2015-05-05

Chinese Particle Words 吗 and 呢 - Difference

The Chinese particles (ne) and (ma) are very commonly used in both written and spoken Chinese. How do we use them in Chinese? Now let’s check out the similarities and differences between the particle words  (ne) and (ma).

Similarities
•      Both and are used at the end of a sentence.
•      Both and can be used to form questions.
•      Both of them are pronounced in neutral tone.
 
Differences
•      is used to turn statements into yes-no questions.
For example:
zhè shì tú shū ɡuǎn
这是图书馆。
This is a library.

zhè shì tú shū ɡuǎn mɑ
这是图书馆吗?
Is this a library?

Another example can be found in the newbie Chinese podcast lesson from iChinesePodcast, a free website for beginners to learn Chinese with free audios.
 
•      is mostly used to turn statements into queries.
For example:
fànɡjià le, nǐ wèishénme bù chqu wán’ér ne
放假 了,你 为什么 出去 玩儿 呢?
It’s holiday time. Why not go out for fun?

wǒ jiào lǐqiánɡ, nǐne
李强,你呢?

My name is Li Qiang. What about you?

2 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Do you mean 你的名字是 “才餐厅热辣辣”? That's a strange name, but your sentence is correct.

      Delete