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Answer page

Learn the Chinese Characters-“吗,” “吧,” “呢,” “啦”

The correct answer to this quiz is “C.”

Analysis:

Zhang Li: I've been going out with Jack for almost five years.
     Tracy: Then why haven't you gotten married yet?

All of these Chinese characters can be used as modal particles at the end of a sentence. However, they each indicate different modalities of expression. “吗” is attached to a declarative sentence to indicate a general question whose answer should be “yes” or “no.”

For example:

Nǐ gōngzuò zuò wán le ma?
你    工作      做    完  了  吗?    
Have you finished your work?

When added to the end of a sentence, “吧” makes a sentence imperative and indicates a suggestion or light command.

For example:

Nǐ háishì duō yùndòng xià ba.
你  还是   多     运动      下  吧。    
You should get more exercise. (Suggestion)

"呢” is usually added to a question that offers choices or to a rhetorical question to heighten the interrogative tone.

For example:

Nǐ wèishénme bù duō yùndòng xià ne?
你    为什么      不  多    运动      下  呢?    
Why don’t you get more exercise?

When used at the end of a sentence, “啦” indicates delight, admiration, surprise or anger.

Wŏmen shènglì la!
  我们      胜利   啦!    
We've succeeded!