1. Home
  2. Grammar Points
  3. Advanced yes-no questions with 吗 ("ma")

Advanced yes-no questions with 吗 ("ma")

ma

Particle
HSK 3

Structure

Statement + 吗 ? Confirmation + Question + 吗 ?

Definition

(ma) 是汉语中用于构成是非疑问句的句末语气词。将其附加在陈述句末尾,即可将陈述句转变为询问对方是否认同或确认的疑问句。

(ma) is a sentence-final question particle used in Mandarin Chinese to form yes-no questions. Placing it at the end of a declarative sentence turns it into a question that asks for confirmation or a yes/no answer.

Usage

使用方式:将直接加在陈述句的末尾。句子语调通常上升。高级用法中,可以用于各种复杂句型,包括含有修饰语或复合谓语的句子。

Usage: Simply add to the end of a declarative sentence. The intonation usually rises. In advanced usage, can be used with various complex sentence structures, including those with modifiers or compound predicates.

Examples

  • 1 你是学生? (Are you a student?)
  • 2 他会说中文? (Can he speak Chinese?)
  • 3 这本书是你的? (Is this book yours?)
  • 4 你明天去北京? (Are you going to Beijing tomorrow?)
  • 5 他吃过饭了? (Has he eaten yet?)

Put it into practice

Exam-style HSK drills with instant scoring and explanations.

Find my HSK level

Free · about 3 minutes · no account needed