Noun-Predicate Sentences in Chinese
主谓句：名词谓语句
A noun-predicate sentence uses a noun, time expression, age, or quantity phrase as the predicate of a subject-predicate sentence. Mandarin can omit 是 when the predicate directly identifies a date, time, nationality, age, or other nominal property. Degree adverbs do not normally modify the noun predicate.
Published August 10, 2026
Reviewed August 10, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Subject + Nominal Predicate
Read the structure
A noun-predicate sentence uses a noun, time expression, age, or quantity phrase as the predicate of a subject-predicate sentence. Mandarin can omit 是 when the predicate directly identifies a date, time, nationality, age, or other nominal property. Degree adverbs do not normally modify the noun predicate. Keep the model Subject + Nominal Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
明天阴天。
Tomorrow will be cloudy.
Choose the right context
State a date, time, age, nationality, or nominal identity directly. Use a nominal phrase as the predicate when no copula is needed. Keep the nominal predicate intact after its subject.
他中国人。
He is Chinese.
Respect the boundary
Do not insert 很 before an ordinary noun predicate. Do not assume every identification requires omitting 是. Do not leave a copula stranded after the predicate.
他很中国人。
(He very Chinese person.)
Repair the pattern
A degree adverb modifies a noun: 很 normally modifies an adjective predicate, not the bare nominal predicate 中国人. The copula is stranded after the predicate: A noun-predicate sentence ends with its nominal predicate; a trailing 是 has no following complement.
他中国人。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
明天阴天。
Tomorrow will be cloudy.
明天
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
阴天
Nominal Predicate
This part occupies the Nominal Predicate position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
明天阴天。
Tomorrow will be cloudy.
他中国人。
He is Chinese.
现在八点二十分。
It is 8:20 now.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- State a date, time, age, nationality, or nominal identity directly.
- Use a nominal phrase as the predicate when no copula is needed.
- Keep the nominal predicate intact after its subject.
Do not use it when
- Do not insert 很 before an ordinary noun predicate.
- Do not assume every identification requires omitting 是.
- Do not leave a copula stranded after the predicate.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
他很中国人。
他中国人。
A degree adverb modifies a noun
很 normally modifies an adjective predicate, not the bare nominal predicate 中国人.
现在八点二十分是。
现在八点二十分。
The copula is stranded after the predicate
A noun-predicate sentence ends with its nominal predicate; a trailing 是 has no following complement.
他很中国人。
很 normally modifies an adjective predicate, not the bare nominal predicate 中国人.
现在八点二十分是。
A noun-predicate sentence ends with its nominal predicate; a trailing 是 has no following complement.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 主谓句：名词谓语句.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 主谓句：名词谓语句. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Noun-Predicate Sentences Questions
Does a noun predicate always omit 是?
No. 是 is required in many identification and focus constructions. This item covers the direct nominal predicates listed in the official level-2 examples.
Can an age be a noun predicate?
Yes. Age expressions such as 二十岁 can directly predicate a subject in the same way as a time or nationality expression.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 2 item 【二54】, PDF p. 193 (printed p. 187)
Lists noun-predicate sentences and gives direct time, nationality, and clock-time examples.
Official source现代汉语语法课程讲义
包头师范学院 · 包头师范学院 · 2024
Locator: Sentence types, pp. 42–43
Defines a noun-predicate sentence as a subject-predicate sentence whose predicate is a nominal word or phrase.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Continue learning
名词性词语作谓语Nominal Expressions as Predicates
Extend direct noun predicates into a broader inventory of nominal predicate functions.
Compare
动词/形容词作谓语Basic Verb and Adjective Predicates
Compare a nominal predicate with the ordinary predicate categories used in simple sentences.
Learn first
是字句是 Sentences: Identification
Review identification with 是 before choosing a direct nominal predicate in context.
Compare
动词性短语Verbal Phrases and Their Sentence Roles
Contrast a noun predicate with a verb phrase functioning as the predicate.
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Extend direct noun predicates into a broader inventory of nominal predicate functions.