Chinese · Question Words
吗
ma
Question particle
Beginnerparticle
Definition
Added to the end of a sentence to make it a yes-no question.
Example
你是中国人吗?
Are you Chinese?
Etymology
'吗' (ma) is a question particle that originated from ancient Chinese grammar used to denote yes/no questions. Its simplicity reflects the linguistic evolution towards concise expression.
How & Where It’s Used
'吗' (ma) is used primarily in spoken language to form yes/no questions, appearing in informal conversations and widely recognized across different Chinese dialects.