Difference between revisions of "Placement of question words"
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Question words are one way to form questions in Chinese. In English, question words are also known as ''wh-words'', as the majority of them begin with ''wh'':
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{{Grammar Box}}
 +
 
 +
''Who'', ''what'', ''when'', ''where'', ''why'', and ''how'': these question words are all used when forming questions in Chinese. The important thing to remember is that [[word order]] is the same in Chinese for questions and statements.
 +
 +
== Overview ==
 +
 
 +
=== Common Question Words List ===
 +
 
 +
In English, question words are also known as ''wh-words'', as the majority of them begin with ''wh'':
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
{| class="wikitable"
+
* 什么 <span class="pinyin">shénme</span><span class="trans">what</span>
−
|+Question words
+
* 哪里 、 哪儿 <span class="pinyin">nǎlǐ, nǎr</span><span class="trans">where</span>
−
|-
+
* 哪个<span class="pinyin">nǎge</span><span class="trans">which</span>
−
! English !! Chinese !! Pinyin
+
* 谁 <span class="expl">In spoken Chinese, people normally say "shéi," not "shuí"</span><span class="pinyin">shéi</span><span class="trans">who</span>
−
|-
+
* 什么时候 <span class="pinyin">shénme shíhou</span><span class="trans">when</span>
−
| who || 谁 || shéi
+
* 为什么 <span class="pinyin">wèishénme</span><span class="trans">why</span>
−
|-
+
* 怎么 <span class="pinyin">zěnme</span><span class="trans">how</span>
−
| what || 什么 || shénme
+
* 多少 <span class="pinyin">duōshao</span><span class="trans">how many / how much</span>
−
|-
 
−
| where || 哪里 || nǎli
 
−
|-
 
−
| when || 什么时候 || <span class="spaced">shénme shíhou</span>
 
−
|-
 
−
| why || 为什么 || wèishénme
 
−
|-
 
−
| how || 怎么 || zěnme
 
−
|}
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
In English, question words have to be placed at the beginning of the sentence. This involves changing the [[word order]] to allow this rearrangement. In Chinese, using question words is a lot simpler. You simply place a question word in the place of the thing you want to ask about. Nothing needs to be rearranged.
+
=== Rules ===
 +
 
 +
In English, question words have to be placed at the beginning of the sentence. This involves changing the [[word order]] to allow this rearrangement. In Chinese, using question words is a lot simpler. You simply place a question word in the place of the thing you want to ask about. ''Nothing needs to be rearranged.''
  
 
So if the statement is
 
So if the statement is
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
* 你 是 小李。
+
* 我 是 <em>小李</em> 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ shì <em>Xiǎo Lǐ</em>.</span><span class="trans">I am Xiao Li.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
−
* 你 是 谁？
+
* 你 是 <em>谁</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ shì <em>shéi</em>?</span><span class="trans">Who are you? (you are who?)</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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This works for whatever it is you want to ask about. The question form has the same word order as the statement form.
 
This works for whatever it is you want to ask about. The question form has the same word order as the statement form.
  
−
An example for asking and telling ''what'':
+
== Expressing "What" with 什么 (shénme) ==
 +
 
