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<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Yue-chinese|Yue Chinese]]  → [[Language/Yue-chinese/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Yue-chinese/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Intermediate Grammar → Questions</div>


<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Yue-chinese|Yue Chinese]]  → [[Language/Yue-chinese/Grammar|Grammar]] → Questions</div>
__TOC__
Hi [https://polyglotclub.com/language/yue-chinese Yue Chinese] learners! 😊<br>In this lesson, we will learn about asking questions in Yue Chinese. Asking questions is essential in communication, and Yue Chinese has several ways to inquire about information. We will cover different types of questions, including yes-no questions, wh- questions, and tag questions. We will also provide cultural information and interesting facts to enrich your learning experience. Don't forget to practice and use the [https://polyglotclub.com/find-friends.php?search=send&d=0&f=36&offre1=27 Find native speakers] to ask any [https://polyglotclub.com/language/yue-chinese/question questions] you may have! Let's get started!


__TOC__
== Introduction ==
In this lesson, we will delve into the topic of asking and answering questions in Yue Chinese. Questions play a crucial role in communication as they allow us to seek information, clarify doubts, and engage in meaningful conversations. Mastering the art of asking questions will greatly enhance your ability to understand and express yourself in Yue Chinese.
 
We will explore the different question words used in Yue Chinese and examine their usage in various contexts. Additionally, we will provide numerous examples to illustrate each point, ensuring a clear and thorough understanding of the topic. To make the learning experience more engaging, we will also share interesting cultural facts and anecdotes related to question formation in Yue Chinese.
 
By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid grasp of question formation in Yue Chinese and be able to confidently ask and answer questions using the appropriate question words.
 
== Asking Questions ==
Asking questions in Yue Chinese involves using specific question words to seek information. These question words can be classified into different categories based on the type of information they elicit. Let's explore each category in detail:


== Yes-No Questions ==
=== Yes/No Questions ===
One way to form yes-no questions is by using the particle 唔 "m4". This particle is placed at the end of the sentence to indicate a question. For example:
Yes/No questions are questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." In Yue Chinese, these questions are formed by adding the question particle "m4" (唔) or "m4 hai6" (唔係) at the end of a statement. The question particle depends on the verb tense used in the statement.


For example:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Yue Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English
! Yue Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
| 你食餐飯。 || Nei5 sik6 caan1 faan6. || You eat rice.
|-
|-
| 你識唔識講廣東話？ || nei5 sik1 m4 sik1 gong2 gwong2 dung1 waa2? || Do you know how to speak Cantonese?
| 你食餐飯唔？ || Nei5 sik6 caan1 faan6 m4? || Do you eat rice?
|}
|}


Notice how the particle "m4" changes the tone of the sentence, making it raise at the end. This tone change is necessary to indicate that it is a question.
In the example above, the statement "你食餐飯。" (Nei5 sik6 caan1 faan6.) means "You eat rice." By adding the question particle "唔" (m4) at the end, we can transform it into the question "你食餐飯唔？" (Nei5 sik6 caan1 faan6 m4?) which means "Do you eat rice?"
 
=== WH- Questions ===
WH- questions are questions that seek specific information such as who, what, when, where, why, and how. In Yue Chinese, these questions are formed by using the appropriate question word at the beginning of the sentence.
 
Here are some common WH- question words in Yue Chinese:


Another way to ask yes-no questions is by repeating the verb or adjective and adding 否 "fou6" at the end. This construction is similar to the English construction "Is it...or not?" For example:
* 乜嘢 (mat1 je5) - What
* 點解 (dim2 gaai2) - Why
* 幾時 (gei2 si4) - When
* 邊度 (bin1 dou6) - Where
* 點樣 (dim2 joeng6) - How


For example:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Yue Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English
! Yue Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
|-
| 佢係唔係香港人？ || keoi5 hai6 m4 hai6 hoeng1 gong2 jan4? || Is he/she from Hong Kong or not?
| 你做乜嘢？ || Nei5 zou6 mat1 je5? || What are you doing?
|-
| 點解你唔食飯？ || Dim2 gaai2 nei5 m4 sik6 faan6? || Why don't you eat rice?
|}
|}


This construction can also be shortened to just the verb/adjective and 否 "fou6". For example:
In the first example, we use the question word "乜嘢" (mat1 je5) which means "What." The question "你做乜嘢？" (Nei5 zou6 mat1 je5?) translates to "What are you doing?"


