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吗 (ma): yes/no questions

Turn a statement into a yes/no question by adding 吗 at the end: 你是老师吗？

Word order stays exactly the same as the statement. Only 吗 is added at the end.

Answer by repeating the verb: 你忙吗？ 忙 / 不忙. Chinese has no single word for "yes".

Do not use 吗 together with a question word like 什么 or 谁.

Pattern: Statement + 吗？

Practice this lesson

Updated October 21, 2026

Examples

• 你喝茶吗？ Nǐ hē chá ma?
  Do you drink tea?
• 他是你哥哥吗？ Tā shì nǐ gēge ma?
  Is he your older brother?

In real sentences

• 是吗？
  Is that so?
  Tatoeba: cntrational
• 痛吗？
  Does that hurt?
  Tatoeba: j0rd4nkzf
• 有吗？
  Is that so?
  Tatoeba: grindeldore
• 对吗？
  Right?
  Tatoeba: Elaineeeeee
• 严重吗？
  Is it serious?
  Tatoeba: fucongcong
• 修面吗？
  Did you shave?
  Tatoeba: sysko

Before this lesson

This unlocks after: HSK 1 Core words 2, The four tones.

← Question words: 什么, 谁, 哪儿, 几, 怎么吧 (ba): suggestions and checking →