A1 · Débutant Chapitre 17

Asking Questions

7 Règles totales
66 exemples
5 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Transform from a listener into a curious conversationalist by mastering the art of the Chinese question.

  • Master simple yes/no questions using the particle 'ma'.
  • Use 'what', 'where', and 'who' without changing sentence order.
  • Apply the 'verb-not-verb' and 'choice' patterns for natural fluency.
Stop guessing, start asking: Your key to Chinese curiosity.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Hey there, ready for the next step in your Chinese adventure? This chapter is going to transform you from a listener into a curious question-asker! You're about to unlock the power of asking questions in Chinese, making you sound like a pro in no time. And guess what? It's way easier than you think! First, we’ll tackle the super simple 'yes/no' questions. All you have to do is add a tiny particle, 'ma' (吗), to the end of any statement. Want to ask 'Are you a student?' Just say 'You are a student ma?' – no need to change the word order, just tack it on! Then, we'll dive into asking 'what,' 'where,' and 'who.' Imagine you're trying to figure out 'what' something is (什么 shénme), 'where' someone is going (哪里 nǎlǐ / 哪儿 nǎr), or 'who' that person is (谁 shéi). The cool thing? These question words stay right where the answer would be. So if someone says 'That is a book,' and you don't know what it is, you'd just swap 'book' for 'what' – 'That is what?' Easy, right? Finally, we'll learn a clever trick called the 'verb-not-verb' pattern for another way to ask yes/no questions. Instead of 'Are you eating?', you’ll learn to say 'Eat not eat?' Just remember, if you use this trick, don't add 'ma' at the end! By the end of this chapter, you’ll be able to ask someone's name, inquire about directions, confirm information, or even ask if a restaurant has your favorite dish. You won't just be understanding Chinese; you'll be actively participating! Let's get started and make your Chinese conversations so much more engaging!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Convert any statement into a yes/no question using 吗 (ma).
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Inquire about objects, locations, and identities using question words in the correct position.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Offer choices or confirm actions using the V-not-V and 'háishi' patterns.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Welcome to your next exciting step in mastering A1 Chinese grammar! This chapter is all about empowering you to ask questions, transforming you from a passive listener into an active participant in conversations. Understanding how to ask questions is fundamental to real-world communication and accelerates your language learning journey.
You'll discover that asking questions in Chinese is often much simpler than in English, as it typically doesn't require changing word order. This guide will walk you through the essential structures, from simple yes/no questions to asking what, where, and who, equipping you with the tools to navigate everyday interactions with confidence.
By the end of this chapter, you’ll not only comprehend the mechanics of Chinese question words but also feel comfortable applying them in practical scenarios. Mastering these patterns is crucial for building a solid foundation in A1 Chinese, enabling you to gather information, confirm details, and truly engage with native speakers. Get ready to unlock new levels of curiosity and connection as we delve into the straightforward yet powerful world of Chinese interrogatives.
Let's make your learning experience engaging and effective!

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down the core patterns for asking questions in Chinese. You'll be surprised at how intuitive they are!
First up, Yes/No Questions with 吗 (ma). This is incredibly simple! You just take a regular statement and add 吗 (ma) at the very end. That's it! The word order remains exactly the same.
Example

你是学生。(Nǐ shì xuéshēng. - You are a student.)

Question: 你是学生吗？(Nǐ shì xuéshēng ma? - Are you a student?)

Example

他喜欢咖啡。(Tā xǐhuān kāfēi. - He likes coffee.)

Question: 他喜欢咖啡吗？(Tā xǐhuān kāfēi ma? - Does he like coffee?)

Next, let's tackle specific question words. The fantastic thing about Chinese question words like 什么 (shénme) (what), 哪里 (nǎlǐ) / 哪儿 (nǎr) (where), and 谁 (shéi) (who) is that they replace the part of the sentence you're asking about, without changing the rest of the sentence structure.
For Asking 'What' in Chinese (shénme):

Statement: 这是书。(Zhè shì shū. - This is a book.)

Question: 这是什么？(Zhè shì shénme? - What is this?) (Here, 什么 replaces book)

For Asking 'Where' in Chinese (哪里 / 哪儿):

Statement: 他去商店。(Tā qù shāngdiàn. - He goes to the store.)

Question: 他去哪里？(Tā qù nǎlǐ? - Where does he go?) (Or 他去哪儿？Tā qù nǎr?)

For Asking 'Who' in Chinese: Using 谁 (shéi):

Statement: 她是老师。(Tā shì lǎoshī. - She is a teacher.)