 +
=== Structure ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
 
 +
Subj. + Verb + 什么 + (Noun) ?
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
=== Examples ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 这 是 <em>什么</em>？<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì <em>shénme</em>?</span><span class="trans">What is this?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>这 是 <em>我 的 iPad</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì <em>wǒ de iPad</em>.</span><span class="trans">This is my iPad.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 喜欢 吃 <em>什么</em> 菜？<span class="pinyin"> Nǐ xǐhuan chī <em>shénme</em> cài?</span><span class="trans">What kind of food do you like?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 喜欢 吃 <em>中国 菜</em>。<span class="pinyin"> Wǒ xǐhuan chī <em>Zhōngguó cài</em>.</span><span class="trans">I like Chinese food.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 用 <em>什么</em> 手机？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yòng <em>shénme</em> shǒujī?</span><span class="trans">What kind of cell phone do you use?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 用 <em>iPhone</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ yòng <em>iPhone</em>.</span><span class="trans">I use an iPhone.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 在 看 <em>什么</em> 书？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zài kàn <em>shénme</em> shū?</span><span class="trans">What kind of book are you reading?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 在 看 <em>小说</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài kàn <em>xiǎoshuō</em>.</span><span class="trans">I am reading a novel.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>他 开 <em>什么</em> 车？<span class="pinyin">Tā kāi <em>shénme</em> chē?</span><span class="trans"> What kind of car does he drive?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>他 开 <em>宝马</em>。<span class="pinyin"> Tā kāi <em>Bǎomǎ</em>.</span><span class="trans">He drives a BMW.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
== Expressing "Where" with 哪里 (nǎlǐ) / 哪儿 (nǎr) ==
 +
 
 +
The words 哪里 (nǎlǐ) and 哪儿 (nǎr) mean the same thing. The difference is simply regional preference: 哪里 (nǎlǐ) is preferred in the south (Shanghai, Taiwan), whereas 哪儿 (nǎr) is preferred in the north (Beijing, Xi'an).
 +
 
 +
=== Structure ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
 
 +
Subj. + Verb + 哪里 / 哪儿 ?
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
=== Examples ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 在 <em>哪里</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zài <em>nǎlǐ</em>?</span><span class="trans">Where are you?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 在 <em>家</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài <em>jiā</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm at home.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 要 去 <em>哪儿</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yào qù <em>nǎr</em>?</span><span class="trans">Where are you going now?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 要 去 <em>洗手间</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ yào qù <em>xǐshǒujiān</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm going to the bathroom.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>我们 在 <em>哪儿</em>？<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen zài <em>nǎr</em>?</span><span class="trans">Where are we?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我们 在 <em>南京西路</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen zài <em>Nánjīng Xī Lù</em>.</span><span class="trans">We are at West Nanjing road.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 这 个 周末 你 想 去 <em>哪儿</em>？<span class="pinyin">Zhège zhōumò nǐ xiǎng qù <em>nǎr</em>?</span><span class="trans">Where do you want to go this weekend?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 想 去 <em>公园</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiǎng qù <em>gōngyuán</em>.</span><span class="trans">I want to go to the park.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你好，你 要 去 <em>哪儿</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐhǎo, nǐ yào qù <em>nǎr</em>?</span><span class="trans">Hello, where do you want to go?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 要 去 <em>外滩</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ yào qù <em>Wàitān</em>.</span><span class="trans">I want to go to the Bund.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
== Expressing "Which" with 哪个 (nǎge) ==
 +
 
 +
=== Structure ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + Verb + 哪个 (+ Noun) ?
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
=== Examples ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 要 <em>哪个</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yào <em>nǎge</em>?</span><span class="trans">Which one do you want?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 要 <em>这个</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ yào <em>zhège</em>.</span><span class="trans">I want this one.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 喜欢 <em>哪 个 菜</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ xǐhuan <em>nǎge cài</em>?</span><span class="trans">Which dish do you like?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 喜欢 <em>这 个 菜</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xǐhuan <em>zhège cài</em>.</span><span class="trans">I like this dish.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 我们 去 <em>哪 个 饭店</em>？<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen qù <em>nǎge fàndiàn</em>? </span><span class="trans">Which restaurant are we going to? </span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我们 去 <em>你 妈妈 的 饭店</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen qù <em>nǐ māma de fàndiàn</em>.</span><span class="trans">We are going to your mom's restaurant.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 在 <em>哪 个 房间</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zài <em>nǎge fángjiān</em>? </span><span class="trans">Which room are you in? </span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 在 <em>你 的 房间</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài <em> nǐ de fángjiān</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm in your room.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 住 在 <em>哪 个 区</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zhù zài <em>nǎge qū</em>? </span><span class="trans">Which district do you live in? </span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 住 在 <em>静安 区</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zhù zài <em> Jìng'ān Qū </em>.</span><span class="trans">I live in Jing'an District.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
== Expressing "Who" with 谁 (shéi) ==
 +
 
