麼 (me) - What & how
麼 · me
What;
how;
why;
interrogative particle used in questions;
suffix indicating manner or degree.
Whathowwhy
Usage highlights
WhatHowWhyHow aboutWhat matterSo what
Usage & contexts
Examples
- What is this?(這是什麼?)
- How are you?(你好嗎?)
- Why are you late?(你為什麼遲到?)
- How can this be?(怎麼會這樣?)
- What's the matter?(怎麼了?)
Collocations
- What(什麼)
- How(怎麼)
- Why(為什麼)
- How about(怎麼樣)
- What matter(麼事)
- So what(那又怎麼樣)
Idioms
- To make a fuss about nothing(小題大做麼)
- What can be done about it?(奈何麼)
- What does it matter?(有什麼關係麼)
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally derived from the character 麼/麼 in classical Chinese as an interrogative particle.
- Commonly used in colloquial Mandarin to form questions and express curiosity or uncertainty.
- In modern usage, often simplified to 么 in mainland China while retaining traditional form 麼 in Taiwan and Hong Kong.