Languages 1001

Let’s investigate how we ask questions in Mandarin Chinese. If you’re someone who always has questions (don’t worry, we love you!), then you’re going to love this grammar lesson.

Grab your detective hat—here are the **FOUR main types of question sentences in Chinese**:

1. Yes/No Questions (是非问句 / shì-fēi wènjù): Just add 吗 (ma) to the end of a statement!
   • 他是老师。He is a teacher.
   • 他是老师吗？Is he a teacher?
   • 那儿现在热吗？Is it hot there now?
   Tip: If in doubt, slap a 吗 on it!


2. Special (Wh-) Questions (特指问句 / tèzhǐ wènjù): Use question words like 谁 (who), 什么 (what), 哪儿 (where), 什么时候 (when), etc.
   • 谁跟你一起去书店？Who is going to the bookstore with you?
   • 你想买什么？What do you want to buy?
   Notice: No need to change word order—just pop the question word where the answer goes!


3. Choice (A or B) Questions (选择问句 / xuǎnzé wènjù): Ask “A 还是 B?” (A háishì B?)—like Chinese multiple choice!
   • 你爸爸是老师还是医生？Is your dad a teacher or a doctor?
   • 你们坐火车去还是坐飞机去？Are you going by train or plane?
   Pro tip: Use “还是” for questions, but “或者” for answers!


4. Positive-Negative (反正问句 / zhèng-fǎn wènjù): Like flipping a coin, you ask both yes and no. Structure: verb (+ 不 + verb) or verb (+ 没 + verb) or adjective + 不 + adjective.
   • 你喝不喝牛奶？Do you drink milk (or not)?
   • 你吃没吃早饭？Did you eat breakfast or not?
   • 今天冷不冷？Is it cold today?
   • 这个房间干净不干净？Is this room clean or not?
   If you like symmetry, you’ll love these!

1. Yes/No Question:
小彤和浩然在学校。
(Turn this into a yes/no question: Are Xiaotong and Haoran at school?)
小彤和浩然在学校？

2. Special (Wh-) Question:
Grandma Xiulan wants to know: Where is Lili?
莉莉？

3. Choice Question:
Jianguo asks Haoran: Do you want to eat rice or noodles?
你想吃米饭面条？

4. Positive-Negative Question:
Lili checks if Jianguo finished reports: Have you written the reports or not?
你写报告？

5. Bonus! (Adjective positive-negative):
Is the weather hot today?
今天天气热？

Quick Recap: In Chinese, question words go in the same spot as the answer. To turn statements into questions, you often just use 吗, question words, or some good old verbal gymnastics (verb不verb!). Practice these, and you’ll never be lost for words in a conversation.
Remember: There are no “stupid” questions—but there sure are some funny ones! Keep asking—and answering! 加油！