Question forms

A sentence with a change-of-state le can take ma at the end of the sentence to form a ma question. Choice-type questions are not usually used in sentences with a change-of-state le except for sentences in which the predicate verb is preceded by an optative, a dispositional verb or a modal verb (such as huì , néng , kěyǐ 可以, xiǎng , xǐhuan 喜欢, etc.) or in yǒu sentences.


  1. Shān-lǐ tiānqi lěng le ma? (ma question)
    山里天气冷了吗?Has the weather become cold in the mountains?


  2. Nǐ huì kāi chē le ma? (ma question)
    你会开车了吗?
    Are you able to drive now?


    1. huì bú huì kāi chē le? (choice-type question)
      你会不会开车了?
      Are you able to drive now?


    2. Huì le. Hái bú huì.
      会了。还不会。Yes, I am. Not yet.