 +
=== Structure ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
Subj. + 是 + 谁 ?
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
谁 + Verb ?
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
=== Examples ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 是 <em>谁</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ shì <em>shéi</em>?</span><span class="trans">Who are you?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 是 <em>他 女朋友</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ shì <em>tā nǚpéngyou</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm his girlfriend.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>她 是 <em>谁</em>？<span class="pinyin">Tā shì <em>shéi</em>?</span><span class="trans">Who is she?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>她 是 <em>我的老师</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā shì <em>wǒ de lǎoshī</em>.</span><span class="trans">She‘s my teacher.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 不 喜欢 <em>谁</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ bù xǐhuan  <em>shéi</em>?</span><span class="trans">Who do you not like?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 不 喜欢 <em>我 的 老板</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ bù xǐhuan <em>wǒ de lǎobǎn</em>.</span><span class="trans">I don't like my boss.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span><em>谁</em> 想 去？<span class="pinyin"><em>Shéi</em> xiǎng qù?</span><span class="trans">Who wants to go? </span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>我</em> 想 去。<span class="pinyin"><em>Wǒ</em> xiǎng qù.</span><span class="trans">I want to go.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span><em>谁</em> 想 喝 咖啡？<span class="pinyin"><em>Shéi</em> xiǎng hē kāfēi?</span><span class="trans">Who wants to drink coffee?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>我</em> 想 喝 咖啡。<span class="pinyin"><em>Wǒ</em> xiǎng hē kāfēi.</span><span class="trans">I want to drink coffee.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
== Expressing "When" with 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) ==
 +
 
 +
=== Structure ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
 
 +
Subj. + 什么时候 + Predicate ?
 +
 
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
Examples for asking and telling ''when'' (to keep things simple, we'll just include questions about the future; asking questions about the past can be slightly more complicated and may involve the [[Using the "shi... de" construction|"shi... de" construction]]).
 +
 
 +
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>什么时候</em> 来 ？ <span class="pinyin">Nǐ shénme shíhou lái?</span><span class="trans">When are you coming?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>明天</em> 来。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ míngtiān lái.</span><span class="trans">I'm coming tomorrow.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
  
−
* 这 是 <em>什么</em>？
+
<div class="liju">
−
* 这 是 <em>书</em>。
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你们 <em>什么时候</em> 走？<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen shénme shíhou zǒu?</span><span class="trans">When are you guys leaving?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我们 <em>下 个 月</em> 走。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen xià gè yuè  zǒu.</span><span class="trans">We're leaving next month.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
  
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>我们 <em>什么时候</em> 吃饭？<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen shénme shíhou chīfàn?</span><span class="trans">When are we eating?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我们 <em>6 点</em> 吃饭。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen liù diǎn chīfàn.</span><span class="trans">We're eating at 6:00.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
An example for asking and telling ''where'':
+
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>爸爸 <em>什么时候</em> 回来？<span class="pinyin">Bàba shénme shíhou huílái?</span><span class="trans">When is dad coming back?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>爸爸 <em>周末</em> 回来。<span class="pinyin">Bàba zhōumò huílái.</span><span class="trans">Dad is coming back this weekend.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 的 飞机 <em>什么时候</em> 到 上海？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de fēijī shénme shíhou dào Shànghǎi?</span><span class="trans">When is your airplane arriving in Shanghai?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>晚上 八点</em>。<span class="pinyin"> Wǎnshang bā diǎn.</span><span class="trans">Eight o'clock this evening.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 +
== Expressing "Why" with 为什么 (wèishénme) ==
 +
 +
=== Structure ===
 +
 +
<div class="jiegou">
  