Question: 她是谁？(Tā shì shéi? - Who is she?) (Here, 谁 replaces teacher)

Finally, we have the clever Chinese Yes/No Questions: The 'Verb-Not-Verb' Trick (V-not-V). This pattern involves repeating the main verb or adjective, first in its positive form, then in its negative form (using 不 bù).
Example

你吃不吃？(Nǐ chī bù chī? - Do you eat?) (Literally: You eat not eat?)

Example

他是不是学生？(Tā shì bu shì xuéshēng? - Is he a student?) (Literally: He is not is student?)

Important: When using the V-not-V pattern, do not add 吗 (ma) at the end. It's one or the other!

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 你是学生吗不吗？(Nǐ shì xuéshēng ma bù ma?)
✓ Correct: 你是学生吗？(Nǐ shì xuéshēng ma?) OR 你是不是学生？(Nǐ shì bu shì xuéshēng?)
*Explanation:* Do not mix the 吗 (ma) particle with the V-not-V pattern. Use one or the other for yes/no questions.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 什么这是？(Shénme zhè shì?) (Trying to move the question word to the front like in English)
✓ Correct: 这是什么？(Zhè shì shénme?)
*Explanation:* In Chinese, question words like 什么 (shénme), 谁 (shéi), and 哪里 (nǎlǐ) typically stay in the position where the answer would be in a statement.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 你喜欢咖啡谁？(Nǐ xǐhuān kāfēi shéi?)
✓ Correct: 你喜欢什么？(Nǐ xǐhuān shénme?)
*Explanation:* Use the correct question word for the information you're seeking. 谁 (shéi) is for who, 什么 (shénme) is for what.

Real Conversations

A

A

你是美国人吗？(Nǐ shì Měiguórén ma? - Are you American?)
B

B

是的，我是美国人。你呢？(Shì de, wǒ shì Měiguórén. Nǐ ne? - Yes, I am American. How about you?)
A

A

你们去哪里？(Nǐmen qù nǎlǐ? - Where are you going?)
B

B

我们去学校。(Wǒmen qù xuéxiào. - We are going to school.)
A

A

他是谁？(Tā shì shéi? - Who is he?)
B

B

他是我的老师。(Tā shì wǒ de lǎoshī. - He is my teacher.)

Quick FAQ

Q

Can I use 吗 (ma) with other question words like 什么 (shénme)?

No, you should not use 吗 (ma) with other specific question words (like 什么, 谁, 哪里). 吗 (ma) is exclusively for yes/no questions.

Q

What's the difference between 哪里 (nǎlǐ) and 哪儿 (nǎr)?

They both mean where. 哪儿 (nǎr) is more commonly used in Northern China (especially Beijing), while 哪里 (nǎlǐ) is understood everywhere and often preferred in Southern China. Both are perfectly acceptable.

Q

Is the V-not-V pattern more formal than using 吗 (ma)?

Not necessarily. Both are common in everyday speech. The V-not-V pattern can sometimes sound a bit more direct or emphatic, but neither is inherently more formal. It often comes down to personal preference or regional habit.

Q

How do I ask why in Chinese at an A1 level?

While why (为什么 wèishénme) is a very useful question word, it's often introduced slightly later in A1 or early A2, as it can lead to more complex answers. For now, focus on the question words covered in this chapter.

Cultural Context

In Chinese conversations, directly asking questions using patterns like 吗 (ma), V-not-V, or specific question words like 什么 (shénme) and 谁 (shéi) is very common and considered polite for gathering information. You'll notice that the placement of question words in Chinese, staying in the answer's position, makes sentences feel less front-loaded than in English. The choice between 哪里 (nǎlǐ) and 哪儿 (nǎr) often reflects regional accents, with 哪儿 (nǎr) being characteristic of Northern Chinese speech, particularly in Beijing.

Exemples clés (8)

1

{你好|Nǐhǎo} **吗**？

Comment vas-tu ? (Littéralement : Toi bien ma ?)

Questions Oui/Non avec 吗 (ma)
2

{这|Zhè} {是|shì} {你的|nǐde} {手机|shǒujī} **吗**？

C'est ton téléphone ?

Questions Oui/Non avec 吗 (ma)
3

你{去不去|qùbùqù}？

Tu y vas ou pas ?

Questions Oui/Non en Chinois : L'astuce « Verbe-Non-Verbe » (V-not-V)
4

你{有没有|yǒuméiyǒu}{钱|qián}？

Tu as de l'argent ?

Questions Oui/Non en Chinois : L'astuce « Verbe-Non-Verbe » (V-not-V)
5

{他是|tā shì} {谁|shéi} ?

