Ask a useful question
Use 吗 for yes/no questions and 什么 for missing information.
Distinguish a yes/no question from a question asking for information.
Hear the lesson phrases
Google voice when available; device voice as a fallback.
Read the audio transcript
你喝茶吗？ 我不喝茶。 你喝什么？ 你去哪儿？
Keep the order; add 吗
For a simple yes/no question, append 吗 to a statement. 你喝茶 becomes 你喝茶吗？ You do not need an English-style do or does.
An answer can repeat the relevant verb: 喝 for yes, or 不喝 for no. The best answer depends on the context.
Ask what, where, or who
A question word normally stays where the answer would go. If the unknown is the drink, replace 茶 with 什么: 你喝什么？
Do not normally add 吗 to a question that already asks for information using 什么, 哪儿, or 谁.
Lesson vocabulary
Read each word aloud, then test your recall of its meaning.
| 吗 | yes/no question particle | |
| 什么 | what | |
| 哪儿 | where | |
| 谁 | who | |
| 不 | not |
Practice questions
Answer the questions and read the explanations. You can repeat the exercises.
Add 吗 to a statement for a yes/no question. Use a question word in the position of the missing information.