — Starting now, I want to sleep early.
到那裡 dào nàlǐ — to there. 我們怎麼到那裡？wǒmen zěnme dào nàlǐ? — How do we get there?
跟你說 gēn nǐ shuō — tell you / say to you. 我跟你說一件事。wǒ gēn nǐ shuō yí jiàn shì. — Let me tell you something.
給我看 gěi wǒ kàn — show me. 可以給我看嗎？kěyǐ gěi wǒ kàn ma? — Can you show me?
對不起 duìbùqǐ — sorry. 對不起，我遲到了。duìbùqǐ, wǒ chídào le. — Sorry, I’m late.
對我來說 duì wǒ lái shuō — for me / from my point of view. 對我來說，中文很有趣。duì wǒ lái shuō, Zhōngwén hěn yǒuqù. — For me, Chinese is interesting.
用中文 yòng Zhōngwén — in Chinese / using Chinese. 我想用中文點餐。wǒ xiǎng yòng Zhōngwén diǎncān. — I want to order food in Chinese.
把它拿走 bǎ tā názǒu — take it away. 請把它拿走。qǐng bǎ tā názǒu. — Please take it away.

Common Mistakes And Quick Fixes

Mistake	Better Mandarin	Why It Works
我吃飯在家。 wǒ chīfàn zài jiā.	我在家吃飯。 wǒ zài jiā chīfàn.	Put the location phrase before the main verb.
我去到學校。 wǒ qù dào xuéxiào.	我到學校去。 wǒ dào xuéxiào qù.	到 + place often sets the destination before 去.
我用中文說你。 wǒ yòng Zhōngwén shuō nǐ.	我用中文跟你說。 wǒ yòng Zhōngwén gēn nǐ shuō.	跟你說 means “speak to you.” 說你 sounds like “talk about you” or “scold you.” Sneaky little difference.
我對中文喜歡。 wǒ duì Zhōngwén xǐhuān.	我喜歡中文。 wǒ xǐhuān Zhōngwén. 我對中文有興趣。 wǒ duì Zhōngwén yǒu xìngqù.	喜歡 takes a direct object. 對 works well with 有興趣, 很好奇, 很熟悉, and similar phrases.

Quick Curious Bit: 在, 裡, 上, And Why Mandarin Adds Location Words

English says “in the room.” Mandarin often says 在房間裡 zài fángjiān lǐ — literally “at room inside.” English says “on the table.” Mandarin says 在桌子上 zài zhuōzi shàng — “at table top.” The location word makes the relationship clearer.

房間裡 fángjiān lǐ — inside the room. 我在房間裡念書。wǒ zài fángjiān lǐ niànshū. — I study inside the room.

桌子上 zhuōzi shàng — on the table. 杯子在桌子上。bēizi zài zhuōzi shàng. — The cup is on the table.

Practice: Build Your Own Sentences

Swap one piece at a time. This is how patterns become automatic instead of decorative grammar furniture.

Frame	Try This	Answer
我在 ___ 喝咖啡。 wǒ zài ___ hē kāfēi.	at home	我在家喝咖啡。 wǒ zài jiā hē kāfēi. — I drink coffee at home.
我跟 ___ 吃飯。 wǒ gēn ___ chīfàn.	my friend	我跟朋友吃飯。 wǒ gēn péngyǒu chīfàn. — I eat with my friend.
請用 ___ 說。 qǐng yòng ___ shuō.	Chinese	請用中文說。 qǐng yòng Zhōngwén shuō. — Please say it in Chinese.
我從 ___ 來。 wǒ cóng ___ lái.	Taiwan	我從台灣來。 wǒ cóng Táiwān lái. — I come from Taiwan.
請把 ___ 關上。 qǐng bǎ ___ guānshàng.	the window	請把窗戶關上。 qǐng bǎ chuānghù guānshàng. — Please close the window.

Quick Reference Summary

在 zài — at, in, on. 我在家。wǒ zài jiā. — I am at home.
從 cóng — from. 我從台灣來。wǒ cóng Táiwān lái. — I come from Taiwan.
到 dào — to, until. 我到學校去。wǒ dào xuéxiào qù. — I go to school.
跟 gēn — with. 我跟朋友聊天。wǒ gēn péngyǒu liáotiān. — I chat with friends.
給 gěi — to, for. 我給你買茶。wǒ gěi nǐ mǎi chá. — I buy tea for you.
對 duì — toward, to, about. 我對中文有興趣。wǒ duì Zhōngwén yǒu xìngqù. — I’m interested in Chinese.
用 yòng — using, with. 我用手機付款。wǒ yòng shǒujī fùkuǎn. — I pay with my phone.
把 bǎ — marks the handled object. 請把燈打開。qǐng bǎ dēng dǎkāi. — Please turn on the light.

Final Yak Box

Beginner Mandarin gets much easier when you stop asking “What is the English preposition?” and start asking “What relationship do I need?” Location? Use 在 zài. Source? Use 從 cóng. Destination? Use 到 dào. Person you’re doing it with? Use 跟 gēn. Tool? Use 用 yòng. Object getting handled? Time to unleash 把 bǎ, the yak of consequences.

Practice one pattern per day and reuse it with real nouns from your life: your home, your phone, your favorite café, your mysteriously judgmental cat. Traditional Chinese coverbs are small, but they hold the sentence together like grammar duct tape — cheerful, useful, and slightly bossy.