Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Chinese grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about jīntiān wǒ qù xuéxiào.
Why is 今天 at the start? Could it go elsewhere?
Yes. Time words usually go before the verb, either before or after the subject. Both 今天我去学校 and 我今天去学校 are natural. Sentence-initial 今天 slightly emphasizes “today” as the topic. Putting it after the verb is unnatural.
Do I need a word for “to” before 学校?
No. 去 already means “go to.” The pattern is 去 + place: 去学校.
Why is there no “the/a” before 学校?
Chinese has no articles. 学校 can mean “school” or “the school” depending on context. To be specific, add a demonstrative or name, e.g., 这所学校, 那所学校, 北京大学.
Should I use 是 in this sentence?
No. 是 links nouns/adjectives (e.g., 我是老师). Don’t put 是 before action verbs. 今天我是去学校 is wrong. A special past-focus pattern 是…的 exists (e.g., 我是去学校的), but that’s for emphasizing details, not a neutral statement.
How do I show past vs. future?
Add aspect or modal words:
- Past (completed today): 今天我去了学校。
- New situation/result for the listener: 今天我去学校了。
- Planned/expected future: 今天我要去学校。/ 今天我会去学校。
- About to go/going now: 我现在去学校。 or 我在去学校的路上。
What’s the difference between 去了学校 and 去学校了?
- 去了学校 focuses on the action being completed (“went”).
- 去学校了 (sentence-final 了) presents a new situation (“has gone/is off to school”), often implying the person is not here now or is leaving.
How do I negate it: “not going” vs. “didn’t go”?
- Not going (plan/habit/future): 今天我不去学校。
- Didn’t go (past event): 今天我没去学校。 Use 不 for general/planned negation; 没(有) for past/completed actions.
What’s the difference between 去 and 来?
Use 去 for movement away from the speaker’s current location; 来 for movement toward the speaker:
- From home (to campus): 我今天去学校。
- Talking to someone already at school: 我今天来学校。
How is 到 different from 去?
- 去学校 = the act of going to school.
- 到学校 as a verb emphasizes arrival: 我到学校了。 You can also say 到学校去上课. For a neutral “go to school,” 去学校 is the default.
Is there a difference between 去学校 and 上学?
Yes:
- 去学校 emphasizes physically going to the place.
- 上学 means “attend/have school (as a student).” Examples: 今天我去学校。 (go to campus) vs. 今天我不上学。 (I don’t have school today). You can say 去学校上课 to stress attending class.
Where do adverbs like 也, 都, 常常, 可能 go?
They go after the subject (and usually after the time word) and before the verb:
- 我今天也去学校。
- 我们今天都去学校。
- 我今天可能去学校。
Can I omit the subject 我?
Yes, if context makes it clear. 今天去学校。 is fine in schedules, messages, or replies where “I” is understood.
How do I make this a yes/no question?
Two common ways:
- 你今天去学校吗？
- 你今天去不去学校？ (A-not-A pattern)
Any pronunciation tips for 去 and 学校 (and 今天)?
- 去 qù: q = a “che”-like sound with the tongue against the hard palate; the “u” here is actually ü [y] (after j/q/x/y, ü is written as u), so pronounce it like qü.
- 学 xué / 校 xiào: x is a soft “sh” made with a smile; tones 2 then 4.
- 今天 jīntiān: both first tone.
How can I add purpose or make it “a quick trip”?
- Add purpose after the place: 今天我去学校上课/开会/见老师。
- For “a quick/one trip,” use a trip measure word: 我今天去趟学校。/ 我今天去一趟学校。
Do I need a measure word with 学校?
Not here. For counting, the common classifier is 所: 一所学校, 这所学校. Colloquial 一个学校 is heard, but 所 is preferred in careful speech.