呢

ne

HSK 2.0 Level 1 HSK 3.0 Level 1 Particle Very common

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呢

ne Particle particle indicating that a previously asked question is to be applied to the preceding word (\What about ...?\, \And ...?\); particle for inquiring about location (\Where is ...?\)

呢

ní woolen material

Definitions

1. particle indicating that a previously asked question is to be applied to the preceding word (\What about ...?\, \And ...?\)
2. particle for inquiring about location (\Where is ...?\)
3. particle signaling a pause, to emphasize the preceding words and allow the listener time to take them on board (\ok?\, \are you with me?\)
4. (at the end of a declarative sentence) particle indicating continuation of a state or action
5. particle indicating strong affirmation

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Stroke order

8 strokes

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Word relationships

Related words

3 items

• 吗 ma 吗 ma (question particle for \yes-no\ questions) 呢用于追问或省略问句，吗用于一般疑问句: (question particle for \yes-no\ questions)
• 吧 ba 吧 ba (modal particle indicating suggestion or surmise) 呢和吧都是句末助词，吧表建议或推测: (modal particle indicating suggestion or surmise)
• 啊 a 啊 a modal particle ending sentence, showing affirmation, approval, or consent 呢与啊均可作停顿语气词，啊更口语化: modal particle ending sentence, showing affirmation, approval, or consent

Usage notes

Collocations

呢 is often paired with 正在 or 着 for ongoing actions, as in 正在吃饭呢.

Common mistakes

Don't use 呢 to turn a statement into a yes/no question; use 吗 instead.

Example Sentences

5 shown

你干吗 呢 ？

What are you doing?

你在干吗 呢 ？

What are you doing?

你在做什么 呢 ？

What are you doing?

他正看电视 呢 。

He is watching TV right now.

你咋没来 呢 ？

Why didn't you come?

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 呢

• 制服呢 制服呢 zhì fú ní: tweed cloth (used for military uniforms etc)
• 呢呢 呢呢 ní ní: garrulous
• 呢呢痴痴 呢呢痴痴 ní ní chī chī: docile
• 呢喃 呢喃 ní nán: (onom.) twittering of birds
• 呢喃细语 呢喃细语 ní nán xì yǔ: whispering in a low voice (idiom); murmuring
• 呢子 呢子 ní zi: woolen cloth
• 唵嘛呢叭咪吽 唵嘛呢叭咪吽 ǎn má ní bā mī hōng: om mani padme hum (Buddhist mantra)
• 怎么说呢 怎么说呢 zěn me shuō ne: Why is that?
• 斜纹软呢 斜纹软呢 xié wén ruǎn ní: tweed
• 格子呢 格子呢 gé zi ní: tartan
• 格子花呢 格子花呢 gé zi huā ní: tartan
• 管他呢 管他呢 guǎn tā ne: don’t worry about (it, him etc)
• 台面呢 台面呢 tái miàn ní: baize
• 花呢 花呢 huā ní: tweed
• 华达呢 华达呢 huá dá ní: gabardine (loanword)
• 着呢 着呢 zhe ne: comes at the end of the sentence to indicate a strong degree
• 软呢 软呢 ruǎn ní: tweed