Difference between revisions of "Yes-no questions with "ma""

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The question particle 吗 (ma) is a simple way to form questions in Chinese. By placing 吗 (ma) on the end of a statement, you convert it into a ''yes/no question'' (questions that could be answered with "yes" or "no" in English).
The question particle 吗 (ma) is a very simple way to form questions in Chinese. By placing 吗 on the end of a statement, you convert it into a yes/no question. Surprisingly enough, these are questions that could be answered with ''yes'' or ''no'' in English. They're also known as ''polar questions'' or ''binary questions''.
 
  
 
== Basic Usage ==
 
== Basic Usage ==
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=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
Any statement can be converted into a yes / no question with 吗. You could think of 吗 as being like a question mark you say out loud. So the basic structure is :
+
Any statement can be converted into a yes/no question with 吗 (ma). You could think of 吗 (ma) as being like a question mark you say out loud. So the basic structure is:
  
<div class="liju">
+
<div class="jiegou">
  
statement sentence + 吗 ?
+
[Statement] + 吗 ?
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
For example:
+
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 你 喜欢 咖啡。 <span class="expl">(statement)</span> <span class="trans">You like coffee.</span>
+
*你 喜欢 咖啡 。<span class="expl">statement</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ xǐhuan kāfēi.</span><span class="trans">You like coffee.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
"You like coffee" can easily be converted into "Do you like coffee?" by adding 吗:
+
The sentence "You like coffee" can easily be converted into the question "Do you like coffee?" by adding 吗 (ma):
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 你 喜欢 咖啡 <em>吗</em>? <span class="expl">(question)</span> <span class="trans">Do you like coffee?</span>
+
*你 喜欢 咖啡 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">question</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ xǐhuan kāfēi <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Do you like coffee?</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Examples ===
+
More examples of yes/no questions that revert to statements when you remove the 吗 (ma):
 
 
More examples of statements and their yes/no question forms:
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 你 是 白痴。 <span class="expl">(statement)</span> <span class="trans">You are an idiot.</span>
+
*你 是 大 学生 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">question</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ shì dàxuéshēng <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Are you a college student?</span>
* 你 是 白痴 <em>吗</em>? <span class="expl">(question)</span> <span class="trans">Are you an idiot?</span>
+
*他 是 老板 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">question</span><span class="pinyin">Tā shì lǎobǎn <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Is he the boss?</span>
 
+
*你 喜欢 她 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">question</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ xǐhuan tā <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Do you like her?</span>
* 那 是 老虎。 <span class="expl">(statement)</span> <span class="trans">That is a tiger.</span>
+
*你 想 家 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">question</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ xiǎng jiā <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Do you miss home?</span>
* 那 是 老虎 <em>吗</em>? <span class="expl">(question)</span> <span class="trans">Is that a tiger?</span>
+
*你们 明天 见面 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">question</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐmen míngtiān jiànmiàn <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Are you going to meet tomorrow?</span>
 
+
*你们 也 去 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">question</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐmen yě qù <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Are you also going?</span>
* 他 是 老师。 <span class="expl">(statement)</span> <span class="trans">He is a teacher.</span>
+
*他 在 你们 学校  学 中文 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">question</span><span class="pinyin">Tā zài nǐmen xuéxiào xué Zhōngwén <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Does he study Chinese in your school?</span>
* 他 是 老师 <em>吗</em>? <span class="expl">(question)</span> <span class="trans">Is he a teacher?</span>
+
*妈妈 会 做饭 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">question</span><span class="pinyin">Māma huì zuòfàn <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Does mom know how to cook?</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
It's important to remember that you can not add 吗 to a sentence that's already a question. For example:
+
It's important to remember that you do not normally add 吗 (ma) to a sentence that's ''already a question''. For example:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
<li class="x">你 是 谁 <strong>吗</strong>?<span class="expl">(is a question word)</span> <span class="trans">Are you who?</span></li>
+
<li class="x">你 是 谁 <em>吗</em>?<span class="expl">(shéi) is a question word</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ shì shéi <em>ma</em>?</span></li>
<li class="x">这 是 不 是 书 <strong>吗</strong>?<span class="expl">(是不是 is a question pattern)</span> <span class="trans">Is this a book, is?</span></li>
+
<li class="x">这 是 不 是 书 <em>吗</em>?<span class="expl">是不是 (shì bu shì) is a question pattern</span><span class="pinyin">Zhè shì bu shì shū <em>ma</em>?</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
These would be something like "Do you who are you?" and "Does is this a book?" in English - obviously wrong. Still if you're not careful, you may find yourself throwing a 吗 onto the end of a question that doesn't need it.  Many learners make this mistake, so don't worry if it happens every once in a while, just catch it and remember it the next time.
+
These would be something like "Are you who are you?" and "Is this is a book?" in English, both obviously ungrammatical. Still, if you're not careful, you may find yourself throwing a 吗 (ma) onto the end of a question that doesn't need it.  Many learners make this mistake, so don't worry if it happens every once in a while, just catch it and remember it the next time.
 +
 
