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  6. <head>
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  7.   <title>Yes-no questions with "ma"</title>
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  8.   <link rel="stylesheet" href="../Styles/main.css"/>
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  9. </head>
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  10. 

  11. <body>
    12. 

  12.   <h1>Yes-no questions with "<span class="pinyinst">ma</span>" "<span class="hanzist">吗</span>"</h1>
    13. 

  13. 

  14.   <p>The question particle <span class="hanzi">吗</span> (<span class="pinyin">ma</span>) is a simple way to form questions in Chinese. By placing <span class="hanzi">吗</span> (<span class="pinyin">ma</span>) on the end of a statement, you convert it into a <i><b>yes/no question</b></i> (questions that could be answered with <i><b>yes</b></i> or <i><b>no</b></i> in English).</p>
    15. 

  15. 

  16.   <h2 id="sigil_toc_id_272">Contents</h2>
    17. 

  17. 

  18.   <div class="contents">
    19. 

  19.     <ul>
    20. 

  20.       <li><a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Yes-no_questions_with_%22ma%22#Basic_Usage"> 1 Basic Usage</a> 
    21. 

  21. 

  22.       <ul>
    23. 

  23.         <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-2"><a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Yes-no_questions_with_%22ma%22#Structure"> 1.1 Structure</a></li>
    24. 

  24. 

  25.         <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-3"><a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Yes-no_questions_with_%22ma%22#Examples"> 1.2 Examples</a></li>
    26. 

  26.       </ul></li>
    27. 

  27. 

  28.       <li><a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Yes-no_questions_with_%22ma%22#More_Advanced_Usage"> 2 More Advanced Usage</a></li>
    29. 

  29. 

  30.       <li><a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Yes-no_questions_with_%22ma%22#See_also"> 3 See also</a></li>
    31. 

  31. 

  32.       <li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-6"><a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Yes-no_questions_with_%22ma%22#Sources_and_further_reading"> 4 Sources and further reading</a> 
    33. 

  33. 

  34.       <ul>
    35. 

  35.         <li><a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Yes-no_questions_with_%22ma%22#Videos"> 4.1 Videos</a></li>
    36. 

  36. 

  37.         <li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-8"><a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Yes-no_questions_with_%22ma%22#Books"> 4.2 Books</a></li>
    38. 

  38.       </ul></li>
    39. 

  39.     </ul>
    40. 

  40.   </div>
    41. 

  41. 

  42.   <h2 id="sigil_toc_id_273"><span id="Basic_Usage">Basic Usage</span></h2>
    43. 

  43. 

  44.   <h3 id="sigil_toc_id_274"><span id="Structure">Structure</span></h3>
    45. 

  45. 

  46.   <p>Any statement can be converted into a <b>yes / no question</b> with <span class="hanzi">吗</span> (<span class="pinyin">ma</span>). You could think of <span class="hanzi">吗</span> (<span class="pinyin">ma</span>) as being like a question mark you say out loud. So the basic structure is:</p>
    47. 

  47. 

  48.   <div class="deux">
    49. 

  49.     [Statement] + <span class="hanzist">吗</span> ？
    50. 

  50.   </div>
    51. 

  51. 

  52.   <h3 id="sigil_toc_id_275">Examples</h3>
    53. 

  53. 

  54.   <div class="exemple">
    55. 

  55.     <ul>
    56. 

  56.       <li><span class="hanzi">你 喜欢 咖啡 。</span> <br/><span class="vert">statement</span> <br/><span class="pinyin" style="font-size: 20px;">Nǐ xǐhuan kāfēi.</span><span style="font-size: 20px;"> <br/>You like coffee.</span></li>
    57. 

  57.     </ul>
    58. 

  58.   </div>
    59. 

  59. 

  60.   <p>"<b>You like coffee</b>" can easily be converted into "<b>Do you like coffee?</b>" by adding <span class="hanzi">吗</span> (<span class="pinyin">ma</span>):</p>
    61. 

  61. 

  62.   <div class="exemple">
    63. 

  63.     <ul>
    64. 

  64.       <li><span class="hanzi">你 喜欢 咖啡 吗 ？</span><br/> <span class="vert">question</span> <br/><span class="pinyin">Nǐ xǐhuan kāfēi ma ?</span> <br/>Do you like coffee?</li>
    65. 

  65.     </ul>
    66. 

  66.   </div>
    67. 

  67. 

  68.   <hr/>
    69. 

  69. 

  70.   <p>More examples of statements and their yes/no question forms:</p>
    71. 

  71. 

  72.   <div class="exemple">
    73. 

  73.     <ul>
    74. 

  74.       <li><span class="hanzi">你 是 大 学生 。</span> <br/><span class="vert">statement</span> <br/><span class="pinyin">Nǐ shì dàxuésheng.</span> <br/>You are a college student.</li>
    75. 

  75. 

