Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Question-Words-and-Question-Structure

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Mandarin Chinese → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Sentence Structure and Word Order → Question Words and Question Structure

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the topic of question words and interrogative sentence structure in Mandarin Chinese. Asking questions is an essential part of communication, and understanding how to form questions correctly will greatly enhance your ability to engage in conversations and gather information. As a complete beginner, it is important to grasp the basic concepts of question words and question structure to progress to the A1 level in Mandarin Chinese. Let's dive in and explore this fascinating aspect of the language!

Question Words

Question words, also known as interrogative pronouns, are essential for asking questions in Mandarin Chinese. These words help us seek specific information or inquire about various aspects of a situation. Here are some commonly used question words:

1. 什么 (shénme) - What

The question word "什么" is used to ask about general objects, things, or ideas. It is similar to the English word "what." Let's look at some examples:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
你想要什么？	Nǐ xiǎng yào shénme?	What do you want?
这是什么？	Zhè shì shénme?	What is this?
你在做什么？	Nǐ zài zuò shénme?	What are you doing?

2. 哪里 (nǎlǐ) - Where

The question word "哪里" is used to ask about locations or places. It is similar to the English word "where." Let's see some examples:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
你住在哪里？	Nǐ zhù zài nǎlǐ?	Where do you live?
他在哪里工作？	Tā zài nǎlǐ gōngzuò?	Where does he work?
你去哪里旅行了？	Nǐ qù nǎlǐ lǚxíng le?	Where did you travel to?

3. 什么时候 (shénme shíhòu) - When

The question phrase "什么时候" is used to ask about specific times or periods. It is similar to the English word "when." Let's look at some examples:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
你什么时候来？	Nǐ shénme shíhòu lái?	When are you coming?
我们什么时候开始？	Wǒmen shénme shíhòu kāishǐ?	When do we start?
他什么时候回来？	Tā shénme shíhòu huílái?	When will he come back?

4. 谁 (shéi) - Who

The question word "谁" is used to ask about specific individuals or people. It is similar to the English word "who." Let's see some examples:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
你是谁？	Nǐ shì shéi?	Who are you?
这是谁的书？	Zhè shì shéi de shū?	Whose book is this?
你们认识谁？	Nǐmen rènshi shéi?	Who do you know?

5. 为什么 (wèishénme) - Why

The question phrase "为什么" is used to ask about reasons or causes. It is similar to the English word "why." Let's look at some examples:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
你为什么生气？	Nǐ wèishénme shēngqì?	Why are you angry?
她为什么不来？	Tā wèishénme bù lái?	Why isn't she coming?
你为什么学中文？	Nǐ wèishénme xué Zhōngwén?	Why are you learning Chinese?

6. 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) - How

The question phrase "怎么样" is used to ask about the manner or condition of something. It is similar to the English word "how." Let's see some examples:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
你觉得怎么样？	Nǐ juéde zěnmeyàng?	How do you feel?
这个电影怎么样？	Zhège diànyǐng zěnmeyàng?	How is this movie?
你的中文进步得怎么样？	Nǐ de Zhōngwén jìnbù dé zěnmeyàng?	How is your Chinese progress?

7. 多少 (duōshǎo) - How Much/Many

The question phrase "多少" is used to ask about quantities or amounts. It can mean "how much" or "how many" depending on the context. Let's look at some examples:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
这个多少钱？	Zhège duōshǎo qián?	How much is this?
你有多少兄弟姐妹？	Nǐ yǒu duōshǎo xiōngdì jiěmèi?	How many siblings do you have?
你学了多少年中文？	Nǐ xué le duōshǎo nián Zhōngwén?	How many years have you been studying Chinese?

Question Structure

In Mandarin Chinese, the structure of a question is slightly different from that of a statement. Let's explore the basic question structure and how to form questions in Mandarin Chinese.

1. Question Particle "吗" (ma)

The most common way to form a yes/no question in Mandarin Chinese is by adding the question particle "吗" (ma) at the end of a statement. This particle turns a statement into a question. Let's see some examples:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
你喜欢吃中国菜。	Nǐ xǐhuān chī Zhōngguó cài.	You like to eat Chinese food.
你喜欢吃中国菜吗？	Nǐ xǐhuān chī Zhōngguó cài ma?	Do you like to eat Chinese food?
他会说英文。	Tā huì shuō Yīngwén.	He can speak English.
他会说英文吗？	Tā huì shuō Yīngwén ma?	Can he speak English?

