\tMandarin does not have specific words for saying “yes” and “no.” Instead, the verb which is used in the Mandarin question is used to make a positive or negative reply.<\/p>\n
\tFor example, if the question was:<\/p>\n
\tDo you like rice?
\tThe answer could be:<\/p>\n
\tI like.
\tor
\tI don’t like.
\tANSWERING MANDARIN QUESTIONS
\tMandarin questions can be answered with the question verb. This verb can be either positive (to answer “yes”) or negative (to answer “no”).<\/p>\n
\tThe positive form of the verb is simply the verb repeated:<\/p>\n
\tQ: N\u01d0 x\u01d0huan fàn ma?
\tDo you like rice?
\t\u4f60\u559c\u6b61\u98ef\u55ce?<\/p>\n
\tA: X\u01d0huan.
\t(I) like.
\t\u559c\u6b61\uff61
\tIf you want to say you don’t like rice, you would say bù x\u01d0huan.<\/p>\n
\tTHE MANDARIN “NO”
\tTo answer “no” to a question, the negative form of the question verb is formed using the particle \u4e0d (bù). The only “irregular” verb is \u6709 (y\u01d2u – to have), which uses \u6c92 (méi) for its negative form.<\/p>\n
\tMéi is also used for negating Functive Verbs (action verbs) when talking about past actions. In this situation, méi is a short form for méi y\u01d2u and either form can be used.<\/p>\n
\tMANDARIN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
\tQ: N\u01d0 y\u01d2u b\u01d0 ma?
\tDo you have a pen?
\t\u4f60\u6709\u7b46\u55ce?<\/p>\n
\tA: Méi y\u01d2u.
\tNo (don’t have).
\t\u6c92\u6709\uff61<\/p>\n
\tQ: N\u01d0 yào bú yào m\u01cei?
\tDo you want to buy (it)?
\t\u4f60\u8981\u4e0d\u8981\u8cb7?<\/p>\n
\tA: Yào.
\tYes (want).
\t\u8981\uff61<\/p>\n
\tQ: J\u012bnti\u0101n shì x\u012bng q\u012b y\u012b ma?
\tIs today Monday?
\t\u4eca\u5929\u662f\u661f\u671f\u4e00\u55ce?<\/p>\n
\tA: Shì.
\tYes (is).
\t\u662f\uff61<\/p>\n