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    Chinese Grammar

    Placing a complement before the head (head-final constructions)

    Description & Modification
    Sequence & Order

    Structure

    Complement + Head

    Explanation

    In Chinese, complements often appear before the head word they modify, reflecting the language's head-final tendencies. This means that descriptive or qualifying elements precede the main noun or verb they belong to. This ordering is the opposite of English and is fundamental to Chinese phrase structure.

    Examples

    • 很重要的一件事情被你忘了。

      Hěn zhòngyào de yī jiàn shìqíng bèi nǐ wàng le.

      You forgot something very important.

    • 经济发展的速度越来越快。

      Jīngjì fāzhǎn de sùdù yuè lái yuè kuài.

      The pace of economic development is getting faster and faster.

    • 认真学习的学生都能考好。

      Rènzhēn xuéxí de xuéshēng dōu néng kǎo hǎo.

      Students who study diligently can all do well on exams.

    Placing a complement before the head (head-final constructions) | Chinese Grammar