{| class="wikitable"
In the second example, we use the question word "點解" (dim2 gaai2) which means "Why." The question "點解你唔食飯？" (Dim2 gaai2 nei5 m4 sik6 faan6?) translates to "Why don't you eat rice?"
! Yue Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| 你識唔識唱歌否？ || nei5 sik1 m4 sik1 coeng3 go1 fou6? || Can you sing or not?
|}


== Wh- Questions ==
=== Choice Questions ===
Wh- questions begin with a question word, such as "what", "where", "when", "why", "who", or "how". In Yue Chinese, the typical construction is to place the question word at the beginning of the sentence. For example:
Choice questions are questions that present options and require the selection of one or more choices. In Yue Chinese, these questions are formed by using the question word "邊個" (bin1 go3) which means "which one."


For example:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Yue Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English
! Yue Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
|-
| 點解你唔識講廣東話？ || dim2 gaai2 nei5 m4 sik1 gong2 gwong2 dung1 waa2? || Why don't you know how to speak Cantonese?
| 你想飲乜嘢？ || Nei5 soeng2 jam2 mat1 je5? || What do you want to drink?
|-
|-
| 你係邊到人？ || nei5 hai6 bin1 dou2 jan4? || Where are you from?
| 你想飲邊個？ || Nei5 soeng2 jam2 bin1 go3? || Which one do you want to drink?
|-
| 幾點鐘？ || gei2 dim2 jung1? || What time is it?
|-
| 點樣做？ || dim2 yeung6 zou6? || How to do?
|-
| 點解你識講日語？ || dim2 gaai2 nei5 sik1 gong2 jat6 jyu5? || Why do you know how to speak Japanese?
|}
|}


Notice how the sentence structure is the same as a statement, but with a question word replacing the subject, object, or the location.
In the first example, we ask "你想飲乜嘢？" (Nei5 soeng2 jam2 mat1 je5?) which means "What do you want to drink?" In the second example, we ask "你想飲邊個？" (Nei5 soeng2 jam2 bin1 go3?) which means "Which one do you want to drink?"


There are other ways to form wh- questions in Yue Chinese, such as by using the construction 係唔係 "hai6 m4 hai6" (similar to the English construction "Is it...?") or by using the verb 有冇 "jau5 mou5" (which means "have or not have" and is used to inquire about the presence or absence of something). For example:
=== Tag Questions ===
Tag questions are short questions added at the end of a statement to seek confirmation or agreement. In Yue Chinese, these questions are formed by using the question particle "咩" (me1) or "唔係咩" (m4 hai6 me1) at the end of a statement. The question particle used depends on the verb tense used in the statement.


For example:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Yue Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English
! Yue Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
|-
| 係唔係呢個？ || hai6 m4 hai6 ni1 go3? || Is this one?
| 你係香港人。 || Nei5 hai6 hoeng1 gong2 jan4. || You are from Hong Kong.
|-
|-
| 你有冇問題？ || nei5 jau5 mou5 man6 tai4? || Do you have any questions?
| 你係香港人咩？ || Nei5 hai6 hoeng1 gong2 jan4 me1? || You are from Hong Kong, right?
|}
|}


== Tag Questions ==
In the example above, the statement "你係香港人。" (Nei5 hai6 hoeng1 gong2 jan4.) means "You are from Hong Kong." By adding the tag question "咩" (me1) at the end, we can transform it into the question "你係香港人咩？" (Nei5 hai6 hoeng1 gong2 jan4 me1?) which means "You are from Hong Kong, right?"
Tag questions are short sentences added at the end of a statement to ask for confirmation or agreement. In English, tag questions typically use the construction "isn't it?" or "don't you?" In Yue Chinese, the typical construction is to use the particle 呢 "ne1". For example:
 
== Cultural Insights ==
As we explore the grammar of asking questions in Yue Chinese, it's important to note that language is not just a tool for communication but also a reflection of the culture and history of its speakers. In Yue Chinese, the usage of question words can vary across different regions and may be influenced by historical factors.
 
For example, in some regions of Guangdong Province, the question word "點解" (dim2 gaai2) which means "Why" is often pronounced as "點耐" (dim2 noi6). This regional variation reflects the unique linguistic characteristics of the area and adds diversity to the Yue Chinese language.