Qui est-il ?

Demander 'qui' en chinois : utiliser 谁 (shéi)
6

{谁|shéi} {想|xiǎng} {喝|hē} {珍珠奶茶|zhēnzhū nǎichá} ?

Qui veut boire un bubble tea ?

Demander 'qui' en chinois : utiliser 谁 (shéi)
7

你喝茶还是喝咖啡？

Do you drink tea or coffee?

Choice Questions with 还是 (háishi): Or in Questions
8

你是学生还是老师？

Are you a student or a teacher?

Choice Questions with 还是 (háishi): Or in Questions

Conseils et astuces (4)

💡

Vois ça comme un interrupteur

Imagine que 吗 est un interrupteur physique que tu actives à la fin d'une phrase pour passer en 'Mode Question' : «你累吗？»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Questions Oui/Non avec 吗 (ma)
⚠️

L'overdose de 'Ma'

N'utilise jamais 吗 si ta phrase contient déjà un mot interrogatif comme 什么 (quoi) ou 谁 (qui). C'est l'erreur classique ! Par exemple : «{你|nǐ} {想|xiǎng} {喝|hē} {什么|shénme}?»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Poser des questions oui/non avec 'ma' (吗)
🎯

Le petit tag 'Shi-bu-shi'

Tu peux ajouter «是不是|shìbùshì» à la fin de n'importe quelle phrase pour dire ', n'est-ce pas ?' : «你是法国人，是不是？»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Questions Oui/Non en Chinois : L'astuce « Verbe-Non-Verbe » (V-not-V)
💡

L'astuce de la réponse

Dis d'abord la réponse :
Je mange une pizza
. Remplace pizza par «什么» : «你吃什么？»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Demander « Quoi » en chinois (shénme)

Vocabulaire clé (7)

吗 (ma) question particle 什么 (shénme) what 哪里 (nǎlǐ) where 谁 (shéi) who 还是 (háishi) or (for questions) 学生 (xuésheng) student 老师 (lǎoshī) teacher

Real-World Preview

briefcase

Meeting a New Colleague

coffee

Ordering Drinks

Review Summary

  • Statement + 吗 (ma)?
  • Subject + Verb + 什么 (shénme)?
  • Verb + 不 (bù) + Verb?

Erreurs courantes

Never use 'ma' if the sentence already contains a question word like 'shéi' or 'shénme'. It's like saying 'Who are you yes/no?'.

Wrong: 你是谁吗？ (Nǐ shì shéi ma?)
Correct: 你是谁？ (Nǐ shì shéi?)

Do not move the question word to the front of the sentence like in English. Keep the SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) order.

Wrong: 什么是这个？ (Shénme shì zhè ge?)
Correct: 这是什么？ (Zhè shì shénme?)

The V-not-V pattern and 'ma' are two different ways to ask the same thing. You cannot use them together in one sentence.

Wrong: 你吃不吃吗？ (Nǐ chī bù chī ma?)
Correct: 你吃不吃？ (Nǐ chī bù chī?)

Règles dans ce chapitre (7)

1

Questions Oui/Non avec 吗 (ma)

A1
C'est l'un des premiers trucs que tu vas apprendre — et c'est super facile ! Ajoute simplement 吗 {ma|ma} à la fin de n'importe quelle phrase pour poser une question fermée. C'est ton bouton magique pour interroger avec les badges Oui ou Non.
{你好|Nǐhǎo} **吗**？
12 exemples
2

Poser des questions oui/non avec 'ma' (吗)

A1
Ajoute simplement «吗» (ma) à la fin d'une phrase normale pour la transformer en question. C'est comme un "point d'interrogation oral".
{你|nǐ} {吃|chī} {肉|ròu} {吗|ma}?
10 exemples
3

Questions Oui/Non en Chinois : L'astuce « Verbe-Non-Verbe » (V-not-V)

A1
Crée une question instantanée en doublant le verbe avec une négation au milieu, comme «是不是», «有没有» ou «去不去».
你{去不去|qùbùqù}？
10 exemples
4

Demander « Quoi » en chinois (shénme)

A1
En chinois, garde l'ordre de la phrase normale et remplace juste l'objet par «什么».
这是什么？
10 exemples
5

Demander 'qui' en chinois : utiliser 谁 (shéi)

A1
C'est l'une des premières choses que tu vas apprendre — et c'est super facile ! En chinois, le mot «谁» ne bouge pas : il remplace simplement le nom de la personne dans la phrase.
{他是|tā shì} {谁|shéi} ?
11 exemples
6

Demander 'Où' en chinois (哪里 / 哪儿)

A1
En chinois, les mots de question comme «nǎlǐ» restent sagement à leur place — on échange juste le lieu contre le mot magique «où».
你在哪里？
10 exemples
7

Choice Questions with 还是 (háishi): Or in Questions

A1
你喝茶还是喝咖啡？
3 exemples

Next Steps

You've unlocked a massive part of the language today. Being able to ask questions is the bridge to real conversation. Keep that curiosity alive!

