Difference between revisions of "Expressing the self-evident with "ma""
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The particle 嘛 (ma) is a sentence-final particle identical in pronunciation to the simple [[Yes - no questions with ma|"yes/no question" particle 吗 (ma)]] you learned back in the day, but with a rather different function. It can be used when the speaker feels what he is saying is obvious (from his point of view). | The particle 嘛 (ma) is a sentence-final particle identical in pronunciation to the simple [[Yes - no questions with ma|"yes/no question" particle 吗 (ma)]] you learned back in the day, but with a rather different function. It can be used when the speaker feels what he is saying is obvious (from his point of view). | ||
| − | == Sentence-Final Structure == | + | == Used for Sentence-Final == |
| + | |||
| + | === Structure === | ||
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * | + | *你 妹妹 很 漂亮 <em>嘛</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ mèimei hěn piàoliang <em>ma</em>.</span><span class="trans">Your sister is pretty.</span> |
*他 家 挺 有钱 的 <em>嘛</em> 。<span class="trans">His family is pretty rich.</span> | *他 家 挺 有钱 的 <em>嘛</em> 。<span class="trans">His family is pretty rich.</span> | ||
*别 担心 ，一边 工作 一边 学 <em>嘛</em> 。<<span class="trans">Don't worry. You can learn while you work.</span> | *别 担心 ，一边 工作 一边 学 <em>嘛</em> 。<<span class="trans">Don't worry. You can learn while you work.</span> | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
| − | == Topic-Marking | + | == Used for Topic-Marking== |
| − | + | ===Structure === | |
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
| − | This basically allows the speaker to state the topic, then gather his thoughts before making a comment on it. | + | This basically allows the speaker to state the topic, then gather his thoughts before making a comment on it. In this pattern, the following comment may or may not be one the speaker feels is obvious. |
=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
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[[Category:Particles]] | [[Category:Particles]] | ||
{{Similar|Yes-no questions with ma}} | {{Similar|Yes-no questions with ma}} | ||
| − | {{Basic Grammar|嘛|B1| | + | {{Basic Grammar|嘛|B1|Statement + 嘛|大家 有 话 就 说 <em>嘛</em> 。|grammar point|ASGVMC4B}} |
{{Used for|Expressing attitude}} | {{Used for|Expressing attitude}} | ||
{{Used for|Exclaiming}} | {{Used for|Exclaiming}} | ||
{{POS|Particles}} | {{POS|Particles}} | ||
Revision as of 09:47, 17 October 2017
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Keywords
The particle 嘛 (ma) is a sentence-final particle identical in pronunciation to the simple "yes/no question" particle 吗 (ma) you learned back in the day, but with a rather different function. It can be used when the speaker feels what he is saying is obvious (from his point of view).
Contents
Used for Sentence-Final
Structure
Statement + 嘛
Examples
- 你 妹妹 很 漂亮 嘛 。Your sister is pretty.
- 他 家 挺 有钱 的 嘛 。His family is pretty rich.
- 别 担心 ，一边 工作 一边 学 嘛 。<Don't worry. You can learn while you work.
- 大家 有 话 就 说 嘛 。Guys, you should say whatever you want to say.
- 嘛 。Brandname. It can't be cheap.
Used for Topic-Marking
Structure
Topic + 嘛 ，Statement
This basically allows the speaker to state the topic, then gather his thoughts before making a comment on it. In this pattern, the following comment may or may not be one the speaker feels is obvious.
Examples
- 大 熊猫嘛 ，大家 都 喜欢 。Pandas. Everybody likes them.
- 孩子 嘛 ，淘气 很 正常 。Kids. It's normal for them to be naughty.
- 名牌 嘛 ，一定 不 便宜 。Brandname. It can't be cheap.
- 第 一 次 嘛 ，以后 就 有 经验 了 。First time. You'll have experience in the future.
- 他 俩 嘛 ，早就 应该 在 一起 了 。They two. They should have been together long before.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) (pp. 225) →buy →买
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 19) →buy
- Intermediate Chinese - A Grammar and Workbook (Unit 23) →buy