{| class="wikitable"
Historically, Yue Chinese has been influenced by other Chinese dialects and neighboring languages. This influence can be seen in the vocabulary and pronunciation of question words. For instance, the question word "乜嘢" (mat1 je5) which means "What" in Yue Chinese has similarities to the Mandarin Chinese word "什麼" (shénme). This linguistic cross-pollination highlights the interconnectedness of different Chinese languages and the rich linguistic heritage of the region.
! Yue Chinese !! Pronunciation !! English
 
|-
== Practice Exercises ==
| 你識講廣東話咖喺？ || nei5 sik1 gong2 gwong2 dung1 waa2 gaa3 hai2? || You know how to speak Cantonese, right?
Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Below are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of question formation in Yue Chinese. Try to answer each question and then check your answers with the provided solutions.
|}
 
Exercise 1:
Translate the following sentences into Yue Chinese, using the appropriate question words.
 
1. What is your name?
2. When is your birthday?
3. Where do you live?
4. Why are you late?
5. Which movie do you want to watch?
 
Exercise 2:
Formulate a question based on the given statement using the correct question word.
 
1. Statement: 你食唔食魚？ (Nei5 sik6 m4 sik6 jyu4?) - Do you eat fish?
  Question Word: ________


Notice how the particle "ne1" is placed after the verb or adjective and before the final particle (if there is one). This construction serves to confirm or seek agreement from the listener.
2. Statement: 佢點解唔返屋企？ (Keoi5 dim2 gaai2 m4 faan1 uk1 kei2?) - Why doesn't he/she go home?
  Question Word: ________


== Dialogue ==
Solutions:
* Person 1: 點解你唔識講廣東話？ (Why don't you know how to speak Cantonese?)
* Person 2: 因為我係美國人，唔係香港人。(Because I am American, not from Hong Kong.)


* Person 1: 你識唔識唱歌？ (Can you sing?)
Exercise 1:
* Person 2: 唔識。 (No, I can't.)
1. 你叫咩名？ (Nei5 giu3 me1 meng2?)
2. 你幾時生日？ (Nei5 gei2 si4 sang1 jat6?)
3. 你住邊度？ (Nei5 zyu6 bin1 dou6?)
4. 你點解遲咗？ (Nei5 dim2 gaai2 ci4 zo2?)
5. 你想睇邊套戲？ (Nei5 soeng2 tai2 bin1 tou1 hei3?)


* Person 1: 飲嘢未？ (Have you eaten?)
Exercise 2:
* Person 2: 食咗啦，你呢？ (Yes, I have. How about you?)
1. Question Word: 乜嘢 (mat1 je5)
2. Question Word: 點解 (dim2 gaai2)


== Cultural Information and Interesting Facts ==
== Conclusion ==
- In Hong Kong, it is common to greet people by asking "食咗未？" (Have you eaten?). This question serves as a greeting and acknowledges the importance of food in Cantonese culture.
Congratulations! You have successfully completed the lesson on asking questions in Yue Chinese. By understanding the different question words and their usage, you are now equipped to ask and answer questions with confidence. Remember to practice using these question words in your conversations to further solidify your understanding.
- The wh- word "點解" (dim2 gaai2) means "why" and is derived from a combination of the characters "點" (dim2), which means "what", and "解" (gaai2), which means "reason". Therefore, "點解" literally means "what reason" or "for what reason".
- In informal situations, it is common to use the particle "咪" (mai6) instead of "唔" (m4) to form yes-no questions. For example, instead of saying "你識唔識講廣東話？" (Do you know how to speak Cantonese?), one could say "你識咪識講廣東話？" to indicate a more casual and informal tone.
- Cantonese is a tonal language, which means that the meaning of a word changes depending on the tone used to pronounce it. There are six tones in Cantonese, which can make it challenging for non-native speakers to master the language.