Ask five 'ma' questions to a language partner.

Write down five things in your room and ask 'Zhè shì shénme?' for each.

Continue to: The Golden Rule of Word Order

Pratique rapide (10)

Complète la question pour demander 'Aimes-tu les chats ?'

{你|nǐ} {喜欢|xǐhuān} {猫|māo} ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {吗|ma}
Pour transformer l'affirmation 'Tu aimes les chats' en question oui/non, on ajoute simplement {吗|ma} à la fin.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Poser des questions oui/non avec 'ma' (吗)

Transforme cette affirmation en question.

你是美国人 (Nǐ shì Měiguórén) → 你是美国人___？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 吗 (ma)
Pour transformer une phrase en question Oui/Non, on ajoute simplement 吗 à la fin.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Questions Oui/Non avec 吗 (ma)

Quelle phrase est correcte pour 'Tu as un téléphone ?'

Choisis la bonne phrase :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 你有没有手机？
Le verbe 'you' doit utiliser 'mei' et on ne met jamais de 'ma' à la fin.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Questions Oui/Non en Chinois : L'astuce « Verbe-Non-Verbe » (V-not-V)

Quelle phrase demande correctement 'Est-elle américaine ?'

Choisis la bonne question :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {她|tā} {是|shì} {美国人|Měiguórén} {吗|ma}?
En chinois, l'ordre des mots reste Sujet-Verbe-Objet, et {吗|ma} se place tout à la fin.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Poser des questions oui/non avec 'ma' (吗)

Is this sentence correct?

他明天去还是后天去？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Yes, this is a perfect choice question.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Choice Questions with 还是 (háishi): Or in Questions

Choose the correct sentence.

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
还是 is for questions, and 吗 is not needed.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Choice Questions with 还是 (háishi): Or in Questions

Complète pour demander 'Tu viens ?'

你___？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 来不来
Pour une question V-not-V, on utilise 'Verbe + bu + Verbe'. On n'ajoute jamais 'ma'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Questions Oui/Non en Chinois : L'astuce « Verbe-Non-Verbe » (V-not-V)

Quelle phrase est une question correcte ?

Choisis la bonne traduction pour : "Est-il étudiant ?"

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他是学生吗？ (Tā shì xuésheng ma?)
L'ordre des mots reste le même : Sujet + Verbe + Objet. On ajoute juste 吗 tout à la fin.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Questions Oui/Non avec 吗 (ma)

Trouve l'erreur : '你喜欢不喜欢吃水果吗？'

Find and fix the mistake:

你喜欢不喜欢吃水果吗？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 你喜欢不喜欢吃水果？
L'erreur est d'avoir mis 'ma' à la fin d'une structure qui est déjà une question.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Questions Oui/Non en Chinois : L'astuce « Verbe-Non-Verbe » (V-not-V)

Corrige l'erreur d'ordre des mots dans cette phrase.

{谁想喝茶|shéi xiǎng hē chá} ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {谁想喝茶|shéi xiǎng hē chá} ?
Cette phrase est déjà correcte ! {谁|shéi} est le sujet, donc il reste devant.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Demander 'qui' en chinois : utiliser 谁 (shéi)

Score: /10

Questions fréquentes (6)

Ça n'a pas de traduction. C'est juste un signal sonore qui transforme ta phrase en question, comme un point d'interrogation oral : «对吗？»
Oui, tant que c'est une affirmation de fait et qu'il n'y a pas déjà un mot comme 'qui' ou 'quoi' : «你去吗？»
Non, tu peux aussi utiliser des mots comme 'qui' ou 'quoi', mais «{吗|ma}» est le plus simple pour les questions oui/non.
Non ! C'est le top : l'ordre reste exactement le même que dans une phrase normale : «{你|nǐ} {喝|hē} {水|shuǐ} {吗|ma}?»
À l'oral, les deux sont très utilisés. Le V-not-V est super pour les décisions rapides. «你吃不吃？»
Si le verbe fait plus de deux caractères, utilise plutôt 'ma'. Sinon, c'est trop dur à dire ! «你喜不喜欢？»
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