Four Types of Questions
疑问句类型
Recognize and produce the 4 key question types
Chinese has four elegant ways to ask questions. Each type serves a different purpose, and none of them require changing word order like English does!
The biggest difference from English: Chinese questions keep the same word order as statements. Just add the question marker!
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Four Types of Questions (疑问句类型)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 疑问句类型 pattern
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Understanding 疑问句类型
Forget about flipping "you are" to "are you?" Chinese questions are wonderfully simple — the word order stays the same! You have four tools in your question toolkit: (1) Add 吗 for yes/no questions, (2) Use question words like 谁, 什么, 哪 for specific info, (3) Use 还是 for "or" choices, and (4) Use the A-not-A pattern for direct yes/no alternatives. Let's master all four! The beauty of Chinese questions is that the sentence structure doesn't change — you just swap in the question element where the answer would go. So if the answer is 我叫小明, the question is 你叫什么名字？ Same structure, just the unknown part replaced by a question word.
Key Points
- 吗-questions (yes/no): 你是学生吗？(Nǐ shì xuéshēng ma?) — Are you a student?
- Wh-questions (specific info): 你叫什么名字？(Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) — What's your name?
- 还是-questions (choice): 你喝茶还是咖啡？(Nǐ hē chá háishi kāfēi?) — Do you drink tea or coffee?
- A-not-A questions (direct alternative): 你去不去？(Nǐ qù bù qù?) — Are you going or not?
- Word order stays the same as declarative sentences — just add the question element!
- Never mix question types! Using 吗 with a question word or A-not-A pattern is a common mistake.
- The particle 呢 can ask "What about...?" as a follow-up: 我很好，你呢？(I'm fine, and you?)
- Tag questions use 好吗 or 对吗 at the end: 我们走吧，好吗？(Let's go, OK?)
The most common greeting in Chinese is actually a question: 你吃了吗？(Have you eaten?) It's not really about food — it's like saying "How are you?" Just answer 吃了！(Yes!) and move on.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
你是老师吗？
Are you a teacher?
吗-question: add 吗 at the end
你在哪儿工作？
Where do you work?
Wh-question with 哪儿 (where)
谁是你的老师？
Who is your teacher?
Wh-question with 谁 (who)
你喝茶还是咖啡？
Do you drink tea or coffee?
还是-question: offering two choices
你去不去？
Are you going (or not)?
A-not-A question pattern
你什么时候来？
When are you coming?
Wh-question with 什么时候 (when)
这个多少钱？
How much is this?
Wh-question — shopping essential
你想吃中餐还是西餐？
Do you want Chinese food or Western food?
还是-question — deciding on a restaurant
医生，我的身体怎么样？
Doctor, how is my health?
Wh-question with 怎么样 — at the doctor
你觉得好不好？
Do you think it's good or not?
A-not-A pattern with adjective — asking a friend
Common Mistakes
Don't mix question types! If you already have a question word (哪儿), don't add 吗. One question marker per sentence.
In questions, use 还是 (not 或者) for "or." 或者 is for statements: 茶或者咖啡都可以 (Tea or coffee is fine).
The A-not-A pattern (是不是) is already a question. Adding 吗 is redundant. Pick one!
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Never mix question types in the same sentence — pick one: 吗, question word, 还是, or A-not-A.
The question word sits exactly where the answer would go: 你去哪儿？→ 我去北京。Same position!
When unsure which type to use: need yes/no? Use 吗. Need details? Use a question word. Offering choices? Use 还是.
The A-not-A pattern sounds more direct and natural than 吗 in many everyday situations. Compare: 你去不去？(Going or not?) vs. 你去吗？(Are you going?). The first feels snappier.
Master these three shopping questions and you're set: 这个多少钱？(How much?), 有没有大一点的？(Do you have a bigger one?), 可以便宜一点吗？(Can you make it cheaper?).
Homework
Write two questions of each type (8 total). Interview a friend or family member using all four types. Record their answers next to each question.