Difference between revisions of "Sentence-final interjection "a""
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− | ==啊 | + | ==啊 expressing exclamation== |
+ | |||
+ | When used like this, 啊 is placed at the end of a statement and has a tone of exclamation, excitement or enthusiasm. | ||
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
− | * 你好 <em>啊</em>! (Hey, how're you doing!) | + | * 你好 <em>啊</em>! <span class="expl">(Hey, how're you doing!)</span> |
− | * 对 <em>啊</em>!(Banging fist on table...Yeah, you're right!) | + | * 对 <em>啊</em>!<span class="expl">(Banging fist on table...Yeah, you're right!)</span> |
− | * 你 的 难 朋友 真 帅 <em>啊</em>!(You're boyfriend's so handsome!) | + | * 你 的 难 朋友 真 帅 <em>啊</em>!<span class="expl">(You're boyfriend's so handsome!)</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
− | == | + | ==啊 expressing certainty or urgency== |
+ | |||
+ | 啊 can also add a sense of urgency to a statement, sometimes with the feeling of an order. | ||
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
− | * 是 <em>啊</em>,我 也 觉得! (Definitely, I agree!) | + | * 是 <em>啊</em>,我 也 觉得! <span class="expl">(Definitely, I agree!)</span> |
− | * 小心 <em>啊</em>!(Careful!) | + | * 小心 <em>啊</em>!<span class="expl">(Careful!) </span> |
− | * 快点 <em>啊</em>!(Come on, get on with it!) | + | * 快点 <em>啊</em>!<span class="expl">(Come on, get on with it!)</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==啊 used in questions== | ||
+ | |||
Finally, it can be used with questions, again with a sense of urgency or concern for the listener. | Finally, it can be used with questions, again with a sense of urgency or concern for the listener. | ||
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
− | * 你 走 不 走 <em>啊</em>!(Are you going or what??) | + | * 你 走 不 走 <em>啊</em>!<span class="expl">(Are you going or what??)</span> |
− | * 你 去 哪儿 <em>啊</em>?(Where are you going??) | + | * 你 去 哪儿 <em>啊</em>?<span class="expl">(Where are you going??)</span> |
− | * 你 怎么样 <em>啊</em>?(So how have you been??) | + | * 你 怎么样 <em>啊</em>?<span class="expl">(So how have you been??)</span> |
+ | |||
</div> | </div> | ||
This is very similar to one of the usages of 呢, but has an added sense of urgency. | This is very similar to one of the usages of 呢, but has an added sense of urgency. |
Revision as of 03:21, 22 November 2011
The interjection 啊 (ā) is often added to the end of sentences to add a tone of urgency, exclamation or excitement. With many modal verbs, the exact meaning often depends on context.
啊 expressing exclamation
When used like this, 啊 is placed at the end of a statement and has a tone of exclamation, excitement or enthusiasm.
- 你好 啊! (Hey, how're you doing!)
- 对 啊!(Banging fist on table...Yeah, you're right!)
- 你 的 难 朋友 真 帅 啊!(You're boyfriend's so handsome!)
啊 expressing certainty or urgency
啊 can also add a sense of urgency to a statement, sometimes with the feeling of an order.
- 是 啊,我 也 觉得! (Definitely, I agree!)
- 小心 啊!(Careful!)
- 快点 啊!(Come on, get on with it!)
啊 used in questions
Finally, it can be used with questions, again with a sense of urgency or concern for the listener.
- 你 走 不 走 啊!(Are you going or what??)
- 你 去 哪儿 啊?(Where are you going??)
- 你 怎么样 啊?(So how have you been??)
This is very similar to one of the usages of 呢, but has an added sense of urgency.