Questions Using Intonation
用疑问语调表示疑问
Form questions by simply raising your intonation at the end of a statement, without any question words or particles
In spoken Chinese, you can turn any statement into a question simply by raising the intonation at the end. No 吗, no question word, no A-not-A structure — just the rising pitch signals a question.
This is very colloquial and informal. It often conveys surprise, confirmation-seeking, or disbelief. In writing, the question mark alone indicates the rising tone.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Questions Using Intonation (用疑问语调表示疑问)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 用疑问语调表示疑问 pattern
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Understanding 用疑问语调表示疑问
Chinese has several ways to form questions: 吗 questions, A-not-A questions, question-word questions, and tag questions. But the simplest method of all is pure intonation — you take a regular statement and raise your pitch at the end, and it becomes a question. For example, 今天是星期六。(Today is Saturday.) becomes 今天是星期六？(Today is Saturday?) with rising intonation. No grammar changes at all! This type of question is extremely common in casual spoken Chinese. It often carries an emotional undertone — surprise (他已经走了？— He already left?!), seeking confirmation (你打算去旅行？— You're planning to travel?), or mild disbelief (你不喜欢吃饺子？— You don't like dumplings?). In texting and casual writing, these questions appear frequently and feel very natural. Understanding this pattern is essential for real-world Chinese comprehension.
Key Points
- Any statement can become a question with rising intonation — no grammar change needed.
- Often expresses surprise: 他已经走了？(He already left?!)
- Often seeks confirmation: 你是新来的？(You're the new person?)
- Often shows disbelief: 你不知道？(You don't know?!)
- Very common in texting and casual conversation.
- In formal situations, prefer 吗 or A-not-A questions instead.
Intonation questions are the default in casual Chinese conversations, especially among young people. In WeChat messages, you will see statements followed by question marks constantly. This is considered perfectly natural and not rude.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
今天是星期六？
Today is Saturday? (Is it really?)
Rising intonation turns statement into question
你打算去旅行？
You're planning to travel?
他已经走了？
He already left?
Expresses surprise
你不喜欢吃饺子？
You don't like eating dumplings?
这个很贵？
This is expensive?
你是老师？
You're a teacher?
明天不上班？
No work tomorrow?
Common Mistakes
Intonation questions are for yes/no confirmation. If you need specific information (where, when, who), you still need question words like 哪儿, 什么, 谁.
Intonation questions are informal and colloquial. In formal contexts (business emails, official documents), use 吗 or proper question structures.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
In spoken Chinese, raise your pitch at the end of the sentence — the higher the pitch, the more surprised you sound.
This is the easiest question form to master — just say a statement and go up in pitch!
Very useful for quick confirmations: 对？(Right?), 好？(Okay?), 是？(Really?)
When texting in Chinese, you can use this form freely — it feels natural and casual.
Homework
Practice converting six statements into intonation questions. Read them aloud with rising pitch. Then write a short dialogue (6-8 lines) between two friends where at least three intonation questions are used naturally.