Questions with "ne"
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Keywords
The particle 呢 (ne) can be used to ask reciprocal questions, also known as "bounce back" questions. 呢 (ne) can also be used to ask questions such as "what about" or "how about."
Structure
Topic + 呢 ？
And it's as simple as that. Say what you want to ask about, then stick 呢 (ne) on the end. A very common way to use this is to return a question after being asked it. The classic example is this exchange:
- A: 你 好 吗 ？
- B: 我 很 好。你 呢 ？
- A: 我 也 很 好 。
Examples
More 呢 (ne) examples (each of these can be translated as a "what about" question):
- 这 个 很 好, 那 个 呢 ？This one is good.What about that one?
- 我 在 家，你 呢 ？I'm home.What about you?
- 你 爸爸 五十 岁，你 妈妈 呢 ？Your father is fifty years old.And your mom?
- 你 说 他们 可以 去。我们 呢 ？You said they can go. What about us?
- 你 哥哥 在 上海，弟弟 呢 ？You elder brother is in Shanghai.And your younger brother?
- 北京 下雨 了。上海 呢 ？It's raining in Beijing. How about Shanghai?
- 这 个 用 中文 怎么 说？那 个 呢 ？How do I say this in Chinese? And that?
- 我 知道 你 会 说 中文。你 老公 呢 ？I know you can speak Chinese. What about your husband?
- 这 个 周末 我 想 去 酒吧。你们呢 ？I want to go to the bar this weekend.What about you?
- 今天 晚上 没 空？明天 晚上呢 ？You don't have time tonight? What about tomorrow evening?
- 我 现在 要 出去。你 呢 ？I'm going to go out now. How about you?
See also
- Yes-no questions with "ma"
- Tag questions with "ma"
- Softening the tone of questions with "ne" (advanced article)
Sources and further reading
Books
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (p. 137) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 23-4) →buy
- Mandarin Chinese: A Functional Reference Grammar (pp. 300-7) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1) (pp. 87-8) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed) (pp. 102-3, 251) →buy
- 40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课上册） (p. 97)→buy
Websites
- East Asia Student: How to use 呢 (ne) in Mandarin