  76.       <li><span class="hanzi">你 是 大 学生 吗 ？</span> <br/><span class="vert">question</span> <br/><span class="pinyin">Nǐ shì dàxuésheng ma ?</span> <br/>Are you a college student?</li>
    77. 

  77.     </ul>
    78. 

  78. 

  79.     <ul>
    80. 

  80.       <li><span class="hanzi">他 是 老板。</span> <br/><span class="vert">statement</span><br/> <span class="pinyin">Tā shì lǎobǎn.</span> <br/>He is the boss.</li>
    81. 

  81. 

  82.       <li><span class="hanzi">他 是 老板 吗 ？</span> <br/><span class="vert">question</span><br/> <span class="pinyin">Tā shì lǎobǎn ma ?</span> <br/>Is he the boss?</li>
    83. 

  83.     </ul>
    84. 

  84. 

  85.     <ul>
    86. 

  86.       <li><span class="hanzi">你 喜欢 她。</span><br/> <span class="vert">statement</span><br/><span class="pinyin"> Nǐ xǐhuan tā.</span> <br/>You like her.</li>
    87. 

  87. 

  88.       <li><span class="hanzi">你 喜欢 她 吗 ？</span> <br/><span class="vert">question</span><br/> <span class="pinyin">Nǐ xǐhuan tā ma ?</span> <br/>Do you like her?</li>
    89. 

  89.     </ul>
    90. 

  90. 

  91.     <ul>
    92. 

  92.       <li><span class="hanzi">你 想 家。</span> <br/><span class="vert">statement</span><br/> <span class="pinyin">Nǐ xiǎng jiā.</span> <br/>You miss home.</li>
    93. 

  93. 

  94.       <li><span class="hanzi">你 想 家 吗 ？</span><br/> <span class="vert">question</span><br/> <span class="pinyin">Nǐ xiǎng jiā ma ?</span> <br/>Do you miss home?</li>
    95. 

  95.     </ul>
    96. 

  96. 

  97.     <ul>
    98. 

  98.       <li><span class="hanzi">爸爸 喜欢 喝 茶。</span> <br/><span class="vert">statement</span><br/> <span class="pinyin">Bàba xǐhuan hē chá.</span><br/> Dad likes drinking tea.</li>
    99. 

  99. 

  100.       <li><span class="hanzi">爸爸 喜欢 喝 茶 吗 ？</span> <br/><span class="vert">question</span> <br/><span class="pinyin">Bàba xǐhuan hē chá ma ?</span> <br/>Does dad like drinking tea?</li>
    101. 

  101.     </ul>
    102. 

  102. 

  103.     <ul>
    104. 

  104.       <li><span class="hanzi">你们 也 去。</span><br/> <span class="vert">statement</span><br/> <span class="pinyin">Nǐmen yě qù.</span><br/> You also go.</li>
    105. 

  105. 

  106.       <li><span class="hanzi">你们 也 去 吗 ？</span> <br/><span class="vert">question</span><br/> <span class="pinyin">Nǐmen yě qù ma ?</span> <br/>Are you also going?</li>
    107. 

  107.     </ul>
    108. 

  108. 

  109.     <ul>
    110. 

  110.       <li><span class="hanzi">他 在 你们 学校 学 中文。</span> <br/><span class="vert">statement</span> <br/><span class="pinyin">Tā zài nǐmen xuéxiào xué Zhōngwén.</span> <br/>He studies Chinese in your school.</li>
    111. 

  111. 

  112.       <li><span class="hanzi">他 在 你们 学校 学 中文 吗 ？</span><br/> <span class="vert">question</span> <br/><span class="pinyin">Tā zài nǐmen xuéxiào xué Zhōngwén ma ?</span> <br/>Does he study Chinese in your school?</li>
    113. 

  113.     </ul>
    114. 

  114. 

  115.     <ul>
    116. 

  116.       <li><span class="hanzi">我 见 过 他 。</span> <br/><span class="vert">statement</span><br/><span class="pinyin"> Wǒ jiàn guo tā.</span> <br/>I've met him.</li>
    117. 

  117. 

  118.       <li><span class="hanzi">我见 过 他 吗 ？</span> <br/><span class="vert">question</span><br/> <span class="pinyin">Wǒ jiàn guo tā ma ?</span> <br/>Have I met him?</li>
    119. 

  119.     </ul>
    120. 

  120. 

  121.     <ul>
    122. 

  122.       <li><span class="hanzi">妈妈 会 做 饭。</span> <br/><span class="vert">statement</span><br/> <span class="pinyin">Māma huì zuò fàn.</span><br/> Mom knows how to cook.</li>
    123. 

  123. 

  124.       <li><span class="hanzi">妈妈 会 做 饭 吗 ？</span> <br/><span class="vert">question</span><br/> <span class="pinyin">Māma huì zuò fàn ma ?</span><br/> Does mom know how to cook?</li>
    125. 

  125.     </ul>
    126. 

  126. 

  127.     <ul>
    128. 

