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啊 (a) — (modal particle) softens the tone, adds emotion, or makes suggestions more friendly

Definition

啊 is the most common softener particle in Chinese: it lightens statements, makes questions gentler, and turns commands into friendly suggestions (as in the examples). Pronounced as a short, neutral 'a'.

particle
(modal particle) softens the tone, adds emotion, or makes suggestions more friendly
Easily confused

Examples

  • 啊！
    Lái a!
    Come on!
  • 啊？
    Zhè shì nǐ de shū a?
    Is this your book?
  • 啊。
    Wǒ men yì qǐ qù a.
    Let's go together.

Grammar

Appears in
100 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 3.0 Level 2500 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 2.0 Level 31000 Most Frequent Chinese Words2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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