Learn · Lesson 11
Questions with 吗 and question words
Turn statements into yes/no questions and ask who/what/where/how many.
Goals
- Form yes/no questions with 吗
- Use question words 谁/什么/哪儿/几/多少 without inversion
- Reply briefly with 是/不是 or full statements
- Use 呢 for follow-up questions
- Keep statement word order inside questions
吗 yes/no questions
Add 吗 at the end of a statement. Do not invert subject and verb.
你忙吗？你是学生吗？
吗 is neutral tone—keep it light.
Are you busy?
Is he a teacher?
Do you have time?
Question words
谁 who, 什么 what, 哪儿 where, 几/多少 how many/how much.
Put the question word in the same slot as the answer.
No English-style do-support is needed.
Who are you?
What is this?
Where is the restroom?
几 vs 多少
几 often expects a smaller number and commonly pairs with measure words: 几点？几个？
多少 is broader for amounts and prices: 多少钱？
Learn them with real shopping and time questions.
What time?
How many?
How much money?
呢 and short replies
你呢？ means “and you?” after a statement.
Yes/no replies can be short: 是 / 不是 / 有 / 没有.
Full-sentence replies help practice word order.
I’m fine. And you?
Yes.
No / don’t have.
Polite questions
Start with 请问 for strangers.
请再说一次 / 请慢一点 help when you miss the answer.
Practice in the courtesy phrase pack.
Excuse me, where is the subway station?
Please say it again.
Please slow down a little.
Takeaways
- 吗 attaches to statement order.
- Question words fill the answer’s slot.
- 几 and 多少 cover different counting needs.
- 请问 makes information questions more polite.
Quick check
1. To ask a yes/no question, Mandarin usually…
2. 哪儿 asks about…
3. 多少钱？ means…