−
* 你 在 <em>哪里</em>？
+
Subj. + 为什么 + Predicate ?
−
* 你 在 <em>北京</em>。
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
An example for asking and telling ''when'':
+
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>为什么</em> 学 中文？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>wèishénme</em> xué Zhōngwén?</span><span class="trans">Why do you study Chinese?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>因为</em> 我 在 中国 工作。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> wǒ zài Zhōngguó gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans"> Because I'm working in China.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
  
−
* 你 <em>什么时候</em> 来了？
+
<div class="liju">
−
* 你 <em>昨天</em> 来了。
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>他们 <em>为什么</em> 不 喝 咖啡？<span class="pinyin">Tāmen <em>wèishénme</em> bù hē kāfēi?</span><span class="trans">Why don't you drink coffee?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>因为</em> 咖啡 很 苦。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> kāfēi hěn kǔ.</span><span class="trans">Because coffee is bitter.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
  
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>他 <em>为什么</em> 不 来？<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>wèishénme</em> bù lái?</span><span class="trans">Why isn't he coming?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>因为</em> 他 很 忙。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> tā hěn máng.</span><span class="trans">Because he is busy.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
An example for asking and telling ''why'':
+
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 早上 <em>为什么</em> 不 在？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zǎoshang <em>wèishénme</em> bù zài?</span><span class="trans">Why were you not here this morning? </span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>因为</em> 我 出去 见 朋友 了。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> wǒ chūqù jiàn péngyou le.</span><span class="trans">Because I went out to meet some friends.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>这些 外国人 <em>为什么</em> 不 喜欢 中国？<span class="pinyin">Zhèxiē wàiguó rén <em>wèishénme</em> bù xǐhuan Zhōngguó?</span><span class="trans">Why do these foreigners not like China? </span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>因为</em> 中国 人 太多。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> Zhōngguó rén tài duō.</span><span class="trans">Because China has a lot of people.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
 +
 +
== Expressing "How" with 怎么 (zěnme) ==
 +
 +
=== Structure ===
 +
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
 +
Subj. + 怎么 + Verb (+ Obj.) ?
 +
 +
</div>
  
−
* 你 <em>为什么</em> 学 中文？
+
=== Examples ===
−
* 你 <em>为了 工作</em> 学 中文。
 
  
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>怎么</em> 学习 中文？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zěnme</em> xuéxí Zhōngwén?</span><span class="trans">How do you study Chinese?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>用  <span class="spaced">Grammar Wiki</span></em> 学习 中文 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yòng Grammar Wiki</em> xuéxí Zhōngwén.</span><span class="trans">I use the Grammar Wiki to study Chinese.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
An example for asking and telling ''how'':
+
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>怎么</em> 上网？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zěnme</em> shàngwǎng?</span><span class="trans">How do you go online?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>用 手机</em> 上网。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yòng shǒujī</em> shàngwǎng.</span><span class="trans">I use my cell phone to go online.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>怎么</em> 去 北京？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zěnme</em> qù Běijīng?</span><span class="trans">How do you go to Beijing? </span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>坐 火车</em> 去。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>zuò huǒchē</em> qù.</span><span class="trans">I take the train.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
  
−
* 你 <em>怎么</em> 学习 中文？
+
<div class="liju">
−
* 你 <em>用 课本</em> 学习 中文。
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你们 <em>怎么</em> 回家 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>zěnme</em> huíjiā?</span><span class="trans">How are you guys going to get home?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>开车</em> 回家。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>kāichē</em> huíjiā.</span><span class="trans">I‘m driving home.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</div>
  
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>怎么</em>  买 票 ？<span class="pinyin"> Nǐ <em>zěnme</em> mǎi piào?</span><span class="trans"> How do you buy tickets?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>上网</em> 买 票 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>shàngwǎng</em> mǎi piào.</span><span class="trans">I go online to buy tickets.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Line 91: Line 379:
  
 
*[[Word order]]
 
