Modal particle "ne"

Revision as of 06:42, 23 May 2019 by WikiSysop (talk | contribs)

You may have already learned how to ask questions with 呢 (ne), but did you know that it's also used in statements? In this usage, 呢 (ne) is imparting a certain "mood" (hence the word "modal") or "attitude." It's used when trying to sound more confident and convincing to someone else.

Structure

Statement + 呢

Examples

More 呢 (ne) examples (each of these can be translated as a "what about" question):

  • 这 个 很 好 , 那 个 Zhège hěn hǎo, nàge ne?This one is good. What about that one?
  • 这 个 用 中文 怎么 说?那 个 Zhège yòng Zhōngwén zěnme shuō? Nàge ne?How do I say this in Chinese? And that?
  • 我 在 家,你 Wǒ zài jiā. Nǐ ne?I'm at home. What about you?
  • 你 爸爸 是 上海 人 ,你 妈妈 Nǐ bàba shì Shànghǎi rén, nǐ māma ne?Your father is Shanghainese. And your mom?
  • 你 哥哥 有 工作,弟弟 Nǐ gēge yǒu gōngzuò. Dìdi ne?Your big brother has a job. What about your little brother?
  • 北京 下雨 了 。 上海 Běijīng xiàyǔ le. Shànghǎi ne?It's raining in Beijing. How about in Shanghai?
  • 我 现在 要 出去 。 你 Wǒ xiànzài yào chūqù. Nǐ ne?I'm going to go out now. How about you?
  • 我 知道 你 会 说 中文 。 你 老公 Wǒ zhīdào nǐ huì shuō Zhōngwén. Nǐ lǎogōng ne?I know you can speak Chinese. What about your husband?
  • 这 个 周末 我 想 去 酒吧 。 你们Zhège zhōumò wǒ xiǎng qù jiǔbā. Nǐmen ne?I want to go to a bar this weekend. What about you all?
  • 今天 晚上 没 空 ? 明天 晚上Jīntiān wǎnshang méi kòng? Míngtiān wǎnshang ne? You don't have time tonight? What about tomorrow evening?

See Also

Sources and further reading

Books