 +
== How to Answer ==
 +
 
 +
You can answer a Chinese yes-no question in one of two ways:
  
== More Advanced Usage ==
+
# Answer with 对 (duì) or the more casual 嗯 (ǹg) to affirm what was asked.
 +
# Answer a clearer "yes" by simply repeating the positive form of the verb, or "no" by using the negative form of the verb.
  
However, this doesn't mean that a sentence ''can't ever'' have a question word and . 如果句中有“知道、了解、明白、认识”等动词,那么”吗“可以跟疑问词一起出现。For example:
+
Here's the slightly tricky part: if you answer with 对 (duì) and the question is in the ''positive'', then you're saying "'''yes'''" (and affirming the ''positive'' verb in the question). If you answer with 对 (duì) and the question is in the ''negative'', then you're saying "'''no'''" (and affirming the ''negative'' verb in the question). Let's take a look at some examples of this sort.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 知道 这 什么 东西 <em>吗</em>?<span class="trans">Do you know what this thing is?</span>
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 是 大 学生 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">Positive verb in the question</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ shì dàxuéshēng <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Are you a college student?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 对 。<span class="expl">对 (duì) affirms the positive verb.</span><span class="pinyin">Duì.</span><span class="trans">Yes, I am.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
</div>
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 <strong>没 有</strong> 工作 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">Negative verb in the question</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ <strong>méiyǒu</strong> gōngzuò <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Do you not have a job?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 对 。<span class="expl">对 (duì) affirms the negative verb.</span><span class="pinyin">Duì.</span><span class="trans">No, I don't.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
 
 +
Now let's try some answers that reuse the verb for a super-clear "yes" or "no," which works the same way regardless of whether it's a positive or a negative verb in the question.
  
This is OK because the original sentence "你知道这是什么东西" is a statement even though it contains the question word 什么. It's the same in English. "You know ''what'' this is" can be converted into the question "''Do'' you know ''what'' this is?"
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 明天 <strong>不 来</strong> <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">Negative verb in the question</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ míngtiān <strong>bù lái</strong> <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">You're not coming tomorrow?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 来 。<span class="expl">Repeat the verb for greater clarity.</span><span class="pinyin">Lái.</span><span class="trans">Yes, I'll come.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
Here are more examples:
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 明天 <strong>不 来</strong> <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">Negative verb in the question</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ míngtiān <strong>bù lái</strong> <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">You're not coming tomorrow?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 不 来 。<span class="expl">The negative verb means "no."</span><span class="pinyin">Bù lái.</span><span class="trans">No, I won't come.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
<div class="liju">
+
Finally, a mix of the two ways to answer, where one person is asking questions of two different people.
  
