嘛 (ma) — (modal particle) marks a statement as obvious or self-evident, used in explanations and gentle suggestions
Definition
嘛 (ma) is a sentence-final particle that softens a statement, making it sound obvious or gently persuasive. Use it in casual speech to coax or remind, not in formal writing.
particle
(modal particle) marks a statement as obvious or self-evidentused in explanations and gentle suggestions
Examples
- 嘛，。Jīn tiān shì xīng qī yī ma, yào shàng bān.Today is Monday, so of course we have to go to work.
- 嘛。Nǐ jué de lèi jiù xiū xi ma.If you feel tired, just rest—you should know that's fine.
- 嘛，。Tā bù dǒng zhōng wén ma, nǐ màn màn shuō.He doesn't understand Chinese, you see, so speak slowly.
Grammar
Appears in
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