ma

嘛

HSK 6Character · Particle

obviously; urging; pause particle

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 15 examples
1.

particle

particle indicating that a fact is obvious or self-evident

informal

Used at the end of a sentence to assert that what was said should be clear to everyone. Note: This character is used for obvious facts, while '吗' is used for questions.

Yǒu有
yì意
jiàn见
jiù就
tí提
ma嘛
 。

If you have an opinion, just state it.

Zhè这
yě也
bù不
néng能
guài怪
tā他
 ,
tóu头
yī一
huí回
zuò做
ma嘛
 。

You can't blame him for this; it's his first time doing it.

Show 3 more examples
Tā他
zì自
jǐ己
yào要
qù去
ma嘛
 ,
wǒ我
yǒu有
shén什
me么
bàn办
fǎ法
 ?

He wanted to go himself, so what could I do?

Dà大
jiā家
dōu都
shì是
péng朋
you友
ma嘛
 ,
hù互
xiāng相
bāng帮
zhù助
shì是
yīng应
gāi该
de的
 。

We are all friends, so we should help each other.

Tā他
hái还
zhǐ只
shì是
gè个
hái孩
zi子
ma嘛
 ,
bù不
dǒng懂
shì事
hěn很
zhèng正
cháng常
 。

He's just a child, so it's normal for him to be naive.

2.

particle

particle indicating expectation, urging, or dissuasion

informal

Used to express a hope for someone to do something, or to persuade them not to do something. It adds a softening or pleading tone.

Nǐ你
zǒu走
kuài快
diǎnr点
ma儿
 嘛
 !

Hurry up and walk a bit faster!

Bù不
ràng让
nǐ你
qù去
 ,
jiù就
bié别
qù去
ma嘛
 。

If you aren't allowed to go, then don't go.

Show 3 more examples
Zài再
péi陪
wǒ我
wán玩
yī一
huìr会
ma儿
hǎo嘛
 ,
bù好
hǎo不
 好
 ?

Play with me for a little longer, okay?

Nǐ你
jiù就
bāng帮
bang帮
wǒ我
ma嘛
 !

Just help me out, please!

Bié别
shēng生
qì气
le了
ma嘛
 ,
duō多
dà大
de的
rén人
le了
 。

Don't be angry anymore; look at how old you are.

3.

particle

particle used in a pause to call attention to the following topic

informal

Placed after a noun or topic, often indicating that the speaker is about to explain their view on that topic.

Kē科
xué学
ma嘛
 ,
jiù就
děi得
jiǎng讲
jiū究
shí实
shì事
qiú求
shì是
 。

As for science, one must seek truth from facts.

Qí其
shí实
ma嘛
 ,
zé责
rèn任
zài在
lǐng领
dǎo导
 ,
bù不
néng能
guài怪
qún群
zhòng众
 。

Actually, the responsibility lies with the leadership, not the masses.

Show 3 more examples
Gōng工
zuò作
ma嘛
 ,
zǒng总
huì会
yǒu有
kùn困
nán难
de的
 ,
bù不
yào要
pà怕
 。

Work always has its difficulties, so don't be afraid.

Chī吃
fàn饭
ma嘛
 ,
zuì最
zhòng重
yào要
de的
jiù就
shì是
yào要
chī吃
de得
kāi开
xīn心
 。

When it comes to eating, the most important thing is to enjoy it.

Qián钱
ma嘛
 ,
duō多
shǎo少
shì是
gè个
gòu够
a啊
 。

As for money, how much is ever enough?