嗎 (ma) - A question particle used at the end of

嗎Tone 5

ma ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

嗎 · ma

A question particle used at the end of sentences to form yes-no questions in Mandarin Chinese.

A question particle used at the end of

Usage highlights

Question particleIs it okay?Really?Can I?Are you sure?Do you want?

Synonyms

  • 么— alternative simplified form of the same particle

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Are you going?(你去嗎?)
  • Is this yours?(這是你的嗎?)
  • Do you like Chinese food?(你喜歡中國菜嗎?)
  • Is it raining?(下雨了嗎?)

Collocations

  • Question particle(嗎)
  • Is it okay?(好嗎?)
  • Really?(真的嗎?)
  • Can I?(可以嗎?)
  • Are you sure?(確定嗎?)
  • Do you want?(要嗎?)

Idioms

  • No specific idioms containing 嗎 as it is primarily a grammatical particle

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used exclusively in Mandarin Chinese to form questions, not found in classical Chinese
  • Represents one of the most fundamental grammatical markers in modern Chinese
  • Indicates the influence of vernacular Chinese development away from classical forms

FAQ