ne

呢

HSK 1Character · Particle · NounTraditional吶

modal particle; wool fabric

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

5 senses · 25 examples
1.

particle

modal particle for interrogative sentences

neutral

Can be used in special questions, alternative questions, and positive-negative questions. Often omitted in very casual spoken Chinese, but mandatory in standard written questions.

Zhè这
ge个
dào道
lǐ理
zài在
nǎr哪
ne儿
 ~
 ?

Where is this principle?

Nǐ你
xué学
tí提
qín琴
ne~
 ,
hái还
shì是
xué学
gāng钢
qín琴
ne~
 ?

Do you study violin, or do you study piano?

Show 3 more examples
Nǐ你
men们
láo劳
dòng动
lì力
gòu够
bu不
gòu够
ne~
 ?

Do you have enough labor force?

Rén人
ne~
 ?
Dōu都
dào到
nǎr哪
qù儿
le去
 了
 ?

Where are the people? Where did everyone go?

Tā他
men们
dōu都
yǒu有
rèn任
wù务
le了
 ,
wǒ我
ne~
 ?

They all have assignments, what about me?

2.

particle

modal particle for confirming facts

informal

Emphasizes the truth of the statement, often used to persuade or reassure the listener. Usually carries a slightly emphatic, conversational tone.

Shōu收
huò获
bù不
xiǎo小
ne~
 !

The harvest is quite substantial!

Wǎn晚
chǎng场
diàn电
yǐng影
bā八
diǎn点
cái才
kāi开
ne~
 !

The evening movie doesn't start until eight o'clock!

Show 3 more examples
Yuǎn远
de得
hěn很
 ,
yǒu有
liǎng两
sān三
qiān千
lǐ里
dì地
ne~
 !

It's very far, thousands of li away!

Zhè这
ge个
yào药
líng灵
de得
hěn很
ne~
 ,
fū敷
shàng上
jiù就
bù不
téng疼
 。

This medicine works very well; it stops the pain right after application.

Zhè这
dào道
cài菜
là辣
de得
yào要
mìng命
ne~
 !

This dish is extremely spicy!

3.

particle

modal particle for ongoing actions

neutral

Indicates that an action is in progress at the moment of speaking, or that a current state continues.

Tā她
zài在
jǐng井
biān边
dǎ打
shuǐ水
ne~
 。

She is drawing water by the well right now.

Bié别
zǒu走
le了
 ,
wài外
miàn面
xià下
zhe着
yǔ雨
ne~
 。

Don't leave, it's raining outside.

Show 3 more examples
Lǎo老
zhāng张
 ,
mén门
wài外
yǒu有
rén人
zhǎo找
nǐ你
ne~
 。

Old Zhang, someone is looking for you at the door.

Mā妈
ma妈
zhèng正
zài在
zuò做
fàn饭
ne~
 。

Mom is cooking right now.

Tóng同
xué学
men们
dōu都
zài在
rèn认
zhēn真
tīng听
jiǎng讲
ne~
 。

All the students are listening carefully in class.

4.

particle

particle for pause in sentences

neutral

Used to separate clauses or topics, often used for contrast or emphasis when listing options.

Rú如
jīn今
ne~
 ,
kě可
bǐ比
wǎng往
nián年
qiáng强
duō多
le了
 。

Nowadays, things are much better than in previous years.

Xǐ喜
huan欢
ne~
 ,
jiù就
mǎi买
xià下
 ;
bù不
xǐ喜
huan欢
ne~
 ,
jiù就
bié别
mǎi买
 。

If you like it, buy it; if you don't like it, don't buy it.

Show 3 more examples
Yào要
shuō说
kùn困
nán难
ne~
 ,
què确
shí实
yǒu有
yī一
xiē些
 ,
dàn但
wǒ我
men们
néng能
kè克
fú服
 。

Speaking of difficulties, there are indeed some, but we can overcome them.

Zuǒ左
bian边
ne~
 ,
shì是
tú图
shū书
guǎn馆
 ;
yòu右
bian边
ne~
 ,
shì是
jiào教
xué学
lóu楼
 。

On the left is the library, and on the right is the teaching building.

Nǐ你
yào要
shi是
qù去
ne~
 ,
jì记
de得
bāng帮
wǒ我
dài带
běn本
shū书
 ;
bù不
qù去
ne~
 ,
jiù就
suàn算
le了
 。

If you go, remember to bring me a book; if you don't, just forget it.

5.

noun

woolen fabric; cloth

neutral

Refers to thick, warm woolen textiles, commonly used for coats, blankets, etc.

Máo毛
ne~

woolen fabric

Hòu厚
ne~
dà大
yī衣

thick woolen coat

Show 3 more examples
Ne~
róng绒
bī哔
jī叽

woolen serge

Zhè这
jiàn件
ne呢
zi子
wài外
tào套
hěn很
bǎo保
nuǎn暖
 。

This woolen coat is very warm.

Dōng冬
tiān天
wǒ我
xǐ喜
huan欢
chuān穿
ne呢
zi子
dà大
yī衣
 。

I like to wear woolen coats in winter.