Active Questions

Question 1

Is that person (verb, ie. running)?

Answer 1

Ta zài (verb, ie. running) ma?

A: duì, tā zài (verb, ie. running).
Yes, they are (verb, ie. running).
- or -
méi you, tài méi zài (verb, ie. running).
No, that person is no (verb, ie. running).
Note: Ni zai (verb) (object) ma? can be used for ie, are you riding a bike. (answer duí or mei you)

Question 2

What is that person doing?

Answer 2

Zhè (person) zài zùo shén me?

A: Zhè (person) zài (verb, ie. running).
That (person) is (verb, ie. running).

Modifiers: Q: Nín zài zùo shen me?

                 What are you doing?

                    A:	Wo zài (verb, ie. running).

Note: If you replace zùo with a verb the sentence becomes about that verb. Ie, if you exchange zùo with hē the sentence is “what are you drinking”.

Question 3

Do you have a (object)?

Answer 3

Ni li you (object) ma?

A: You or mei you.

Question 4

How many (object) are there?

Answer 4

Zhè li you duō shao (object w/ modifier)?

A: Zhè li you (#) (object)

Note: Also ni (men) you (object w/ modifier)

Question 5

What do you need?

Answer 5

Q: ni xū yào shén me?

A: wo xū yào (object).
I need a (object).

Question 6

Why do you need the (object)?

Answer 6

Q: ni wèi shén me xū yào (object)?
Why do you need the (object)?

A: yīn wèi + (reason)
Because + (reason)

Question 7

Excuse me, is this the (place)?

Answer 7

qing wèn, zhe li shi (place w/ out modifier) ma?

Question 8

Excuse me, where is the place?

Answer 8

qing wèn, (place w/ out modifier) zài na li?