Difference between revisions of "Tag questions with "ma""
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− | As well as [[Yes-no questions with "ma"|yes / no questions]], you can also form tag questions with 吗 (ma). Tag questions are quick questions that are tagged on the end of a sentence to ask for confirmation. In English, this is often done with "right?" | + | As well as [[Yes-no questions with "ma"|yes/no questions]], you can also form tag questions with 吗 (ma). Tag questions are quick questions that are tagged on the end of a sentence to ask for confirmation. In English, this is often done with "right?" or negatively with "isn't it?" |
The easiest way to do this in Chinese is to add some kind of confirmation word and 吗 (ma) on the end of the sentence. | The easiest way to do this in Chinese is to add some kind of confirmation word and 吗 (ma) on the end of the sentence. | ||
− | + | == Structure == | |
− | + | As you can see below, the pattern typically involves words like 好 (hǎo), 对 (duì), 是 (shì), or 可以 (kěyǐ), followed by 吗 (ma). | |
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
− | + | ⋯⋯, 好 / 对 / 是 / 可以 + 吗? | |
</div> | </div> | ||
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By placing these on the end of a sentence, you can soften a suggestion or request confirmation. | By placing these on the end of a sentence, you can soften a suggestion or request confirmation. | ||
− | + | == Examples == | |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
− | * 这样 做,<em>对 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Zhèyàng zuò, <em>duì ma</em>?</span><span class="trans"> | + | * 这样 做,<em>对 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Zhèyàng zuò, <em>duì ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Do it like this, right?</span> |
− | * 你们 | + | * 你们 见 过,<em>对 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Nǐmen jiàn guo, <em>duì ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">You’ve met, right?</span> |
− | * 他们 昨天 都 没 去, <em>是 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Tāmen zuótiān dōu méi qù, <em>shì ma</em>?</span> <span class="trans"> | + | * 他们 昨天 都 没 去, <em>是 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Tāmen zuótiān dōu méi qù, <em>shì ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">They didn't go yesterday, right?</span> |
− | * 你 没 来 过, <em>是 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ méi lái | + | * 你 没 来 过, <em>是 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ méi lái guo, <em>shì ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">You haven't been here, right?</span> |
− | * 你 喜欢 我妹妹, <em>是 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ xǐhuan wǒ mèimei, <em>shì ma</em>?</span> <span class="trans">You like my younger sister, | + | * 你 喜欢 我妹妹, <em>是 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ xǐhuan wǒ mèimei, <em>shì ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">You like my younger sister, huh?</span> |
− | * | + | * 我们 去 你 家 , <em>好 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen qù nǐ jiā, <em>hǎo ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Let's go to your place, OK?</span> |
− | * | + | * 不要 告诉 他 , <em>好 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin"> Bùyào gàosu tā, <em>hǎo ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Don't tell him, OK?</span> |
− | * | + | * 今天 我们 都 不 喝酒, <em>好 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Jīntiān wǒmen dōu bù hējiǔ, <em>hǎo ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Let's all not drink alcohol today, OK?</span> |
− | * 我 现在 想 去 洗手间, <em>可以 吗</em> ?<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiànzài xiǎng qù xǐshǒujiān, <em>kěyǐ ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">I want to go to the bathroom now.Is | + | * 我 现在 想 去 洗手间, <em>可以 吗</em> ?<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiànzài xiǎng qù xǐshǒujiān, <em>kěyǐ ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">I want to go to the bathroom now. Is that OK?</span> |
− | * 妈妈,我 要 吃 巧克力 , <em>可以 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Māma, wǒ yào chī qiǎokèlì, <em>kěyǐ ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Mom, I want to eat chocolate | + | * 妈妈,我 要 吃 巧克力 , <em>可以 吗</em> ? <span class="pinyin">Māma, wǒ yào chī qiǎokèlì, <em>kěyǐ ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Mom, I want to eat chocolate. May I?</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
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== Sources and Further Reading == | == Sources and Further Reading == | ||
− | + | {{Source|HSK Standard Course 2|60}} | |
− | + | {{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|144-45}} | |
− | + | {{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)|218}} | |
+ | {{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|106}} | ||
[[Category:A1 grammar points]] | [[Category:A1 grammar points]] | ||
+ | {{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}} | ||
{{Used for|Asking questions}} | {{Used for|Asking questions}} | ||
{{Used for|Requesting}} | {{Used for|Requesting}} | ||
− | {{Basic Grammar|吗|A1| | + | {{Basic Grammar|吗|A1|⋯⋯是吗 / 对吗 / 好吗 ?|这样 做, <em>对 吗</em> ?|grammar point|ASGSJYZ2}} |
{{Rel char|对}} | {{Rel char|对}} | ||
{{Rel char|好}} | {{Rel char|好}} |
Latest revision as of 08:54, 21 April 2021
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
As well as yes/no questions, you can also form tag questions with 吗 (ma). Tag questions are quick questions that are tagged on the end of a sentence to ask for confirmation. In English, this is often done with "right?" or negatively with "isn't it?"
The easiest way to do this in Chinese is to add some kind of confirmation word and 吗 (ma) on the end of the sentence.
Structure
As you can see below, the pattern typically involves words like 好 (hǎo), 对 (duì), 是 (shì), or 可以 (kěyǐ), followed by 吗 (ma).
⋯⋯, 好 / 对 / 是 / 可以 + 吗?
By placing these on the end of a sentence, you can soften a suggestion or request confirmation.
Examples
- 这样 做,对 吗 ? Do it like this, right?
- 你们 见 过,对 吗 ? You’ve met, right?
- 他们 昨天 都 没 去, 是 吗 ? They didn't go yesterday, right?
- 你 没 来 过, 是 吗 ? You haven't been here, right?
- 你 喜欢 我妹妹, 是 吗 ? You like my younger sister, huh?
- 我们 去 你 家 , 好 吗 ? Let's go to your place, OK?
- 不要 告诉 他 , 好 吗 ? Don't tell him, OK?
- 今天 我们 都 不 喝酒, 好 吗 ? Let's all not drink alcohol today, OK?
- 我 现在 想 去 洗手间, 可以 吗 ?I want to go to the bathroom now. Is that OK?
- 妈妈,我 要 吃 巧克力 , 可以 吗 ? Mom, I want to eat chocolate. May I?
See also
Sources and Further Reading
- HSK Standard Course 2 (pp. 60) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 144-45) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1) (pp. 218) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 106) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy