How does one ask questions in Chinese? This article will tell you how questions are formed and where the questions words are supposed to go. After all, one of the best ways to learn is to ask questions!
Category: Chinese Grammar
Write 巾(jīn)(a piece of cloth) in Chinese character
巾(jīn) Origin: “巾”的本义是“手巾”或“擦抹用布”，又是古代的一种头冠，例如汉末农民起义军头裹黄巾，称为“黄巾军”。
This character’s original meaning was “hand towel” or “rag.” In ancient times, “巾” was a kind of crown. During the end of Eastern Han Dynasty, a peasant uprising army wrapped yellow scarves around their heads, and they were called the “Yellow Turban Army.”
Chinese grammar: Affirmative-negative questions
A common way to form questions in Chinese is to first use a verb in the positive, then repeat the same verb in its negative form. These are called "affirmative-negative questions" or "alternative questions." The structure is:
Write 服(fú)(clothing) in Chinese character
服 (fú) Origin: 甲骨文中，“服”像一只大手抓住了一个人，使他屈服，这就是“服”字的本义，后来，“服”也有“顺从”、“衣服”的意思。
On ancient oracle bone inscriptions, “服” looks like a big hand catching someone and making him yield, which is the character’s original meaning. Later, it extended to “to obey” and “clothing.”
Chinese grammar: Simple “noun + adjective” sentences
In English, nouns can be linked to adjectives and other nouns with the verb to be. In Chinese, nouns are linked in different ways to adjectives and other nouns. Nouns are linked to nouns with 是. Nouns are linked to adjectives with 很(hěn).
Write 宫(gōng)(palace) in Chinese character
宫(gōng) Origin: 早期的甲骨文“宫”的字形是两个相连的方块状，表示宫室的建筑物。后来加上屋宇的义符“宀”，就更明确地表达了字义。
On early oracle bone inscriptions, “宫” appeared as two connected squares, which represented palace buildings. Later, the semantic radical for buildings (“宀”) was added, making the expression more explicit.
Chinese grammar:Expressing “excessively” with “tai”
The simplest structure for expressing too in the sense of excessively in Chinese uses the word 太 (tài).
Write 苟(gǒu)(just) in Chinese character
苟(gǒu)
Origin: “苟”是“傲”和“警”的本字，字形像一条狗蹲在地上，竖起了双耳。本义是“警惕”。“苟” is the original version of the character “傲”and “警”. It looks like a dog crouching on the ground, with its two ears erect. The character’s original meaning was “to be on alert.”
Chinese grammar: Connecting nouns with “shi”
In Chinese grammar, the verb to be is not used in Chinese the same way as it is in English. In Chinese, 是 is for connecting nouns, and is generally not used with adjectives.
Write 盥(guàn)(to wash) in Chinese character
盥 (guàn) Origin:
盥”字像一只手在一个器皿里洗濯，旁边有水。本义是“洗手”。现在还有“盥洗室”这个常用词。
“盥” resembles a person was washing a hand in a bowl. Its original meaning was “to wash hands.” Today, the word “盥洗室” is still commonly used.
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