== Sources ==
Continue building your knowledge and skills in the "Complete 0 to A1 Yue Chinese Course" by exploring the next lesson on Chinese Festivals. Gain insights into the rich cultural traditions and celebrations that define Chinese festivals.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yue_Chinese Yue Chinese - Wikipedia]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantonese Cantonese - Wikipedia]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_grammar Chinese Grammar - Wikipedia]


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Yue Chinese Grammar - Questions
|title=Yue Chinese Grammar → Intermediate Grammar → Questions
|keywords=Yue Chinese, grammar, questions, Cantonese, wh- questions, yes-no questions, tag questions, Chinese language
|keywords=Yue Chinese, intermediate grammar, questions, question formation, question words, cultural insights, practice exercises
|description=Learn how to ask questions in Yue Chinese: yes-no questions, wh- questions, and tag questions. Discover interesting facts about Cantonese and its grammar.
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to ask and answer questions in Yue Chinese with the appropriate question words. Explore the cultural insights and practice exercises to enhance your understanding.
}}
}}
{{Yue-chinese-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}
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==Other Lessons==
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* [[Language/Yue-chinese/Grammar/Future-Tense|Future Tense]]
* [[Language/Yue-chinese/Grammar/Negation|Negation]]
* [[Language/Yue-chinese/Grammar/Negation|Negation]]


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Revision as of 08:25, 18 June 2023


3BA6641D-6B53-4D40-A445-E14E1BE72CCF.png
Yue Chinese → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Intermediate Grammar → Questions

Introduction

In this lesson, we will delve into the topic of asking and answering questions in Yue Chinese. Questions play a crucial role in communication as they allow us to seek information, clarify doubts, and engage in meaningful conversations. Mastering the art of asking questions will greatly enhance your ability to understand and express yourself in Yue Chinese.

We will explore the different question words used in Yue Chinese and examine their usage in various contexts. Additionally, we will provide numerous examples to illustrate each point, ensuring a clear and thorough understanding of the topic. To make the learning experience more engaging, we will also share interesting cultural facts and anecdotes related to question formation in Yue Chinese.

By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid grasp of question formation in Yue Chinese and be able to confidently ask and answer questions using the appropriate question words.

Asking Questions

Asking questions in Yue Chinese involves using specific question words to seek information. These question words can be classified into different categories based on the type of information they elicit. Let's explore each category in detail:

Yes/No Questions

Yes/No questions are questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." In Yue Chinese, these questions are formed by adding the question particle "m4" (唔) or "m4 hai6" (唔係) at the end of a statement. The question particle depends on the verb tense used in the statement.

For example:

Yue Chinese Pronunciation English Translation
你食餐飯。 Nei5 sik6 caan1 faan6. You eat rice.
你食餐飯唔？ Nei5 sik6 caan1 faan6 m4? Do you eat rice?

In the example above, the statement "你食餐飯。" (Nei5 sik6 caan1 faan6.) means "You eat rice." By adding the question particle "唔" (m4) at the end, we can transform it into the question "你食餐飯唔？" (Nei5 sik6 caan1 faan6 m4?) which means "Do you eat rice?"

WH- Questions

WH- questions are questions that seek specific information such as who, what, when, where, why, and how. In Yue Chinese, these questions are formed by using the appropriate question word at the beginning of the sentence.

Here are some common WH- question words in Yue Chinese:

  • 乜嘢 (mat1 je5) - What
  • 點解 (dim2 gaai2) - Why
  • 幾時 (gei2 si4) - When
  • 邊度 (bin1 dou6) - Where
  • 點樣 (dim2 joeng6) - How

For example:

Yue Chinese Pronunciation English Translation
你做乜嘢？ Nei5 zou6 mat1 je5? What are you doing?
點解你唔食飯？ Dim2 gaai2 nei5 m4 sik6 faan6? Why don't you eat rice?

In the first example, we use the question word "乜嘢" (mat1 je5) which means "What." The question "你做乜嘢？" (Nei5 zou6 mat1 je5?) translates to "What are you doing?"

In the second example, we use the question word "點解" (dim2 gaai2) which means "Why." The question "點解你唔食飯？" (Dim2 gaai2 nei5 m4 sik6 faan6?) translates to "Why don't you eat rice?"

Choice Questions

Choice questions are questions that present options and require the selection of one or more choices. In Yue Chinese, these questions are formed by using the question word "邊個" (bin1 go3) which means "which one."

For example:

Yue Chinese Pronunciation English Translation
你想飲乜嘢？ Nei5 soeng2 jam2 mat1 je5? What do you want to drink?
你想飲邊個？ Nei5 soeng2 jam2 bin1 go3? Which one do you want to drink?

