Tag questions with "ma"

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 are going to 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 haven't been here, right?
  • 给 我们 十 二 瓶 酒,可以 吗?Give us twelve bottles of wine, OK?
  • 妈妈,我 要 吃 巧克力,可以 吗?Mom, I want to eat chocolate, may I?

See also

Sources and Further Reading