吗 ma

“(question particle for "yes-no" questions)”

modal particleHSK 1 · 2021 list level 1Traditional 嗎

新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level

吗 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.

Entry 115: 吗 ma — Level 1; official annotation 1 (助). PDF page 82

Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.

用法How to use 吗

吗 is a sentence-final particle that turns a statement into a yes-no question, like adding a question mark in English. Put it at the end of the sentence; do not use it in questions that already contain a question word. Answers are usually 是/不 or the verb, not 吗.

例句Example sentences

你是学生吗？nǐ shì xué sheng ma?Are you a student?
你明天来吗？nǐ míng tiān lái ma?Are you coming tomorrow?
妈妈在家吗？mā ma zài jiā ma?Is Mom at home?

常见错误Common mistakes

✗吗你是学生？

✓你是学生吗？

吗 is a sentence-final particle, so it comes at the end of the sentence.
✗你叫什么吗？

✓你叫什么？

吗 is for yes-no questions, not for questions that already have a question word like 什么.

易混词Easily confused

吗vs呢

吗 makes a simple yes-no question; 呢 often means “what about...?” or marks a follow-up question, not a plain yes-no question.

义项All meanings

má: (coll.) what?
mǎ: used in 吗啡
ma: (question particle for "yes-no" questions)