*[[Word order]]
−
*[[Positive negative questions]]
+
*[[Affirmative-negative questions]]
−
*[[Yes - no questions with ma]]
+
*[[Yes-no questions with "ma"]]
 +
 
 +
== Sources and further reading ==
 +
 
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 1|15, 23, 66}}
 +
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)|57}}
 +
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed)|66, 251}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|46}}
 +
{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|23}}
 +
{{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|132-5}}
  
 
[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}}
 +
[[Category:Dialogs]]
 +
{{Basic Grammar|什么|A1|什么 / 什么时候 / 谁 / 哪儿 / 为什么 / 怎么|你 是 <em>谁</em> ？你 在 <em>哪儿</em> ？|grammar point|ASGJQPSC}}
 +
{{Rel char|什么}}
 +
{{Rel char|什么时候}}
 +
{{Rel char|谁}}
 +
{{Rel char|哪儿}}
 +
{{Rel char|为什么}}
 +
{{Rel char|怎么}}
 +
{{Similar|Word order}}
 +
{{Similar|Affirmative-negative question}}
 +
{{Similar|Yes-no questions with "ma"}}
 +
{{Similar|Basic sentence order}}   
 +
{{Similar|How to do something with "zenme"}}
 +
{{Used for|Asking questions}}
 +
{{Used for|Sentence Patterns}}
 +
{{Translation|who}}
 +
{{Translation|what}}
 +
{{Translation|where}}
 +
{{Translation|when}}
 +
{{Translation|why}}
 +
{{Translation|how}}
 +
{{Structure|Question Forms}}

Latest revision as of 09:20, 20 April 2021

Who, what, when, where, why, and how: these question words are all used when forming questions in Chinese. The important thing to remember is that word order is the same in Chinese for questions and statements.

Overview

Common Question Words List

In English, question words are also known as wh-words, as the majority of them begin with wh:

  • 什么 shénmewhat
  • 哪里 、 哪儿 nǎlǐ, nǎrwhere
  • 哪个nǎgewhich
  • 谁 In spoken Chinese, people normally say "shéi," not "shuí"shéiwho
  • 什么时候 shénme shíhouwhen
  • 为什么 wèishénmewhy
  • 怎么 zěnmehow
  • 多少 duōshaohow many / how much

Rules

In English, question words have to be placed at the beginning of the sentence. This involves changing the word order to allow this rearrangement. In Chinese, using question words is a lot simpler. You simply place a question word in the place of the thing you want to ask about. Nothing needs to be rearranged.

So if the statement is

  • 我 是 小李 。 Wǒ shì Xiǎo Lǐ.I am Xiao Li.

the question form - "who are you?" - has the same word order:

  • 你 是 谁？Nǐ shì shéi?Who are you? (you are who?)

This works for whatever it is you want to ask about. The question form has the same word order as the statement form.

Expressing "What" with 什么 (shénme)

Structure

Subj. + Verb + 什么 + (Noun) ?

Examples

  • A: 这 是 什么？Zhè shì shénme?What is this?
  • B:这 是 我 的 iPad。Zhè shì wǒ de iPad.This is my iPad.
  • A:你 喜欢 吃 什么 菜？ Nǐ xǐhuan chī shénme cài?What kind of food do you like?
  • B:我 喜欢 吃 中国 菜。 Wǒ xǐhuan chī Zhōngguó cài.I like Chinese food.
  • A:你 用 什么 手机？Nǐ yòng shénme shǒujī?What kind of cell phone do you use?
  • B:我 用 iPhone。Wǒ yòng iPhone.I use an iPhone.
  • A:你 在 看 什么 书？Nǐ zài kàn shénme shū?What kind of book are you reading?
  • B:我 在 看 小说。Wǒ zài kàn xiǎoshuō.I am reading a novel.
  • A:他 开 什么 车？Tā kāi shénme chē? What kind of car does he drive?
  • B:他 开 宝马。 Tā kāi Bǎomǎ.He drives a BMW.

