Toll Free - U.S.& Canada:  1-800-791-9386   Hong Kong:  800-902-058   Australia:  1-800-779-835
Free online Chinese learning support
  • Follow us on Facebook!
  • Watch Our YouTube Videos!
  • Follow us on Twitter!
  • Follow us on WeChat!
    Follow Us in WeChat by Scanning!
    Follow Us in "WeChat"
    by Scanning
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Explore Our Instagram Videos & Photos!
United Kingdom:  0-800-086-8969   Germany:  0-800-180-0341   Singapore:  800-130-1652
France:  0-805-080-689   Spain:  900-838-906    

Answer to The Ultimate Chinese Question Everyone Asks, Answered at Last

Apr. 24, 2019

Answers:
1. C    2. A   3. B  

Analysis:

     Zhè dào shùxué tí nǐ huì zuò ma?
#1 这道数学题你会做吗?
     Can you do this math problem?

Grammar note: (Yes-no questions with “ma”)
The particle “吗 (ma)” is a simple way to form questions in Chinese. By placing “吗 (ma)” after a statement it can be converted into a yes-no question.

For example:
Nǐ xǐhuān chī dàngāo ma?
你喜欢吃蛋糕吗?
Do you like eating cake?

     Zhè dào shùxué tí zěnme zuò ne?
#2 这道数学题怎么做呢?
     How do you do this math problem?

Grammar note: (Questions with “ne”)
The particle “呢 (ne)” can be used to ask reciprocal questions. For example, “我是中国人,你呢?(wǒ shì Zhōngguó rén, nǐ ne?) I’m Chinese. How about you?” And “呢 (ne)” can also be used to form simple questions asking “what …?” or “how …?”

For example:
Tā liǎ hézuò huì yǒu shénme yíngxiǎng ne?
他俩合作会有什么影响呢?
What impact will it have on their cooperation?

     Zhè dào shùxué tí nǐ zuò bú xiàqù le ba!
#3 这道数学题你做不下去了吧!
     You must be stuck on this math problem!

Grammar note: (Softening speech with “ba”)
The particle “吧 (ba)” can be used to soften the tone of a sentence, which could make it more polite, less forceful, or express exclamations or speculations.

For example:
Wǒmēn qǐng tā chīfàn ba.
我们请他吃饭吧。
Let’s treat him to dinner.

<<Back to “The Ultimate Chinese Question Everyone Asks, Answered at Last”

Learn Further About the Question Article:
Video Lesson: You’re Vivian, Aren’t You? (Part III)
Jennifer’s Grammar Lecture – How Do We Use “吧 (Ba)?” (Intermediate)
Asking Questions with “吗 (Ma),” “呢 (Ne),” or “吧 (Ba)”

HSK Test

General Chinese (Beginner Level) 

General Chinese (Intermediate Level) 

Got questions? Take a free 1-to-1 lesson with one of our professional teachers by signing up below:
Name: 
E-mail: 
Country/Region: 
-select-

search no result

Tel: 
By clicking Submit, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Your email address and phone number
will be kept STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
Submit

Write a comment

Your Name: 
Your Email:  Your email address will not be published.
Comments: 
Verification Code:  Verification Code Unclear? Try another one
By clicking Submit, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Email This Article
Recipients' email addresses:
(separate recipients with comma)
Your name:
Your e-mail address (optional):
Your message (optional):
Verification Code:
By clicking Send, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.


Get 11 FREE Mandarin E-books
Sign up for a free trial now!
Get more information about our Chinese lessons through live chat
Get a FREE live 1-to-1 lesson and FREE e-books. Complete the form below:
Name:
E-mail:
Country/Region:
-select-

search no result

Tel:
By clicking Submit, you agree to our
Terms of Service
and Privacy Policy.
Your email address and phone number
will be kept STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.