Correct Answer: C
Asking questions is a common part of our day to day communication. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to know some Chinese question words. With that in mind, let’s learn how to ask questions using “吗(ma)” and “呢(ne).”
“吗(ma)” is a question particle used at the end of yes-no type questions. A statement can be converted into a yes-no question by adding “吗(ma).”
The basic structure is: statement sentence + “吗(ma)”?
Tā shì niújīn dàxué de jiàoshòu.
他 是 牛津 大学 的 教授。 (Statement)
He is a professor at the University of Oxford.
Tā shì niújīn dàxué de jiàoshòu ma?
他 是 牛津 大学 的 教授 吗？ (Question)
Is he a professor at the University of Oxford?
Nǐ shì Zhōngguórén.
你 是 中国人。 (Statement)
You are Chinese.
Nǐ shì Zhōngguórén ma?
你 是 中国人 吗？(Question)
Are you Chinese?
“呢(ne)” is usually used in reciprocal questions and queries. It is commonly used to return a question after having been asked the same question, as in “And you?” or “How about you?”
Lǐ Dān : Nǐ wǎnshàng kàn qiúsài mɑ?
李 丹：你 晚上 看 球赛 吗？
Li Dan: Will you watch the football game tonight?
Wáng Hóng: Kàn, nǐ ne?
王 红： 看，你 呢？
Wang Hong: Yes, I will. How about you?
Lǐ Dān: Nǐhǎo ma?
李 丹：你好 吗？
Li Dan: How are you?
Wáng Hóng: Wǒ hěnhǎo, nǐ ne?
王 红： 我 很好， 你 呢？
Wang Hong: I’m fine, and you?
Lǐ Dān: Wǒ yě hěnhǎo.
李 丹：我 也 很好。
Li Dan: I’m fine, too.
Let’s go back to the test. “你去吗？(Nǐ qù ma?) Would you like to go?” is formed by combining a statement sentence “你去(nǐqù)” and “吗(ma).” “你呢？(Nǐ ne?)” is used to return the previously stated question to Zhang Hua. So the correct answer is C.
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