In the first example, we ask "你想飲乜嘢？" (Nei5 soeng2 jam2 mat1 je5?) which means "What do you want to drink?" In the second example, we ask "你想飲邊個？" (Nei5 soeng2 jam2 bin1 go3?) which means "Which one do you want to drink?"

Tag Questions

Tag questions are short questions added at the end of a statement to seek confirmation or agreement. In Yue Chinese, these questions are formed by using the question particle "咩" (me1) or "唔係咩" (m4 hai6 me1) at the end of a statement. The question particle used depends on the verb tense used in the statement.

For example:

Yue Chinese Pronunciation English Translation
你係香港人。 Nei5 hai6 hoeng1 gong2 jan4. You are from Hong Kong.
你係香港人咩？ Nei5 hai6 hoeng1 gong2 jan4 me1? You are from Hong Kong, right?

In the example above, the statement "你係香港人。" (Nei5 hai6 hoeng1 gong2 jan4.) means "You are from Hong Kong." By adding the tag question "咩" (me1) at the end, we can transform it into the question "你係香港人咩？" (Nei5 hai6 hoeng1 gong2 jan4 me1?) which means "You are from Hong Kong, right?"

Cultural Insights

As we explore the grammar of asking questions in Yue Chinese, it's important to note that language is not just a tool for communication but also a reflection of the culture and history of its speakers. In Yue Chinese, the usage of question words can vary across different regions and may be influenced by historical factors.

For example, in some regions of Guangdong Province, the question word "點解" (dim2 gaai2) which means "Why" is often pronounced as "點耐" (dim2 noi6). This regional variation reflects the unique linguistic characteristics of the area and adds diversity to the Yue Chinese language.

Historically, Yue Chinese has been influenced by other Chinese dialects and neighboring languages. This influence can be seen in the vocabulary and pronunciation of question words. For instance, the question word "乜嘢" (mat1 je5) which means "What" in Yue Chinese has similarities to the Mandarin Chinese word "什麼" (shénme). This linguistic cross-pollination highlights the interconnectedness of different Chinese languages and the rich linguistic heritage of the region.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Below are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of question formation in Yue Chinese. Try to answer each question and then check your answers with the provided solutions.

Exercise 1: Translate the following sentences into Yue Chinese, using the appropriate question words.

1. What is your name? 2. When is your birthday? 3. Where do you live? 4. Why are you late? 5. Which movie do you want to watch?

Exercise 2: Formulate a question based on the given statement using the correct question word.

1. Statement: 你食唔食魚？ (Nei5 sik6 m4 sik6 jyu4?) - Do you eat fish? 

  Question Word: ________

2. Statement: 佢點解唔返屋企？ (Keoi5 dim2 gaai2 m4 faan1 uk1 kei2?) - Why doesn't he/she go home? 

  Question Word: ________

Solutions:

Exercise 1: 1. 你叫咩名？ (Nei5 giu3 me1 meng2?) 2. 你幾時生日？ (Nei5 gei2 si4 sang1 jat6?) 3. 你住邊度？ (Nei5 zyu6 bin1 dou6?) 4. 你點解遲咗？ (Nei5 dim2 gaai2 ci4 zo2?) 5. 你想睇邊套戲？ (Nei5 soeng2 tai2 bin1 tou1 hei3?)

Exercise 2: 1. Question Word: 乜嘢 (mat1 je5) 2. Question Word: 點解 (dim2 gaai2)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the lesson on asking questions in Yue Chinese. By understanding the different question words and their usage, you are now equipped to ask and answer questions with confidence. Remember to practice using these question words in your conversations to further solidify your understanding.

Continue building your knowledge and skills in the "Complete 0 to A1 Yue Chinese Course" by exploring the next lesson on Chinese Festivals. Gain insights into the rich cultural traditions and celebrations that define Chinese festivals.

Table of Contents - Yue Chinese Course - 0 to A1


Greetings and Introductions


Basic Sentence Structure


Numbers and Time


Pronouns and Possessives


Family and Relationships


Adjectives and Adverbs


Food and Dining


Prepositions and Conjunctions


Travel and Transportation


Verb Tenses and Aspects


Yue Chinese Customs and Traditions


Shopping and Services


Comparatives and Superlatives


Yue Chinese Art and Literature



Other Lessons



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