2. Question Words + Verb + Subject Structure

When using question words, the basic structure of a question is: Question Word + Verb + Subject. The verb is placed before the subject in interrogative sentences. Let's see some examples:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
你喜欢吃什么？	Nǐ xǐhuān chī shénme?	What do you like to eat?
他在哪里工作？	Tā zài nǎlǐ gōngzuò?	Where does he work?
你什么时候开始旅行？	Nǐ shénme shíhòu kāishǐ lǚxíng?	When do you start traveling?
这个是谁的书？	Zhège shì shéi de shū?	Whose book is this?

3. Question Words + Verb + Object + Subject Structure

In some cases, when using certain question words, we need to include the object in the question structure. The structure becomes: Question Word + Verb + Object + Subject. Let's look at some examples:

Mandarin Chinese	Pronunciation	English Translation
你想要什么？	Nǐ xiǎng yào shénme?	What do you want?
你认识谁？	Nǐ rènshi shéi?	Who do you know?
你听到什么声音了？	Nǐ tīng dào shénme shēngyīn le?	What sound did you hear?
你喜欢吃多少个苹果？	Nǐ xǐhuān chī duōshǎo gè píngguǒ?	How many apples do you like to eat?

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have explored the important topic of question words and question structure in Mandarin Chinese. We have learned about various question words and how to form questions using different sentence structures. Mastering this aspect of the language will greatly improve your ability to communicate and understand conversations in Mandarin Chinese. Keep practicing and incorporating these question words and structures into your language learning journey. 加油! (Jiāyóu!) Keep up the good work!

Table of Contents - Mandarin Chinese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Pinyin and Tones

• Pinyin Introduction
• Tones Introduction
• Tone Pairs

  ---

Greetings and Basic Expressions

• Greeting People
• Basic Expressions
• Numbers and Counters

  ---

Sentence Structure and Word Order

• Subject-Verb-Object Structure
• Question Words and Question Structure
• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Negation and Conjunctions
• Particles and Structure Particles

  ---

Daily Life and Survival Expressions

• Asking for Directions
• Ordering Food and Drinks
• Shopping and Bargaining
• Transport and Travel
• Emergencies and Medical Care

  ---

Chinese Festivals and Traditions

• Spring Festival and Chunyun
• Mid-Autumn Festival and Mooncakes
• Dragon Boat Festival and Zongzi
• Double Ninth Festival and Chongyang Cake

  ---

Verbs and Verb Usage

• Action Verbs and Stative Verbs
• Modal Verbs and Auxiliary Verbs
• Complex Verb Phrases

  ---

Hobbies, Sports and Activities

• Leisure Activities and Hobbies
• Sports and Exercise
• Outdoor Activities and Nature
• Music and Film

  ---

China's Geography and Landmarks

• China's Four Great Ancient Capitals
• Famous Chinese Mountains and Rivers
• China's Great Wall

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Common and Proper Nouns
• Personal Pronouns and Possessive Pronouns
• Demonstrative Pronouns and Interrogative Pronouns

  ---

Professions and Personality Traits

• Professions and Jobs
• Personality Traits and Characteristics
• Emotions and Feelings

  ---

Chinese Traditional Arts and Crafts

• Chinese Calligraphy and Painting
• Chinese Opera and Drama
• Chinese Knots and Paper-cutting

  ---

Comparative and Superlative

• Comparative Form and Usage
• Superlative Form and Usage

  ---

Cities, Countries and Tourist Destinations

• Chinese and International Cities
• Country Names and Nationalities
• Tourist Attractions and Transportation

  ---

Modern China and Current Events

• China's Economy and Business Landscape
• Chinese Art and Entertainment Scene
• Current Events and Issues in China and Beyond

Other Lessons

• 也 yě
• 和 (hé)
• 吗 ma
• Use the verb 去 (qù)
• Be Polite
• Plural
• Time
• Separable verbs
• Subject Verb Object Structure
• 0 to A1 Course

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Next Lesson — Adjectives and Adverbs ▶️