…嘛
HSK 6- Modal verbs
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Modal particle 嘛 used to indicate something obvious, a fact that both the speaker and listener already know.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
嘛 is a sentence-final modal particle used to emphasize a reason or fact that is obvious and known to everyone. It is equivalent to saying "...of course!" or "obviously that's the case" in English.
Depending on context, 嘛 can carry a tone of gentle persuasion ("it's no big deal, don't overthink it"), or slight impatience and urging ("come on, hurry up!").
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 下雨了嘛，我们别出去了。繁: 下雨了嘛，我們別出去了。Xià yǔ le ma, wǒmen bié chūqù le.
It's raining, so let's not go out.
- 不贵嘛，你就买吧。繁: 不貴嘛，你就買吧。Bú guì ma, nǐ jiù mǎi ba.
It's not expensive, so just buy it.
- 快点儿嘛，要迟到了。繁: 快點兒嘛，要遲到了。Kuài diǎnr ma, yào chídào le.
Hurry up, we're going to be late!
- 他是学生嘛，当然没钱。繁: 他是學生嘛，當然沒錢。Tā shì xuéshēng ma, dāngrán méi qián.
He's a student, of course he doesn't have money.
- 别着急嘛，时间还早呢。繁: 彆著急嘛，時間還早呢。Bié zhāojí ma, shíjiān hái zǎo ne.
Don't rush, there's still plenty of time.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:你是学生嘛？Correct:你是学生吗？
嘛 (ma) affirms what is obvious, while 吗 (ma) forms a question; these two words differ completely in tone and meaning.
- Wrong:这个项目很重要嘛。Correct:这个项目很重要。
嘛 has an intimate, casual tone and should not be used in written language or formal, serious situations.