A1 · 초급 챕터 17

Asking Questions

7 총 규칙
66 예문
5 분
이 챕터의 규칙 빠른 연습

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.

배울 내용

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.

챕터 가이드

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.

주요 예문 (8)

1

你{去不去|qùbùqù}？

너 갈 거야 안 갈 거야?

중국어 예/아니오 의문문: '동사-부-동사' 규칙 (V-not-V)
2

你{有没有|yǒuméiyǒu}{钱|qián}？

너 돈 있어 없어?

중국어 예/아니오 의문문: '동사-부-동사' 규칙 (V-not-V)
3

这是什么？

이게 뭐예요?

중국어로 '무엇' (shénme) 묻는 법
4

你喜欢吃什么？

뭐 드시는 거 좋아하세요?

중국어로 '무엇' (shénme) 묻는 법
5

你在哪里？

너 어디야?

중국어로 '어디' 묻기 (哪里 / 哪儿)
6

厕所在哪儿？

화장실이 어디예요?

중국어로 '어디' 묻기 (哪里 / 哪儿)
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

팁과 요령 (4)

💡

질문 스위치라고 생각하세요

문장 끝에 딸깍! 하고 켜는 '질문 모드' 스위치라고 상상해보세요. «你好吗？»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 吗 (ma)를 사용한 예/아니오 질문
⚠️

吗 중독 주의!

문장에 이미 «{什么|shénme}»(무엇)이나 «{谁|shéi}»(누구) 같은 의문사가 있다면 «{吗|ma}»는 쓰지 마세요. «{谁|shéi} {是|shì} {老师|lǎoshī}?»가 정답이에요!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'ma' (吗)를 사용한 예/아니오 질문하기
🎯

'是不是' 태그

어떤 문장 뒤에 '{是不是|shìbùshì}'를 붙여서 질문으로 만들 수 있어요. 영어의 ', right?'와 같아요: «你喜欢吃辣的，{是不是|shìbùshì}？»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 중국어 예/아니오 의문문: '동사-부-동사' 규칙 (V-not-V)
💡

답변 먼저 생각하기!

什麽를 어디에 넣어야 할지 모르겠다면? 먼저 평서문으로 답을 말해보세요. '나는 피자를 먹는다.' 여기서 '피자'만 '什麽'로 바꾸면 질문 완성! '나는 什麽를 먹는다?'
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 중국어로 '무엇' (shénme) 묻는 법

핵심 어휘 (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?

자주 하는 실수

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

이 챕터의 규칙 (7)

1

吗 (ma)를 사용한 예/아니오 질문

A1
평서문 끝에 «吗» {ma|ma} 하나만 붙이면 바로 '네/아니오' 질문이 완성돼요!
{你好|Nǐhǎo} **吗**？
12 예문
2

'ma' (吗)를 사용한 예/아니오 질문하기

A1
평서문 끝에 «{吗|ma}» 하나만 톡! 붙이면 질문이 완성돼요. 단어 순서를 바꿀 필요가 없는 «마법의 단어»랍니다.
{你|nǐ} {吃|chī} {肉|ròu} {吗|ma}?
10 예문
3

중국어 예/아니오 의문문: '동사-부-동사' 규칙 (V-not-V)

A1
동사를 두 번 말하고 그 사이에 부정을 넣어 바로 질문을 만들 수 있어요. 하지만 '吗'는 절대 붙이지 마세요!
你{去不去|qùbùqù}？
10 예문
4

중국어로 '무엇' (shénme) 묻는 법

A1
중국어에서는 평서문 어순을 그대로 두고, 궁금한 목적어만 '무엇(什麽)'으로 바꾸면 돼요.
这是什么？
10 예문
5

중국어로 '누구' 묻기: 谁 (shéi) 사용법

A1
중국어 의문사 «谁»는 위치를 바꾸지 않아요! 대답이 들어갈 자리에 «이름 대신» 쏙 넣어주기만 하면 끝나요.
{他是|tā shì} {谁|shéi} ?
11 예문
6

중국어로 '어디' 묻기 (哪里 / 哪儿)

A1
중국어 의문문은 순서가 그대로예요! 장소 자리에 «哪里»나 «哪儿»만 넣으면 질문 완성! 겸손할 땐 «哪里哪里»를 잊지 마세요.
你在哪里？
10 예문
7

Choice Questions with 还是 (háishi): Or in Questions

A1
你喝茶还是喝咖啡？
3 예문

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

빠른 연습 (10)

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

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

'그는 누구니?'라는 문장에서 틀린 부분을 찾아 고쳐보세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

{他|tā} {是谁|shìshéi} {吗|ma}?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {他|tā} {是谁|shìshéi}?
{谁|shéi}(누구)와 같은 의문사가 이미 있다면 {吗|ma}는 함께 쓸 수 없습니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'ma' (吗)를 사용한 예/아니오 질문하기

'너 올 거야?'라고 묻기 위해 빈칸을 채우세요.