* 明白 这 是 什么 意思 <em>吗</em>?<span class="trans">Do you understand this?</span>
+
<ul class="dialog">
* 知道 他 是 谁 <em>吗</em>?<span class="trans">Do you know who he is?</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>喜欢 中国菜 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">Positive verb in the question</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ xǐhuan Zhōngguó cài <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Do you like Chinese food?</span></li>
* 你 知道 怎么 学 中文<em></em><span class="trans">Do you know how to study Chinese?</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 喜欢 。<span class="expl">Repeat the verb for greater clarity.</span><span class="pinyin">Xǐhuan.</span><span class="trans">Yes, I do.</span></li>
* 你 明白 老师 在 说 什么<em></em><span class="trans">Did you understand what the teacher said?</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> <strong>不 喜欢</strong> 中国菜 <em>吗</em> ?<span class="expl">Negative verb in the question</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ <strong>bù xǐhuan</strong> Zhōngguó cài <em>ma</em>?</span><span class="trans">Don't you like Chinese food?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">C:</span> 对 。<span class="expl">对 (duì) affirms the negative verb.</span><span class="pinyin">Duì.</span><span class="trans">No. (I don't.)</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
You sometimes hear that "yes" in Chinese is [[是]] (shì) and "no" is 不是 (bù shì). This can be true, but ''only when the main verb in the question is also 是 (shì)''. If the verb in the question is something else, like 喜欢 (xǐhuan), then that verb becomes the word for "yes." It's been said that Chinese has hundreds of ways to say "yes," and this is why: ''every verb can be used to mean "yes."''
 +
 +
== More Advanced Usage ==
 +
 +
However, this doesn't mean that a sentence ''can't ever'' have a question word and 吗 (ma). If a sentence contains verbs of understanding such as 知道 (zhīdào),了解 (liǎojiě), 明白 (míngbai), 认识 (rènshi), etc., then 吗 (ma) can still be added at the end of the question. You will later learn more about these [[advanced yes-no questions with "ma"]].
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 +
 
*[[Tag questions with "ma"]]
 
*[[Tag questions with "ma"]]
 
*[[Affirmative-negative questions]]
 
*[[Affirmative-negative questions]]
Line 97: Line 122:
 
=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 138-40) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 1|16}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 29-30) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
+
{{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|138-40}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)]] (pp. 21) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561910401/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561910401 →buy]
+
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|29-30}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed)]] (pp. 23, 250) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561926235/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=7561926235 →buy]
+
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)|21}}
 +
{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed)|23, 250}}
  
 
[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}}
 
{{Used for|Asking questions}}
 
{{Used for|Asking questions}}
 
{{Used for|Requesting}}
 
{{Used for|Requesting}}
{{Basic Grammar|吗|A1|...吗?|老师 <em>吗</em> ?|grammar point|ASGQ2AZA}}
+
{{Basic Grammar|吗|A1|⋯⋯吗?|老板 <em>吗</em> ?|grammar point|ASGQ2AZA}}
 
{{Similar|Tag questions with ma}}
 
{{Similar|Tag questions with ma}}
 
{{Similar|Positive negative questions}}
 
{{Similar|Positive negative questions}}
 
{{Similar|Questions with ne}}
 
{{Similar|Questions with ne}}
{{Similar|Questions with "le ma"}}
+
{{Similar|Questions with "le ma"}}  
{{Similar|Expressing the self-evident with "ma"}}   
 
 
{{Structure|Question Forms}}
 
{{Structure|Question Forms}}

Latest revision as of 09:20, 20 April 2021

The question particle 吗 (ma) is a simple way to form questions in Chinese. By placing 吗 (ma) on the end of a statement, you convert it into a yes/no question (questions that could be answered with "yes" or "no" in English).

Basic Usage

Structure

Any statement can be converted into a yes/no question with 吗 (ma). You could think of 吗 (ma) as being like a question mark you say out loud. So the basic structure is:

[Statement] + 吗 ?

Examples

  • 你 喜欢 咖啡 。statementNǐ xǐhuan kāfēi.You like coffee.

The sentence "You like coffee" can easily be converted into the question "Do you like coffee?" by adding 吗 (ma):

  • 你 喜欢 咖啡 questionNǐ xǐhuan kāfēi ma?Do you like coffee?

