Pattern
吗 and question words
Yes/no with 吗; content questions keep normal order.
Statement + 吗？ | … QuestionWord … ?
No inversion
Put 谁/什么/哪儿 in the same slot as the answer.
Add 吗 for yes/no without changing order.
吗 is neutral tone.
Question word kit
谁 who, 什么 what, 哪儿 where, 哪 which, 几/多少 how many/much, 怎么 how.
Learn each with one model sentence.
Do not add extra English helper verbs.
几 vs 多少
几点？几个？ often use 几.
多少钱？ uses 多少.
Both stay in the answer’s slot.
Polite wrappers
请问 before questions to strangers.
请再说一次 if you miss the reply.
呢 for follow-ups: 你呢？
Examples
你忙吗？
Nǐ máng ma?
Are you busy?
这是什么？
Zhè shì shénme?
What is this?
谁是老师？
Shéi shì lǎoshī?
Who is the teacher?
厕所在哪儿？
Cèsuǒ zài nǎr?
Where is the restroom?
多少钱？
Duōshao qián?
How much is it?
几点？
Jǐ diǎn?
What time?
你呢？
Nǐ ne?
And you?
请问，这是车站吗？
Qǐngwèn, zhè shì chēzhàn ma?
Excuse me, is this the station?
Tips
- Keep statement word order.
- 吗 is light/neutral.
- Question words replace the unknown information.
- Use 请问 for polite asks.
Cloze drills
1. Are you a student?
Full: 你是学生吗？
吗
2. What is this?
Full: 这是什么？
什么
3. Where is the hotel?
Full: 酒店在哪儿？
哪儿
4. How much is it?
Full: 多少钱？
多少