01 / READExamples
Highlighted words show the grammar pattern. Reveal the English translation when needed.
我坐公交车去，你呢？
I am going by bus. What about you?
The follow-up asks about the other person’s way of getting there.
姐姐想喝热茶，弟弟呢？
My older sister wants hot tea. What about my younger brother?
The conversation supplies the question about what he wants to drink.
你的背包在这里，我的呢？
Your backpack is here. What about mine?
我的 stands for my backpack, and the context suggests a question about its location.
02 / UNDERSTANDHow it works
Sentence pattern
After a clear statement or question, 呢 can help you ask “what about…?” Name the new person or thing, then add 呢. The listener uses the conversation to recover the missing words. If you have just said you are drinking tea, 你呢 can ask what the other person is drinking.
你呢 does not always mean one fixed sentence; it could ask about someone’s choice, plans, feelings, or location, depending on what came before. Supply enough information before the short follow-up so the listener does not have to guess which question you intend.
A noun followed by 呢 can also ask about a missing or expected person or thing: “What about the keys?” may mean “Where are the keys?” This is different from turning a full statement into a yes–no question with 吗. Learn the short follow-up use first before treating 呢 as a general question marker.
COMMON MISTAKESWhat to watch for
Avoid我坐公交车去，呢你？
Use我坐公交车去，你呢？
Put the topic 你 before 呢. The short follow-up 你呢 asks how the other person travels, using the context of the first statement.
03 / PRACTISECheck your understanding
04 / VOCABULARYLesson vocabulary
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning here |
|---|---|---|
| 公交车 | gōngjiāochē | bus |
| 弟弟 | dìdi | younger brother |
| 背包 | bēibāo | backpack |
Choose a Chinese word for dictionary definitions, examples and stroke order. The meanings above are specific to this lesson.
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Written for this website. Levels indicate difficulty, not official HSK placement. The app covers this topic with different wording and exercises.