  128.       <li><span class="hanzi">你 昨天 没 去 上班。</span> <br/><span class="vert">statement</span> <br/><span class="pinyin">Nǐ zuótiān méi qù shàngbān.</span> <br/>You didn't go to work yesterday.</li>
    129. 

  129. 

  130.       <li><span class="hanzi">你 昨天 没 去 上班 吗 ？</span><br/> <span class="vert">question</span> <br/><span class="pinyin">Nǐ zuótiān méi qù shàngbān ma ?</span><br/> Did you not go to work yesterday?</li>
    131. 

  131.     </ul>
    132. 

  132. 

  133.     <p><br/></p>
    134. 

  134.   </div>
    135. 

  135. 

  136.   <p>It's important to remember that you do not normally add <span class="hanzi">吗</span> (<span class="pinyin">ma</span>) to a sentence that's <i>already a question</i>. For example:</p>
    137. 

  137. 

  138.   <div class="exemple">
    139. 

  139.     <ul>
    140. 

  140.       <li><span class="hanzi">你 是 谁 吗 ？</span> <br/><span class="hanzi">谁</span> is a question <span class="vert">word</span> <br/><span class="pinyin">Nǐ shì shéi ma ?</span></li>
    141. 

  141. 

  142.       <li><span class="hanzi">这 是 不 是 书 吗 ？</span><br/> <span class="hanzi">是不是</span> is a question <span class="vert">pattern</span> <br/><span class="pinyin">Zhè shì bù shì shū ma ?</span></li>
    143. 

  143.     </ul>
    144. 

  144.   </div>
    145. 

  145. 

  146.   <p>These would be something like "Are you who are you?" and "Is this is a book?" in English, both obviously ungrammatical. Still, if you're not careful, you may find yourself throwing a <span class="hanzi">吗</span> (<span class="pinyin">ma</span>) onto the end of a question that doesn't need it. Many learners make this mistake, so don't worry if it happens every once in a while, just catch it and remember it the next time.</p>
    147. 

  147. 

  148.   <h2 id="sigil_toc_id_276"><span id="More_Advanced_Usage">More Advanced Usage</span></h2>
    149. 

  149. 

  150.   <p>However, this doesn't mean that a sentence <i>can't ever</i> have a question word and <span class="hanzi">吗</span> (<span class="pinyin">ma</span>). If a sentence contains verbs of understanding such as "<span class="hanzi">知道</span> (<span class="pinyin">zhīdao</span>),<span class="hanzi">了解</span> (<span class="pinyin">liǎojié</span>), <span class="hanzi">明白</span> (<span class="pinyin">míngbai</span>), <span class="hanzi">认识</span> (<span class="pinyin">rènshi</span>)" etc, then "<span class="hanzi">吗</span>" (<span class="pinyin">ma</span>) can still be added at the end of the question.</p>
    151. 

  151. 

  152.   <p>This is not a necessary pattern for a beginner to know, but you may also wish to read about <a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Advanced_yes-no_questions_with_%22ma%22" title="Advanced yes-no questions with &quot;ma&quot;">advanced yes-no questions with "ma"</a>.</p>
    153. 

  153. 

  154.   <h2 id="sigil_toc_id_277">See also</h2>
    155. 

  155. 

  156.   <ul>
    157. 

  157.     <li><a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Tag_questions_with_%22ma%22" title="Tag questions with &quot;ma&quot;">Tag questions with "ma"</a></li>
    158. 

  158. 

  159.     <li><a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Affirmative-negative_questions" title="Affirmative-negative questions" class="mw-redirect">Affirmative-negative questions</a></li>
    160. 

  160. 

  161.     <li><a href="https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Questions_with_%22ne%22" title="Questions with &quot;ne&quot;">Questions with "ne"</a></li>
    162. 

  162.   </ul>
    163. 

  163. 

  164.   <h2 id="sigil_toc_id_278">Sources and further reading</h2>
    165. 

  165. 

  166.   <h3 id="sigil_toc_id_279">Videos</h3>
    167. 

  167. 

  168.   <ul>
    169. 

  169.     <li>Yoyo Chinese: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NT6in-ufGQ&amp;list=PL94A5E422FB99CDDD">Yes-no Questions with <span class="hanzi">吗</span></a></li>
    170. 

  170.   </ul>
    171. 

  171. 

  172.   <h3 id="sigil_toc_id_280">Books</h3>
    173. 

  173. 

  174.   <ul>
    175. 

  175.     <li>Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 138-40)</li>
    176. 

  176. 

  177.     <li>&gt;Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 29-30)　</li>
    178. 

  178. 

  179.     <li>New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (<span class="hanzi">新实用汉语课本1</span>) (p. 21)</li>
    180. 

  180. 

  181.     <li>New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (<span class="hanzi">新实用汉语课本1</span>)(2nd ed) (pp. 23, 250)</li>
    182. 

  182.   </ul>
    183. 

  183. </body>
    184. 

  184. </html>
    185.