How to Ask Yes/No Questions in Mandarin

Asking yes or no questions in Mandarin is pretty easy! Here are some simple rules to help you:

1. Basic Sentence Structure:

   • Mandarin sentences usually follow this order: Subject-Verb-Object (SVO).
   • For example: 你 (nǐ) 是 (shì) 学生 (xuéshēng)?
   • This means "You are a student?"

2. Making Questions with 吗 (ma):

   • Just add 吗 at the end of a sentence to make it a question.
   • For example: 你喜欢这个吗? (nǐ xǐhuān zhège ma?) means "Do you like this?"

3. Using Adjectives:

   • Adjectives (words that describe) usually come after the verb.
   • For example: 他跳得快 (tā tiàode kuài) means "He jumps fast."

4. Counting Nouns with Measure Words (量词 - liàngcí):

   • When counting things, you need to use measure words.
   • For example: 三个苹果 (sān ge píngguǒ) means "Three apples."

5. Saying No:

   • Use 不 (bù) to say no to actions that are happening now.
   • Use 没 (méi) for actions that are already finished.
   • For example: 我不要 (wǒ bù yào) means "I don’t want it."
   • And 她没吃 (tā méi chī) means "She didn’t eat."

6. Showing Ownership with 的 (de):

   • Use 的 to show that something belongs to someone.
   • For example: 这是我的书 (zhè shì wǒ de shū) means "This is my book."

7. Using the Word for "And" (和 - hé):

   • Use 和 to connect words, which means "and."
   • For example: 我喜欢苹果和香蕉 (wǒ xǐhuān píngguǒ hé xiāngjiāo) means "I like apples and bananas."

8. Talking About Past Actions with 了 (le):

   • Add 了 to show that an action has been completed.
   • For example: 他去了 (tā qù le) means "He went."

9. Making Polite Requests with 请 (qǐng):

   • Use 请 when you want to politely ask for something.
   • For example: 请给我水 (qǐng gěi wǒ shuǐ) means "Please give me water."

By following these easy rules, you'll be able to ask yes or no questions and have simple conversations in Mandarin!