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

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==啊 can be used at the end of a statement to express exclamation, excitement or enthusiasm.==
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==啊 expressing exclamation==
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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!)
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* 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!)
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* 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!)
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* 你 的 难 朋友 真 帅 <em>啊</em>!<span class="expl">(You're boyfriend's so handsome!)</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==It can also be used to add a tone of certainty or urgency, sometimes with the feeling of an order.==
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==啊 expressing certainty or urgency==
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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!)
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* 是 <em>啊</em>,我 也 觉得! <span class="expl">(Definitely, I agree!)</span>
* 小心 <em>啊</em>!(Careful!)  
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* 小心 <em>啊</em>!<span class="expl">(Careful!) </span>
* 快点 <em>啊</em>!(Come on, get on with it!)
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* 快点 <em>啊</em>!<span class="expl">(Come on, get on with it!)</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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==啊 used in questions==
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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??)
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* 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??)
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* 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??)
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* 你 怎么样 <em>啊</em>?<span class="expl">(So how have you been??)</span>
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</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 ! (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!)

啊 expressing certainty or urgency

啊 can also add a sense of urgency to a statement, 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!)

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 (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.