Expressing "Where" with 哪里 (nǎlǐ) / 哪儿 (nǎr)

The words 哪里 (nǎlǐ) and 哪儿 (nǎr) mean the same thing. The difference is simply regional preference: 哪里 (nǎlǐ) is preferred in the south (Shanghai, Taiwan), whereas 哪儿 (nǎr) is preferred in the north (Beijing, Xi'an).

Structure

Subj. + Verb + 哪里 / 哪儿 ?

Examples

  • A:你 在 哪里？Nǐ zài nǎlǐ?Where are you?
  • B:我 在 家。Wǒ zài jiā.I'm at home.
  • A:你 要 去 哪儿？Nǐ yào qù nǎr?Where are you going now?
  • B:我 要 去 洗手间。Wǒ yào qù xǐshǒujiān.I'm going to the bathroom.
  • A:我们 在 哪儿？Wǒmen zài nǎr?Where are we?
  • B:我们 在 南京西路。Wǒmen zài Nánjīng Xī Lù.We are at West Nanjing road.
  • A: 这 个 周末 你 想 去 哪儿？Zhège zhōumò nǐ xiǎng qù nǎr?Where do you want to go this weekend?
  • B:我 想 去 公园。Wǒ xiǎng qù gōngyuán.I want to go to the park.
  • A: 你好，你 要 去 哪儿？Nǐhǎo, nǐ yào qù nǎr?Hello, where do you want to go?
  • B:我 要 去 外滩。Wǒ yào qù Wàitān.I want to go to the Bund.

Expressing "Which" with 哪个 (nǎge)

Structure

Subj. + Verb + 哪个 (+ Noun) ?

Examples

  • A:你 要 哪个？Nǐ yào nǎge?Which one do you want?
  • B:我 要 这个。Wǒ yào zhège.I want this one.
  • A:你 喜欢 哪 个 菜？Nǐ xǐhuan nǎge cài?Which dish do you like?
  • B:我 喜欢 这 个 菜。Wǒ xǐhuan zhège cài.I like this dish.
  • A: 我们 去 哪 个 饭店？Wǒmen qù nǎge fàndiàn? Which restaurant are we going to?
  • B: 我们 去 你 妈妈 的 饭店。Wǒmen qù nǐ māma de fàndiàn.We are going to your mom's restaurant.
  • A: 你 在 哪 个 房间？Nǐ zài nǎge fángjiān? Which room are you in?
  • B: 我 在 你 的 房间。Wǒ zài nǐ de fángjiān.I'm in your room.
  • A: 你 住 在 哪 个 区？Nǐ zhù zài nǎge qū? Which district do you live in?
  • B: 我 住 在 静安 区。Wǒ zhù zài Jìng'ān Qū .I live in Jing'an District.

Expressing "Who" with 谁 (shéi)

Structure

Subj. + 是 + 谁 ?

谁 + Verb ?

Examples

  • A:你 是 谁？Nǐ shì shéi?Who are you?
  • B:我 是 他 女朋友。Wǒ shì tā nǚpéngyou.I'm his girlfriend.
  • A:她 是 谁？Tā shì shéi?Who is she?
  • B:她 是 我的老师。Tā shì wǒ de lǎoshī.She‘s my teacher.
  • A:你 不 喜欢 谁？Nǐ bù xǐhuan shéi?Who do you not like?
  • B:我 不 喜欢 我 的 老板。Wǒ bù xǐhuan wǒ de lǎobǎn.I don't like my boss.
  • A:谁 想 去？Shéi xiǎng qù?Who wants to go?
  • B:我 想 去。Wǒ xiǎng qù.I want to go.
  • A:谁 想 喝 咖啡？Shéi xiǎng hē kāfēi?Who wants to drink coffee?
  • B:我 想 喝 咖啡。Wǒ xiǎng hē kāfēi.I want to drink coffee.

Expressing "When" with 什么时候 (shénme shíhou)

Structure

Subj. + 什么时候 + Predicate ?

