ParticlesHSK 4
Advanced yes-no questions with 吗
Embed a wh-question (using 什么, 谁, 哪儿, etc.) inside a confirmation phrase like 知道 or 明白, then add 吗 to form a yes/no question that asks if someone knows or understands that information. Common pitfall: the question word still asks for a specific thing, not just a yes/no — don't drop it.
Structure
Subj. + Verb (知道/了解/明白/认识…) + [Question Clause] + 吗
The embedded clause must contain a question word like 什么, 谁, 哪儿.
Examples
- 你知道这是什么吗？Nǐ zhīdào zhè shì shénme ma?Do you know what this is?
- 你知道他是谁吗？Nǐ zhīdào tā shì shéi ma?Do you know who he is?
- 你知道他叫什么名字吗？Nǐ zhīdào tā jiào shénme míngzi ma?Do you know what his name is?
- 她说过她住在哪儿吗？Tā shuō guo tā zhù zài nǎr ma?Did she say where she lives?
- 你们明白这个标志是什么意思吗？Nǐmen míngbai zhège biāozhì shì shénme yìsi ma?Do you all understand what this symbol means?