你___？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 来不来
V-not-V 질문을 만들려면 '동사 + 不 + 동사'를 사용해요. 이 패턴에는 '吗'를 절대 붙이지 않아요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 중국어 예/아니오 의문문: '동사-부-동사' 규칙 (V-not-V)

'선생님은 어디 계세요?'라는 질문을 완성해 보세요.

{老师在___？|lǎoshī zài ___?}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 哪里
'어디'를 물어볼 때는 «哪里»를 써야 해요. «什么»는 '무엇', «谁»는 '누구'라는 뜻이라 어울리지 않아요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 중국어로 '어디' 묻기 (哪里 / 哪儿)

이 문장의 오류를 수정하세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

{什么你看|Shénme nǐ kàn}? (무엇을 보니?)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {你看什么|Nǐ kàn shénme}?
중국어에서는 '무엇'이 답변이 들어갈 자리에 그대로 와요. '너는 [영화를] 본다' → '너는 [무엇을] 본다?'

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 중국어로 '무엇' (shénme) 묻는 법

중국어 어순에 맞는 올바른 문장을 고르세요.

'어디 가니?'를 올바르게 말한 것은?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 你去哪里？
중국어 의문사는 대답이 들어갈 자리에 그대로 둡니다. 주어(nǐ) + 동사(qù) + 의문사(nǎlǐ) 순서가 맞아요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 중국어로 '어디' 묻기 (哪里 / 哪儿)

'책이 어디 있나요?'라는 문장에서 틀린 부분을 찾으세요.

{哪里是书？|nǎlǐ shì shū?}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 书在哪里？
문장을 «哪里»로 시작할 수 없어요. 물건(shū)이 먼저 오고 그 뒤에 «在哪里»를 붙여야 합니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 중국어로 '어디' 묻기 (哪里 / 哪儿)

'그녀는 미국인인가요?'라는 올바른 문장을 고르세요.

가장 자연스러운 질문은?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {她|tā} { production |shì} {美国人|Měiguórén} {吗|ma}?
중국어는 주어-동사-목적어 순서를 유지하고 {吗|ma}를 맨 마지막에 둡니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'ma' (吗)를 사용한 예/아니오 질문하기

'고양이를 좋아하니?'라는 질문을 완성해 보세요.

{你|nǐ} {喜欢|xǐhuān} {猫|māo} ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {吗|ma}
평서문 뒤에 {吗|ma}를 붙이면 예/아니오를 묻는 질문이 됩니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'ma' (吗)를 사용한 예/아니오 질문하기

Score: /10

자주 묻는 질문 (6)

따로 번역되는 뜻은 없어요. 들리는 물음표처럼 문장을 질문으로 바꿔주는 역할만 해요. «你好吗？»
질문 단어가 없는 평서문이라면 거의 모든 사실 문장을 질문으로 바꿀 수 있어요. «他是老师吗？»
아니요, «{谁|shéi}»(누구)나 «{什么|shénme}»(무엇) 같은 단어도 쓰지만, 예/아니오로 답하는 질문엔 «{吗|ma}»가 가장 쉬워요.
아니요! 중국어의 가장 좋은 점이죠. «{你|nǐ} {喝|hē} {茶|chá}» 순서 그대로 두고 끝에만 붙이세요.
구어체 중국어에서는 둘 다 흔하게 쓰여요. V-not-V는 빠르고 캐주얼한 결정을 물을 때 선호되고, '吗'는 조금 더 격식 있는 느낌이에요. 예를 들어, «你{去不去|qùbùqù}？»와 «你{去吗|qù ma}？»는 비슷하지만 뉘앙스가 살짝 달라요.
동사가 두 글자보다 길면 '吗'를 쓰는 것이 더 좋아요. 'V1V2V3-bu-V1V2V3'처럼 말하면 어색하게 들릴 수 있어요. 예를 들어, «你{学习不学习|xuéxíbùxuéxí}汉语？» 보다는 «你{学习汉语吗|xuéxí Hànyǔ ma}？»가 더 자연스러워요.
이전 챕터
Describing Your World
다음 챕터
The Golden Rule of Word Order
로드맵으로 돌아가기