Chinese · Question Words

ma

Question particle

Beginnerparticle

Definition

Added to the end of a sentence to make it a yes-no question.

Example

你是中国人吗?

Are you Chinese?

Etymology

'吗' (ma) is a question particle that originated from ancient Chinese grammar used to denote yes/no questions. Its simplicity reflects the linguistic evolution towards concise expression.

How & Where It’s Used

'吗' (ma) is used primarily in spoken language to form yes/no questions, appearing in informal conversations and widely recognized across different Chinese dialects.

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