Pattern
Time + subject + verb / Subject + time + verb
Core idea
Mandarin puts the time before the action. The time can frame the whole sentence from the beginning, or it can come after the subject before the verb phrase.
This differs from English, where time phrases often appear at the end.
Placement rule
When a sentence feels awkward, check whether an English time phrase has been left at the end. Moving it before the verb often makes the Mandarin sentence clearer.
Both sentence-initial time and subject-plus-time are common. Sentence-initial time makes the time frame feel more prominent; subject-plus-time keeps the subject as the first anchor.
When both time and place appear, beginner Mandarin usually puts time before place, and both come before the main event.
What not to copy from English
Do not park the time after the whole verb phrase just because English allows it there. In Mandarin, time usually sets up the event before the event is said.
Examples
我明天去台北。
Wǒ míngtiān qù Táiběi.
I am going to Taipei tomorrow.
The time word comes before the verb.
今天他不在家。
Jīntiān tā bú zài jiā.
Today he is not at home.
Putting time first makes it the frame for the sentence.
我们晚上吃饭。
Wǒmen wǎnshàng chīfàn.
We eat in the evening.
Common mistakes
Avoid
我去台北明天。
Use
我明天去台北。
Mandarin normally places the time before the verb phrase, not at the end.
Avoid
我去明天台北。
Use
我明天去台北。
The time word should not interrupt 去 and its destination.
Seen in stories
The Morning Ferry
星期六早上，阿海和小文去码头。
On Saturday morning, Ahai and Xiaowen go to the pier.
The Morning Ferry
九点的渡轮要去小岛。
The nine o’clock ferry is going to the island.
The Morning Ferry
八点半，他们还在早餐店买水。
At eight thirty, they are still buying water at the breakfast shop.
The Morning Ferry
八点五十，他们跑到码头。
At eight fifty, they run to the pier.
The Morning Ferry
船长问：“你们要坐九点的船吗？”
The captain asks, “Are you taking the nine o’clock boat?”
Show 12 more story examples
The Breakfast Shop Line
早上七点，小晴到早餐店。
At seven in the morning, Xiaoqing arrives at the breakfast shop.
The Breakfast Shop Line
老板七点半才开门。
The owner does not open until seven thirty.
The Breakfast Shop Line
阿哲说：“我们八点要上课。”
Azhe says, “We have class at eight.”
The Park Plan
星期六早上，小安和小美要去公园。
On Saturday morning, Xiao An and Xiaomei are going to the park.
The Park Plan
他们八点看天气。
At eight, they check the weather.
The Park Plan
小美说：“九点再去吧。”
Xiaomei says, “Let’s go at nine.”
The Park Plan
九点，太阳出来了。
At nine, the sun comes out.
The Taxi at Eight
晚上八点，小安和小美在门口等出租车。
At eight in the evening, Xiao An and Xiaomei wait for a taxi at the door.
The Taxi at Eight
出租车八点十分还没有来。
At eight ten, the taxi still has not come.
The Clock Above the Noodle Shop
早上七点，小安来到灯笼巷。
At seven in the morning, Xiao An comes to Lantern Lane.
The Clock Above the Noodle Shop
陈叔八点来开店，却发现大家已经在门口等。
Uncle Chen comes to open the shop at eight, but finds everyone already waiting at the door.
The Clock Above the Noodle Shop
上午九点，他们一起把钟修好了。
At nine in the morning, they fix the clock together.