Hello welcome back to YoYo chinese grammar. To convert a statement to a yes or no question,
you simply need to add 'ma' at the end, or to use the verb not verb structure. However,
for questions that require real answers. There's a new set of rule. Now it's time for me to
introduce to you a new chinese grammar, we call it Content Question Words. Here it is,
in english, the question words such as what when where and how usually begins the sentence.
But in chinese, the question words goes where the answer goes. For example, in english you
say, what is this? In chinese, you say, this is what? The reason you put what at the end
is because when you answer the question, you say This is a book. This is a cup. This is
a cat. The variable part of answer is at the end, so that's where you need to put content
question words. In other words, question and answers use the same phrase order and they
mirror each other. It's like in math, a variable goes where a number should be, so if you want
to ask who are you? In chinese, the correct phrase order is you are who? Because when
you answer the question, you say I am so and so. So 'you are who' mirrors 'I am so and
so'. That's why to form a content question, you should always work from the answer first.
Now let's speak some chinglish, which is speaking english using the chinese grammar. Here we
go, What do you like? Chinglish: You like what? To answer this question, I should say
I like blah blah blah. You mirrors I, like stays the same and what mirrors blah blah
blah. A question word should be put where the answer is, now let's try a few more. What
movie do you want to watch? Since the answer is I want to watch blah blah blah movies.
The chinglish version of the question is You want to watch what movies? Next one, Who do
you love? Since you are going to answer I love so& so, to form the question you should
replace so & so with a question word who. And the chinglish version of the question
becomes You love who? Let's move on, When do you go to sleep? This is obviously a content
question that seeks a real answer. Not just yes or no. In this scenario, you need to work
from the answer. So you would probably answer something like I go to sleep at 10 pm. Or
I go to sleep at midnight. Well, please notice here, that I go to sleep at 10 pm is not chinglish.
Remember? In chinese, time needs to go before the verb. To have the question mirror the
answer. You first need to have a chinglish answer. The chinglish answer would be I at
10 pm go to sleep. Now we have a chinglish answer to work from, so now simply replace
at 10 pm with a question word when and then you are set. So the chinglish version of the
question 'when do you go to sleep' should be ' you when go to sleep?' It might sound
complicated at the beginning, but with some practice you won't have to go through this
rule each time before you form a question. It will become your second nature. So in summary,
whenever you want to ask a question, ask yourself first ' is this a yes or no question that
seeks a yes or no answer or it is a content question that seeks a real answer.' If it's
a yes or no question, work from the statement by adding 'ma' at the end. If it's a content
question, work from the answer and have the question mirror the answer. Alright, in our
next lesson, we are going to start learning all the content question words in details.
We are gonna start with who. Jiā yóu, zài jiàn.