Traditional: 嗎
ma HSK 1

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

你好吗?
Nǐ hǎo ma?
How are you?
这是猫吗?
Zhè shì māo ma?
Is this a cat?
你冷吗?
Nǐ lěng ma?
Are you cold?
你来参加派对吗?
Nǐ lái cānjiā pàiduì ma?
Are you coming to the party?
你喜欢这个食物吗?
Nǐ xǐhuān zhège shíwù ma?
Do you like this food?

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 吗 as a 'question mark' in spoken form—it turns any sentence into a question, just like adding a '?' in English. You can remember it by associating the sound 'ma' with 'marker for asking.'

📝 Usage Notes

吗 is used in both spoken and written Chinese, in formal and informal contexts, primarily for forming questions. It is one of the most common ways to ask yes-no questions in Mandarin, and it is typically added to the end of a declarative sentence without changing the word order.

📖 Grammar Points

吗 is used in the structure: [Statement] + 吗? For example, '你是学生' (You are a student) becomes '你是学生吗?' (Are you a student?). It cannot be used with question words like 什么 (what) or 谁 (who), as those form their own question types.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, using 吗 in questions is considered polite and neutral, making it suitable for most social interactions. It is often used in everyday conversations to show interest or seek information without being overly direct.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to other question particles like 呢 (ne, used for follow-up or contextual questions) and 吧 (ba, used for suggestions or seeking agreement), 吗 is specifically for yes-no questions and does not imply any expectation or suggestion.

Master this word with quizzes, flashcards & more

Learn in CILI →

Related Words