Tag questions with "ma"

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As well as yes / no questions, you can also form tag questions with 吗 (ma). Tag questions are quick questions that are tagged on the end of a sentence to ask for confirmation. In English, this is often done with "right?", or by adding the negative form of the verb phrase - e.g., "isn't it?".

The easiest way to do this in Chinese is to add an adjective and 吗 on the end of the sentence.

Basic Pattern

  • ……, 好 吗? ..., all right?
  • ……, 对 吗? ..., right?
  • ……, 是 吗? ..., is that it?
  • ……, 可以 吗? ..., is that OK?

By placing these on the end of a sentence, you can soften a suggestion or request confirmation.

Examples

  • 我们 喝茶,好吗?Let's drink some tea, OK?
  • 我们去咖啡店,好吗?Let's go to the cafe, OK?
  • 去吃中国菜,好吗?We go to eat Chinese food, OK?
  • 他是你哥哥,对吗?He is your older brother, right?
  • 你 不 知道,对吗?You don't know, right?
  • 这样 做,对吗?Like this, right?
  • 你 喜欢 他,是吗?You like him, right?
  • 你 没有 来 过,是吗?You didn't come, right?
  • 给我们十二瓶葡萄酒,可以吗?Give us twelve bottles of wine, OK?
  • 妈妈,吃 两 个 冰激凌,可以吗?Mom, I'll have two ice creams, OK?

See also

Sources and Further Reading