‘句式’ (jù shì) literally combines 句 (jù), meaning ‘sentence’ or ‘clause’, and 式 (shì), meaning ‘form’, ‘pattern’, or ‘style’. Together, it refers to the structural framework of a sentence—the arrangement of words, phrases, and grammatical elements that conveys meaning in a predictable way. It’s a foundational concept in Chinese grammar instruction, used to describe recurring constructions like ‘把’-sentences, passive ‘被’-sentences, comparative ‘比’-sentences, or rhetorical patterns like parallelism.

Learners encounter 句式 when analyzing how native speakers express ideas efficiently and naturally—not just what words are used, but how they’re ordered and connected. Mastery of common 句式 helps learners move beyond word-by-word translation and produce fluent, idiomatic speech and writing. Teachers often present new vocabulary within high-frequency 句式 to reinforce both form and function simultaneously.