Asking Questions
Spoken Description
通过本课掌握中文问句结构：了解疑问词（什么、谁、哪、什么时候、为什么、怎么）、句末助词（吗、呢）、选择句与反问句的构成与语序。含清晰讲解、例句与练习，适合初学者快速上手日常提问与信息获取。
Learn Chinese question structures: study question words (what, who, where, when, why, how), particles (ma, ne), yes/no and choice questions, and common question patterns. Includes clear explanations, example sentences, and practice to help beginners ask and get information naturally.
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Asking questions in Mandarin Chinese is straightforward but relies on specific question particles and word order. This guide covers the main ways to form questions.
Asking Yes/No Example Questions
Yes/no questions are formed by adding the particle ma 吗 at the end of a statement. The sentence stays in declarative order and the listener answers yes or no. This is the simplest question type for beginners.
Asking What Example Questions
The word for "what" is shénme 什么 and it replaces the noun or phrase you want to know. Use it in the normal position where the information would appear. This pattern works for things, actions, and categories.
Here’s the expanded version with three additional columns showing example responses for each question:
Asking What Example Questions
The word for "what" is shénme 什么 and it replaces the noun or phrase you want to know. Use it in the normal position where the information would appear. This pattern works for things, actions, and categories.
Here’s the expanded version with three additional columns showing example responses for each question:
Asking Time Example Questions
Use shénme shíhòu 什么时候 to ask about time. Place it where the time phrase would go, usually before the verb or at the start of the sentence. This question asks for a specific moment or general time.
Asking Example Questions about Place
To ask about place, use nǎlǐ 哪里 or nǎr 哪儿. They function the same way: they replace the location phrase and appear where the place would be in the sentence. Both forms are common, with nǎr 哪儿 more colloquial.
Asking Example Questions for Reasons
Use wèishénme 为什么 to ask for reasons. It typically comes at the beginning of the sentence followed by the cause or explanation you want. The answer usually starts with a reason or because phrase.
Asking Example Questions about Manner, Method, or Cause
Zěnme 怎么 asks about manner, method, or cause. It appears where the action is and can be followed by a verb, result, or explanation. Use it to find out how to do something or how something happened.
Asking Example Questions about Quantity or Price
Duōshǎo 多少 asks about quantity or price. It replaces the number or amount in the sentence and is used for things you can count or measure. Place it where the number would normally go.
Asking Example Questions about People
Shéi 谁 asks about people and takes the place of the person in question. It can be the subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase depending on the sentence. Use it to identify someone by name or role.
Turning Statements into Example Questions
Tag questions add duì bu duì 对不对 or shì bu shì 是不是 at the end to confirm information. They turn a statement into a question that expects agreement. This is useful for double-checking or prompting a short response.
Alternative Particles
In spoken Mandarin, questions sometimes use particles like ne 呢 or tone changes instead of ma 吗. Adding ne 呢 can turn the question back to the listener or soften it. Context and intonation matter for these more natural forms.
Summary
Mandarin questions rely on particles like ma 吗 and question words such as shénme 什么 and nǎlǐ 哪里 to signal what you want to know. Keep the basic word order and replace the target information with the appropriate question word. Practice common patterns aloud to get comfortable with the sounds and tones of questions.
Summary
Mandarin questions rely on particles like ma 吗 and question words such as shénme 什么 and nǎlǐ 哪里 to signal what you want to know. Keep the basic word order and replace the target information with the appropriate question word. Practice common patterns aloud to get comfortable with the sounds and tones of questions.
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