More examples of yes/no questions that revert to statements when you remove the 吗 (ma):

  • 你 是 大 学生 questionNǐ shì dàxuéshēng ma?Are you a college student?
  • 他 是 老板 questionTā shì lǎobǎn ma?Is he the boss?
  • 你 喜欢 她 questionNǐ xǐhuan tā ma?Do you like her?
  • 你 想 家 questionNǐ xiǎng jiā ma?Do you miss home?
  • 你们 明天 见面 questionNǐmen míngtiān jiànmiàn ma?Are you going to meet tomorrow?
  • 你们 也 去 questionNǐmen yě qù ma?Are you also going?
  • 他 在 你们 学校 学 中文 questionTā zài nǐmen xuéxiào xué Zhōngwén ma?Does he study Chinese in your school?
  • 妈妈 会 做饭 questionMāma huì zuòfàn ma?Does mom know how to cook?

It's important to remember that you do not normally add 吗 (ma) to a sentence that's already a question. For example:

  • 你 是 谁 谁 (shéi) is a question wordNǐ shì shéi ma?
  • 这 是 不 是 书 是不是 (shì bu shì) is a question patternZhè shì bu shì shū ma?

These would be something like "Are you who are you?" and "Is this is a book?" in English, both obviously ungrammatical. Still, if you're not careful, you may find yourself throwing a 吗 (ma) onto the end of a question that doesn't need it. Many learners make this mistake, so don't worry if it happens every once in a while, just catch it and remember it the next time.

How to Answer

You can answer a Chinese yes-no question in one of two ways:

  1. Answer with 对 (duì) or the more casual 嗯 (ǹg) to affirm what was asked.
  2. Answer a clearer "yes" by simply repeating the positive form of the verb, or "no" by using the negative form of the verb.

Here's the slightly tricky part: if you answer with 对 (duì) and the question is in the positive, then you're saying "yes" (and affirming the positive verb in the question). If you answer with 对 (duì) and the question is in the negative, then you're saying "no" (and affirming the negative verb in the question). Let's take a look at some examples of this sort.

  • A: 你 是 大 学生 Positive verb in the questionNǐ shì dàxuéshēng ma?Are you a college student?
  • B: 对 。对 (duì) affirms the positive verb.Duì.Yes, I am.
  • A:没 有 工作 Negative verb in the questionméiyǒu gōngzuò ma?Do you not have a job?
  • B: 对 。对 (duì) affirms the negative verb.Duì.No, I don't.

Now let's try some answers that reuse the verb for a super-clear "yes" or "no," which works the same way regardless of whether it's a positive or a negative verb in the question.

  • A: 你 明天 不 来 Negative verb in the questionNǐ míngtiān bù lái ma?You're not coming tomorrow?
  • B: 来 。Repeat the verb for greater clarity.Lái.Yes, I'll come.
  • A: 你 明天 不 来 Negative verb in the questionNǐ míngtiān bù lái ma?You're not coming tomorrow?
  • B: 不 来 。The negative verb means "no."Bù lái.No, I won't come.

Finally, a mix of the two ways to answer, where one person is asking questions of two different people.

  • A:你 喜欢 中国菜 Positive verb in the questionNǐ xǐhuan Zhōngguó cài ma?Do you like Chinese food?
  • B: 喜欢 。Repeat the verb for greater clarity.Xǐhuan.Yes, I do.
  • A:不 喜欢 中国菜 Negative verb in the questionbù xǐhuan Zhōngguó cài ma?Don't you like Chinese food?
  • C: 对 。对 (duì) affirms the negative verb.Duì.No. (I don't.)

You sometimes hear that "yes" in Chinese is (shì) and "no" is 不是 (bù shì). This can be true, but only when the main verb in the question is also 是 (shì). If the verb in the question is something else, like 喜欢 (xǐhuan), then that verb becomes the word for "yes." It's been said that Chinese has hundreds of ways to say "yes," and this is why: every verb can be used to mean "yes."

More Advanced Usage

However, this doesn't mean that a sentence can't ever have a question word and 吗 (ma). If a sentence contains verbs of understanding such as 知道 (zhīdào),了解 (liǎojiě), 明白 (míngbai), 认识 (rènshi), etc., then 吗 (ma) can still be added at the end of the question. You will later learn more about these advanced yes-no questions with "ma".

See also

Sources and further reading

Videos

Books