Difference between revisions of "Sentence-final interjection "a""

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The interjection 啊 (ā) is often added to the end of sentences to create one of the following effects:
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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.
  
* Friendliness
 
* Enthusiasm (sometimes urgency)
 
* Cuteness
 
  
Which of these it means depends entirely on the context of use. It can be added to the end of most sentences, but be careful not to over-use it!
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==啊 can be used at the end of a statement to express exclamation, excitement or enthusiasm.==
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 你好 <em>啊</em>!
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* 你好 <em>啊</em>! (Hey, how're you doing!)
* 你 怎么 样 <em>啊</em>
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* 对 <em>啊</em>!(Banging fist on table...Yeah, you're right!)
* 是 <em>啊</em>!
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* 你 的 难 朋友 真 帅 <em>啊</em>!(You're boyfriend's so handsome!)
* <em>啊</em>!
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</div>
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==It can also be used to add a tone of certainty or urgency, sometimes with the feeling of an order.==
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<div class="liju">
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* 是 <em>啊</em>,我 也 觉得! (Definitely, I agree!)
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* 小心 <em>啊</em>!(Careful!)
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* 快点 <em>啊</em>!(Come on, get on with it!)
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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Finally, it can be used with questions, again with a sense of urgency or concern for the listener.
  
==See also==
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<div class="liju">
*[[Conceding with "ba"]]
 
*[[Questions with ne]]
 
*[[Listing Things with "a"]] (advanced article)
 
  
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* 你 走 不 走 <em>啊</em>!(Are you going or what??)
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* 你 去 哪儿 <em>啊</em>?(Where are you going??)
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* 你 怎么样 <em>啊</em>?(So how have you been??)
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</div>
  
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
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This is very similar to one of the usages of 呢, but has an added sense of urgency.

Revision as of 03:10, 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 can be used at the end of a statement to express exclamation, excitement or enthusiasm.

  • 你好 ! (Hey, how're you doing!)
  • !(Banging fist on table...Yeah, you're right!)
  • 你 的 难 朋友 真 帅 !(You're boyfriend's so handsome!)

It can also be used to add a tone of certainty or urgency, sometimes with the feeling of an order.

  • ,我 也 觉得! (Definitely, I agree!)
  • 小心 !(Careful!)
  • 快点 !(Come on, get on with it!)

Finally, it can be used with questions, again with a sense of urgency or concern for the listener.

  • 你 走 不 走 !(Are you going or what??)
  • 你 去 哪儿 ?(Where are you going??)
  • 你 怎么样 ?(So how have you been??)

This is very similar to one of the usages of 呢, but has an added sense of urgency.