Examples for asking and telling when (to keep things simple, we'll just include questions about the future; asking questions about the past can be slightly more complicated and may involve the "shi... de" construction).

Examples

  • A:你 什么时候 来 ？ Nǐ shénme shíhou lái?When are you coming?
  • B:我 明天 来。Wǒ míngtiān lái.I'm coming tomorrow.
  • A:你们 什么时候 走？Nǐmen shénme shíhou zǒu?When are you guys leaving?
  • B:我们 下 个 月 走。Wǒmen xià gè yuè zǒu.We're leaving next month.
  • A:我们 什么时候 吃饭？Wǒmen shénme shíhou chīfàn?When are we eating?
  • B:我们 6 点 吃饭。Wǒmen liù diǎn chīfàn.We're eating at 6:00.
  • A:爸爸 什么时候 回来？Bàba shénme shíhou huílái?When is dad coming back?
  • B:爸爸 周末 回来。Bàba zhōumò huílái.Dad is coming back this weekend.
  • A:你 的 飞机 什么时候 到 上海？Nǐ de fēijī shénme shíhou dào Shànghǎi?When is your airplane arriving in Shanghai?
  • B:晚上 八点。 Wǎnshang bā diǎn.Eight o'clock this evening.

Expressing "Why" with 为什么 (wèishénme)

Structure

Subj. + 为什么 + Predicate ?

Examples

  • A:你 为什么 学 中文？Nǐ wèishénme xué Zhōngwén?Why do you study Chinese?
  • B:因为 我 在 中国 工作。Yīnwèi wǒ zài Zhōngguó gōngzuò. Because I'm working in China.
  • A:他们 为什么 不 喝 咖啡？Tāmen wèishénme bù hē kāfēi?Why don't you drink coffee?
  • B:因为 咖啡 很 苦。Yīnwèi kāfēi hěn kǔ.Because coffee is bitter.
  • A:他 为什么 不 来？Tā wèishénme bù lái?Why isn't he coming?
  • B:因为 他 很 忙。Yīnwèi tā hěn máng.Because he is busy.
  • A:你 早上 为什么 不 在？Nǐ zǎoshang wèishénme bù zài?Why were you not here this morning?
  • B:因为 我 出去 见 朋友 了。Yīnwèi wǒ chūqù jiàn péngyou le.Because I went out to meet some friends.
  • A:这些 外国人 为什么 不 喜欢 中国？Zhèxiē wàiguó rén wèishénme bù xǐhuan Zhōngguó?Why do these foreigners not like China?
  • B:因为 中国 人 太多。Yīnwèi Zhōngguó rén tài duō.Because China has a lot of people.

Expressing "How" with 怎么 (zěnme)

Structure

Subj. + 怎么 + Verb (+ Obj.) ?

Examples

  • A:你 怎么 学习 中文？Nǐ zěnme xuéxí Zhōngwén?How do you study Chinese?
  • B:我 用 Grammar Wiki 学习 中文 。Wǒ yòng Grammar Wiki xuéxí Zhōngwén.I use the Grammar Wiki to study Chinese.
  • A:你 怎么 上网？Nǐ zěnme shàngwǎng?How do you go online?
  • B:我 用 手机 上网。Wǒ yòng shǒujī shàngwǎng.I use my cell phone to go online.
  • A:你 怎么 去 北京？Nǐ zěnme qù Běijīng?How do you go to Beijing?
  • B:我 坐 火车 去。Wǒ zuò huǒchē qù.I take the train.
  • A:你们 怎么 回家 ？Nǐmen zěnme huíjiā?How are you guys going to get home?
  • B:我 开车 回家。Wǒ kāichē huíjiā.I‘m driving home.
  • A:你 怎么 买 票 ？ Nǐ zěnme mǎi piào? How do you buy tickets?
  • B:我 上网 买 票 。Wǒ shàngwǎng mǎi piào.I go online to buy tickets.

See also

Sources and further reading




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