A1 · 初級 チャプター 17

Asking Questions

7 トータルルール
66 例文
5 分
このチャプターのルール クイック練習

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.

学べること

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.

チャプターガイド

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.

重要な例文 (8)

1

{你好|Nǐhǎo} **吗**？

元気ですか？

吗 (ma) を使った「はい/いいえ」疑問文
2

{这|Zhè} {是|shì} {あなたの|nǐde} {手机|shǒujī} **吗**？

これはあなたのスマホですか？

吗 (ma) を使った「はい/いいえ」疑問文
3

{你|nǐ} {吃|chī} {肉|ròu} {吗|ma}?

お肉は食べますか？

「吗 (ma)」を使ったはい・いいえの質問
4

{他|tā} {是|shì} {你|nǐ} {男朋友|nánpéngyou} {吗|ma}?

彼はあなたの彼氏ですか？

「吗 (ma)」を使ったはい・いいえの質問
5

{那个|nàge} {男人|nánrén} {是谁|shì shéi} ?

あの男の人は誰ですか？

中国語で「誰」と聞く：谁 (shéi) の使い方
6

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

誰がタピオカミルクティーを飲みたいですか？

中国語で「誰」と聞く：谁 (shéi) の使い方
7

你在哪里？

どこにいますか？

中国語で「どこ」と聞く方法 (哪里 / 哪儿)
8

厕所在哪儿？

トイレはどこですか？

中国語で「どこ」と聞く方法 (哪里 / 哪儿)

ヒントとコツ (4)

💡

質問モードのスイッチ

文の最後に置く物理的なスイッチだと思ってください。押すと質問になります。 «你好吗？»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 吗 (ma) を使った「はい/いいえ」疑問文
⚠️

「吗」の使いすぎに注意！

文の中に «什么» (何) や «谁» (誰) などの疑問詞があるときは、 «吗» は絶対に使わないでね。 «你是谁？» (あなたは誰？) で完璧だよ。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 「吗 (ma)」を使ったはい・いいえの質問
🎯

便利な「是不是」タグ

文の最後に «是不是» を付けるだけで、「〜でしょ？」という確認の質問になります。 «你是学生，是不是？»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 中国語のはい・いいえ疑問文：「動詞-不-動詞」のコツ (V-not-V)
💡

「答え」を想像するテクニック

どこに «什么» を置くか迷ったら、まずは普通の文を作ってみましょう。「私はピザを食べる」の「ピザ」を «什么» に入れ替えるだけで «我吃什么？»（私は何を食べる？）という質問の完成です。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 中国語で「何」と聞く方法 (shénme)

重要な語彙 (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?

よくある間違い

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?)
正解: 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?)
正解: 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?)
正解: 你吃不吃？ (Nǐ chī bù chī?)

このチャプターのルール (7)

1

吗 (ma) を使った「はい/いいえ」疑問文

A1
普通の文の最後に «吗» をつけるだけで、魔法のように「はい／いいえ」で答える質問に変わります！
{你好|Nǐhǎo} **吗**？
12 例文
2

「吗 (ma)」を使ったはい・いいえの質問

A1
文の最後に «吗» をつけるだけで、どんな文も「はい/いいえ」で答える質問に変身しちゃうよ！語順は «そのまま» で、答えは «はい/いいえ» の2択だよ。
{你|nǐ} {吃|chī} {肉|ròu} {吗|ma}?
10 例文
3

中国語のはい・いいえ疑問文：「動詞-不-動詞」のコツ (V-not-V)

A1
動詞を「肯定＋否定＋肯定」でサンドイッチして質問を作ります。 «有没有» や «是不是» のように、最後に «吗» は付けないのがポイント！
你{去不去|qùbùqù}？
10 例文
4

中国語で「何」と聞く方法 (shénme)

A1
中国語の疑問文は語順を変えなくてOK！答えが入る場所に «什么» (shénme) を置くだけで「何？」という質問になります。
这是什么？
10 例文
5

中国語で「誰」と聞く：谁 (shéi) の使い方

A1
中国語の疑問詞 «谁» は文の中で場所を変えません。名前の部分を «谁» に入れ替えるだけです。
{他是|tā shì} {谁|shéi} ?
11 例文
6

中国語で「どこ」と聞く方法 (哪里 / 哪儿)

A1
中国語の「どこ」は語順を変えずに、場所の名詞を «哪里» や «哪儿» に入れ替えるだけで完成します！
你在哪里？
10 例文
7

Choice Questions with 还是 (háishi): Or in Questions

A1
你喝茶还是喝咖啡？
3 例文

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

クイック練習 (10)

この文の間違いを見つけてください： '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？
V-not-V形式を使っている場合、文末の «吗» は不要なので削除します。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 中国語のはい・いいえ疑問文：「動詞-不-動詞」のコツ (V-not-V)

「これは誰の本ですか？」という正しい文章を選んでください。

正しい選択肢を選んでください：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {这是谁的书|zhè shì shéi de shū} ?
「誰の」を表すには {谁|shéi} の後に {的|de} を入れる必要があります。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 中国語で「誰」と聞く：谁 (shéi) の使い方

「彼は誰？」という文を完成させるために、空欄を埋めてください。

{他|tā} {是|shì} ___ ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 谁
「誰」と尋ねる時は、文の最後に {谁|shéi} を置きます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 中国語で「誰」と聞く：谁 (shéi) の使い方

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

Fill in the blank with 还是 or 或者.

我想要咖啡___茶。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
It's a statement, so use 或者.

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

「携帯持ってる？」と聞くのに正しい文はどれ？

正しい文を選んでください：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 你有没有手机？
動詞 «有» の場合は必ず «没» を使い、文末に «吗» は付けないのが正解です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 中国語のはい・いいえ疑問文：「動詞-不-動詞」のコツ (V-not-V)

「彼女はアメリカ人ですか？」という正しい文はどれかな？

正しい質問を選んでね：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {她|tā} {是|shì} {美国人|Měiguórén} {吗|ma}?
中国語の語順は変わらないから、 «吗» は必ず文の一番最後に置くんだよ。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 「吗 (ma)」を使ったはい・いいえの質問

「彼は誰ですか？」という文の間違いを見つけてね。

Find and fix the mistake:

{他|tā} {是谁|shìshéi} {吗|ma}?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {他|tā} {是谁|shìshéi}?
«谁» (誰) のような疑問詞があるときは、 «吗» を使っちゃダメなんだ。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 「吗 (ma)」を使ったはい・いいえの質問

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

この文の語順の間違いを直してください。

Find and fix the mistake:

{谁想喝茶|shéi xiǎng hē chá} ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {谁想喝茶|shéi xiǎng hē chá} ?
この文は実は正しいです！ {谁|shéi} が主語なので、文頭に置きます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 中国語で「誰」と聞く：谁 (shéi) の使い方

Score: /10

よくある質問 (6)

それ自体に意味はありません。耳で聞こえる「？」マークのような役割です。 «你好吗？»
疑問詞（誰、何など）が入っていない普通の文なら、ほとんど何にでも使えます。 «他是老师吗？»
いいえ。「はい/いいえ」で答える質問のときだけだよ。 «你是谁？» (あなたは誰？) のような疑問詞がある文には使いません。
いいえ！そこが中国語のいいところ。 «你喝茶» (あなたはお茶を飲む) の最後に «吗» を足すだけだよ。
話し言葉ではどちらも同じくらい使われます。V-not-Vはパッと決めたい時、 «吗» は少し丁寧な響きになります。
3文字以上の長い動詞には «吗» を使うのが無難です。繰り返すと噛んでしまいそうで不自然になります。
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