Four Types of Questions
疑问句类型
Recognize and produce the 4 key question types
Chinese has four elegant ways to ask questions. Each type serves a different purpose, and none of them require changing word order like English does!
The biggest difference from English: Chinese questions keep the same word order as statements. Just add the question marker!
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Four Types of Questions (疑问句类型)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 疑问句类型 pattern
New here?
Understanding 疑问句类型
Forget about flipping "you are" to "are you?" Chinese questions are wonderfully simple — the word order stays the same! You have four tools in your question toolkit: (1) Add 吗 for yes/no questions, (2) Use question words like 谁, 什么, 哪 for specific info, (3) Use 还是 for "or" choices, and (4) Use the A-not-A pattern for direct yes/no alternatives. Let's master all four! The beauty of Chinese questions is that the sentence structure doesn't change — you just swap in the question element where the answer would go. So if the answer is 我叫小明, the question is 你叫什么名字？ Same structure, just the unknown part replaced by a question word.
Key Points
- 吗-questions (yes/no): 你是学生吗？(Nǐ shì xuéshēng ma?) — Are you a student?
- Wh-questions (specific info): 你叫什么名字？(Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) — What's your name?
- 还是-questions (choice): 你喝茶还是咖啡？(Nǐ hē chá háishi kāfēi?) — Do you drink tea or coffee?
- A-not-A questions (direct alternative): 你去不去？(Nǐ qù bù qù?) — Are you going or not?
- Word order stays the same as declarative sentences — just add the question element!
- Never mix question types! Using 吗 with a question word or A-not-A pattern is a common mistake.
- The particle 呢 can ask "What about...?" as a follow-up: 我很好，你呢？(I'm fine, and you?)
- Tag questions use 好吗 or 对吗 at the end: 我们走吧，好吗？(Let's go, OK?)
The most common greeting in Chinese is actually a question: 你吃了吗？(Have you eaten?) It's not really about food — it's like saying "How are you?" Just answer 吃了！(Yes!) and move on.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
你是老师吗？
Are you a teacher?
吗-question: add 吗 at the end
你在哪儿工作？
Where do you work?
Wh-question with 哪儿 (where)
谁是你的老师？
Who is your teacher?
Wh-question with 谁 (who)
你喝茶还是咖啡？
Do you drink tea or coffee?
还是-question: offering two choices
你去不去？
Are you going (or not)?
A-not-A question pattern
你什么时候来？
When are you coming?
Wh-question with 什么时候 (when)
这个多少钱？
How much is this?
Wh-question — shopping essential
你想吃中餐还是西餐？
Do you want Chinese food or Western food?
还是-question — deciding on a restaurant
医生，我的身体怎么样？
Doctor, how is my health?
Wh-question with 怎么样 — at the doctor
你觉得好不好？
Do you think it's good or not?
A-not-A pattern with adjective — asking a friend
Common Mistakes
Don't mix question types! If you already have a question word (哪儿), don't add 吗. One question marker per sentence.
In questions, use 还是 (not 或者) for "or." 或者 is for statements: 茶或者咖啡都可以 (Tea or coffee is fine).
The A-not-A pattern (是不是) is already a question. Adding 吗 is redundant. Pick one!
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Never mix question types in the same sentence — pick one: 吗, question word, 还是, or A-not-A.
The question word sits exactly where the answer would go: 你去哪儿？→ 我去北京。Same position!
When unsure which type to use: need yes/no? Use 吗. Need details? Use a question word. Offering choices? Use 还是.
The A-not-A pattern sounds more direct and natural than 吗 in many everyday situations. Compare: 你去不去？(Going or not?) vs. 你去吗？(Are you going?). The first feels snappier.
Master these three shopping questions and you're set: 这个多少钱？(How much?), 有没有大一点的？(Do you have a bigger one?), 可以便宜一点吗？(Can you make it cheaper?).
Homework
Write two questions of each type (8 total). Interview a friend or family member using all four types. Record their answers next to each question.
Ask Jason
Have a question about Four Types of Questions (疑问句类型)?
Jason explains this pattern at your level, gives you more examples and checks your own sentences.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
See the Learning Lab