Chinese Question Particles: 吗 ma,  呢 ne, and 吧 ba

In this post we’ll cover three Chinese question particles. First, we’ll look at the yes/no question particle 吗 ma. Then we’ll turn to the “turnaround” particle 呢 ne. Finally, we’ll see the confirmation particle 吧 ba. For each particle, we’ll give a simple explanation of the meaning it carries, along with several examples.

吗 ma: Yes/No Question Particle

To form a yes/no question in Chinese, just put the question particle 吗 ma at the end of a statement.

Structure: [Statement] + 吗 ma?

For example, we can start with these two statements.

• 你会中文。
  Nǐ huì zhōngwén.
  You speak Chinese.
• 这是你住的酒店。
  Zhè shì nǐ zhù de jiǔ diàn.
  This is your hotel.

To turn them into yes/no questions, just add 吗 ma:

• 你会中文吗？
  Nǐ huì zhōngwén ma?
  Do you speak Chinese?
• 这是你住的酒店吗？
  Zhè shì nǐ zhù de jiǔ diàn ma?
  Is this your hotel?

Just remember that 吗 ma is only used with questions that can be answered with a yes or no. It’s never used in open ended questions or questions with question words like 什么 shénme (what) or 谁 shéi (who). And in Chinese, you don’t have to change the word order to form a question, just add 吗 ma.

• 你是老师吗？
  Nǐ shì lǎoshī ma?
  Are you a teacher?
• 附近有公共厕所吗？
  Fù jìn yǒu gōng gòng cè suǒ ma?Is there a public toilet nearby?
• 这儿远吗？
  Lí zhèr yuǎn ma?Is it far from here?
• 你有英文菜单吗？
  Nǐ yǒu Yīngwén càidān ma?Do you have a menu in English?

呢 ne: Turnaround Particle

The particle 呢 ne has several uses in Chinese, but the most basic one translates as something like how about…? or what about…?

Structure: [Topic] + 呢 ne?

• 我很好，你呢？
  Wǒ hěn hǎo, nǐ ne?
  I’m fine, and you?
• 我想要点茶。你呢？
  Wǒ xiǎng yàodiǎn chá. Nǐ ne?
  I’d like some tea. How about you?
• 你妈妈是中国人。你爸爸呢？
  Nǐ māmā shì zhōngguó rén. Nǐ bàba ne?
  Your mom’s Chinese. What about your dad?

The particle 呢 ne can also be used with questions to add a softer or more inquisitive tone. Compare:

Structure: [Question] + 呢 ne?

• 他在哪儿？
  Tā zài nǎr?
  Where is he?
• 他在哪儿呢？
  Tā zài nǎr ne?
  Now, where is he? Where could he be?

呢 ne is also used to soften questions that might sound too rude or abrupt otherwise. For example, these questions can be a bit too direct:

• 你那样感觉的原因是什么？
  Nǐ nàyàng gǎnjué de yuányīn shì shénme?
  Why do you feel that way? (could sound challenging)
• 你来不来？
  Nǐ lái bu lái?
  Are you coming or not?! (could sound too direct)

But if you add 呢 ne, the tone becomes more inviting.

• 你那样感觉的原因是什么呢？
  Nǐ nàyàng gǎnjué de yuányīn shì shénme ne?
  Why do you feel that way? (an inviting tone, not a challenging tone)
• 你来不来呢？
  Nǐ lái bu lái ne?
  Are you coming? (a genuine question, an inquisitive tone)

吧 ba: Confirmation Particle

The particle 吧 ba adds an inviting tone to a question. It’s very similar in this use to adding words like right? or don’t you think? to questions in English when you’re not 100% certain of the answer.

Structure: [Statement] + 吧 ba?

• …对吧？
  …duì ba?
  …Right?
• …好吧 ？
  …hǎoba?
  …OK?
• 你是老师吧？
  Nǐ shì lǎoshī ba?
  You’re a teacher, right?
• 他应该在家吧？
  Tā yīnggāi zài jiā ba?
  He’s probably at home, don’t you think?

吧 ba is also used to give gentle commands or to make polite requests or invitations.

Structure: [Command/Suggestion] + 吧 ba

• 别说话了吧。
  Bié shuōhuà le ba.
  Stop talking, okay?
• 给我一点时间吧。
  Gěi wǒ yìdiǎn shíjiān ba.
  Could you give me a bit of time, please?
• 我们在家看电影吧。
  Wǒmen zàijiā kàn diànyǐng ba.
  How about we watch the movie at home?
• 开空调吧！
  Kāi kòngtiáo ba!
  Go ahead and put the air-conditioner on!
• 我们去骑自行车吧。
  Wǒmen qù qí zìxíngchē ba.
  Let’s go for a bike ride.

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