Auxiliary WordsHSK 5
Listing things with 啊
Use 啊 between items in a list to create a casual, spoken rhythm. Adding 什么的 at the end means 'and so on' or 'things like that', but avoid 等等 as it sounds too formal. This pattern is common when giving examples or enumerating things informally.
Structure
A 啊， B 啊， C 啊 (+ 什么的)
In casual spoken lists; avoid formal 等等
Examples
- 我们什么零食都有，花生啊，瓜子啊，薯片啊，你随便吃吧。Wǒmen shénme língshí dōu yǒu, huāshēng a , guāzǐ a , shǔpiàn a , nǐ suíbiàn chī ba.We have all sorts of snacks: peanuts, roasted seeds, chips, go ahead and eat whatever you want.
- 椅子啊，桌子啊，电脑啊什么的，都买好了，现在办公室只差招员工了！Yǐzi a , zhuōzi a , diànnǎo a shénme de , dōu mǎihǎo le, xiànzài bàngōngshì zhǐ chà zhāo yuángōng le!Chairs, tables, computers, and so on have all been bought. Now the office only needs to hire staff!
- 春节啊，中秋节啊，端午节啊，都是中国重要的节日。Chūnjié a , Zhōngqiū Jié a , Duānwǔ Jié a , dōu shì Zhōngguó zhòngyào de jiérì.Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, are all important Chinese holidays.
- 这首歌太火了，路上啊，车上啊，电视上啊，都在放这首歌。Zhè shǒu gē tài huǒ le, lùshang a , chē shang a , diànshì shang a , dōu zài fàng zhè shǒu gē.This song is too popular! On the street, in the car, on TV, they are all playing this song.
- 你去上海啊，杭州啊，南京啊，都很方便的。Nǐ qù Shànghǎi a , Hángzhōu a , Nánjīng a , dōu hěn fāngbiàn de.Going to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, are all very convenient.