吗
HSK 1- Questions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Declarative sentence吗?
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Particle 吗 is placed at the end of a declarative sentence to turn it into a yes/no question.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
吗 (ma) is the simplest way to form a yes/no question in Chinese. You simply take a declarative sentence and add 吗 at the end — no word order change required. Answers to 吗 questions are typically 是 (yes) or 不是 (no), or a repetition of the verb/adjective.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 你是学生吗？繁: 你是學生嗎？Nǐ shì xuéshēng ma?
Are you a student?
- 他是医生吗？繁: 他是醫生嗎？Tā shì yīshēng ma?
Is he a doctor?
- 你喜欢喝茶吗？繁: 你喜歡喝茶嗎？Nǐ xǐhuān hē chá ma?
Do you like to drink tea?
- 这是你的书吗？繁: 這是你的書嗎？Zhè shì nǐ de shū ma?
Is this your book?
- 她在家吗？繁: 她在家嗎？Tā zài jiā ma?
Is she at home?