呢

• Pinyin: ne
• Hanzi breakdown: 呢 = 口 (mouth, semantic) + 尼 (phonetic component)

Meaning

A modal particle used to ask follow-up questions, soften statements, or indicate an ongoing action.

A very versatile particle with multiple functions. Most commonly used to bounce a question back: 我很好，你呢？(I'm fine, and you?). Also used after a statement to soften it or indicate continuation. One of the first particles learners encounter.

Examples

1. 我很好，你呢？ I'm fine, and you?
2. 他在看书呢。 He's reading a book.
3. 你的书呢？ Where is your book?

Usage Guide

Context: grammar, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 你去哪儿呢？(Where are you going?)
• 我在吃饭呢。(I'm eating right now.)

Don't Say

• 他是老师吗呢？(Don't combine 吗 and 呢 — they are different question particles; use one or the other, not both)

Origin & History

A grammatical particle that developed in spoken Chinese. The character uses 口 (mouth) as the semantic component and 尼 as the phonetic component.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal