Time Word Position (Before Verb)

In Chinese, time words are "anchors." They anchor the action to a specific moment. This anchor must come before the verb. It is like a train track. The time word is the track, and the verb is the train. The train cannot go where there is no track yet! You can place the time word in two spots: right after the subject or right before the subject. But it almost never goes at the very end of the sentence. This is the biggest hurdle for English speakers. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are tired, but you can master it with a little practice. Think of it like a grammar traffic light: the time word is the green light that lets the verb go.

1. 1Building a sentence with time is like building a sandwich. You just need to follow these steps:
2. 2Start with your Subject (the person or thing doing the action).
3. 3Add your Time Word (when it happens).
4. 4Add your Verb (the action).
5. 5Finish with the Object (what is being acted upon).
6. 6Structure: Subject + Time + Verb + Object.
7. 7Example: wǒ (I) + jīntiān (today) + chī (eat) + miànbiāo (bread).
8. 8Alternatively, you can put the time first for emphasis:
9. 9Structure: Time + Subject + Verb + Object.
10. 10Example: jīntiān (today) + wǒ (I) + chī (eat) + miànbiāo (bread).

You use this pattern every single time you want to say when something happens.

• Ordering food: wǒ xiànzài yào kāfēi (I want coffee now).
• Asking directions: wǒ míngtiān qù huǒchēzhàn (I am going to the station tomorrow).
• Job interviews: wǒ bā diǎn dào (I arrive at 8:00).
• Meeting friends: wǒmen xīngqīliù jiànmiàn (We meet on Saturday).

If you are talking about a specific point on the calendar or clock, this rule applies. It makes your sentences clear and logical. It is like giving your listener a heads-up so they know which "file cabinet" in their brain to open before you give them the information.

Don't confuse "point in time" with "duration." This is a classic trap!

• Point in time (When): "I eat at 5:00." (Use this rule).
• Duration (How long): "I eat for one hour." (Do NOT use this rule).

Duration words usually go after the verb. If you say wǒ sān xiǎoshí xuéxí, it sounds like you are saying "I at 3 o'clock study" rather than "I study for three hours." Also, avoid putting time words at the end of the sentence like you do in English. If you say wǒ chī fàn bā diǎn, people might think you are eating eight o'clock for dinner. That is a very crunchy meal!

The "English Ghost" is your biggest enemy here. English speakers love putting time at the end.

• ✗ wǒ qù xuéxiào míngtiān (I go to school tomorrow - Wrong!)
• ✓ wǒ míngtiān qù xuéxiào (I tomorrow go to school - Right!)

Another mistake is forgetting that "now" (xiànzài) is also a time word. It follows the same rule. Don't let its short size fool you; it still needs to be before that verb. Finally, if you have multiple time words (like "Monday at 5:00"), always go from biggest to smallest: xīngqīyī bā diǎn (Monday 8:00).

This pattern is very similar to how we use location words. In Chinese, both "When" and "Where" happen before the action.

• Time: wǒ bā diǎn chī fàn (I at 8:00 eat).
• Location: wǒ zài jiā chī fàn (I at home eat).
• Both: wǒ bā diǎn zài jiā chī fàn (I at 8:00 at home eat).

Notice the logic? You define the time, then the place, then finally the action. It is like zooming in on a map before you describe what is happening on the street corner.