ma?

吗 ma – Question particle to indicate a question.

Above is the way You can read it in almost any Chinese learning textbook. Yet many newbie learners of Chinese face the same problem. A speaker is saying something, You are slowly deciphering it and then at the end of the sentence the speaker says “ma” and You have to completely rework Your sentence.

Thats not necessary. After reading many learning books and consulting several teachers on this topic I came up with my own solution of “ma”. This is my very own donkey bridge, I hope it will be named after me.

吗 ma – …., or not?

Works like a charm, 吗?

Translating this 吗 particle with “, or not” turns every sentence into a question in no time and it is a total no brainer. No more reworking long sentences with annoying consequences.

If You like this learning hint, You might want to check out my list of 16 learn Chinese methods as well.