Chinese Particles - 助詞
In Chinese, particles are known as zhùcí (助词; 助詞) or yǔzhùcí (语助词; 語助詞). They belong to function words (虚词; 虛詞; xūcí). In other words, they have no lexical meaning, but are used to indicate certain grammatical information. This contrasts with content words (实词; 實詞; shící). Particles in Chinese usually take the neutral tone.
Linguists often categorize Chinese particles into three main types: structural, which indicate syntactic relationships; aspectual, which convey grammatical aspect; and modal, which signal linguistic modality. In simple terms, structural particles help link parts of a sentence, aspectual particles indicate the timing or state of an action, and modal particles reflect the speaker's attitude or mood. However, this classification can oversimplify the complexity of Chinese particles. Some particles do not fit neatly into these categories, and their meanings can shift significantly depending on sentence structure or the speaker's intent. Therefore, this article breaks down particles into four categories, encompensing structural, modal, temporal, and sentence-final, with many crossovers.
Structural - 結構
Structural particles are words that indicate the grammatical relationships between words and phrases in a sentence.
的 (de)
Used to show possession or modify nouns.
- 我的書 (wǒ de shū) - my book
- 漂亮的花 (piàoliang de huā) - beautiful flowers
- 這是我的筆 (zhè shì wǒ de bǐ) - This is my pen
得 (de)
Used to introduce complements of degree or manner.
- 跑得快 (pǎo de kuài) - run fast
- 做得好 (zuò de hǎo) - do well
- 唱得很好 (chàng de hěn hǎo) - sing very well
地 (de)
Used to turn adjectives into adverbs, indicating how an action is performed.
- 慢慢地走 (màn man de zǒu) - walk slowly
- 開心地笑 (kāi xīn de xiào) - laugh happily
- 快速地完成 (kuài sù de wán chéng) - finish quickly
了 (le)
Indicates a completed action or change of state.
- 我吃了晚餐 (wǒ chī le wǎn cān) - I have eaten dinner
- 他去了學校 (tā qù le xué xiào) - He went to school
- 她學會了游泳 (tā xué huì le yóu yǒng) - She learned how to swim
著 (zhe)
Indicates a continuous state or an ongoing action.
- 他看著書 (tā kàn zhe shū) – He is reading a book.
- 我等著你 (wǒ děng zhe nǐ) – I am waiting for you.
- 門開著 (mén kāi zhe) – The door is open.
過 (guò)
Indicates past experience or something done at least once in the past.
- 我去過北京 (wǒ qù guò běi jīng) - I have been to Beijing
- 他看過這部電影 (tā kàn guò zhè bù diàn yǐng) - He has watched this movie
- 我們從未見過面 (wǒ men cóng wèi jiàn guò miàn) - We have never met
向 (xiàng)
Indicates direction or orientation.
- 向我走來 (xiàng wǒ zǒu lái) - Walk towards me
- 向右轉 (xiàng yòu zhuǎn) - Turn right
- 我向他請教 (wǒ xiàng tā qǐng jiào) - I ask him for advice
比 (bǐ)
Used to compare two things, often translated as "than."
- 他比我高 (tā bǐ wǒ gāo) - He is taller than me
- 這個比那個便宜 (zhè gè bǐ nà gè pián yí) - This one is cheaper than that one
- 我比你更忙 (wǒ bǐ nǐ gèng máng) - I am busier than you
被 (bèi)
Used to indicate a passive voice construction, where the subject receives the action.
- 我被老師罰了 (wǒ bèi lǎo shī fá le) - I was punished by the teacher
- 他被人告發了 (tā bèi rén gào fā le) - He was reported by someone
- 他被打傷了 (tā bèi dǎ shāng le) - He was injured by the beating
還 (hái)
Used to indicate "still," "yet," or "also."
- 他還在家 (tā hái zài jiā) - He is still at home
- 我還沒吃 (wǒ hái méi chī) - I haven't eaten yet
- 我還想再看看 (wǒ hái xiǎng zài kàn kàn) - I still want to take another look
跟 (gēn)
Used to indicate "with" or "and," or to show following or accompaniment.
- 我跟他是朋友 (wǒ gēn tā shì péng yǒu) - I am friends with him
- 他跟我一起去 (tā gēn wǒ yī qǐ qù) - He went with me
- 跟著他走 (gēn zhe tā zǒu) - Follow him
和 (hé)
Used to connect words or phrases, equivalent to "and" in English.
- 我和他是朋友 (wǒ hé tā shì péng yǒu) - He and I are friends
- 我喜歡蘋果和橙子 (wǒ xǐ huān píng guǒ hé chéng zi) - I like apples and oranges
- 她和我都去了 (tā hé wǒ dōu qù le) - She and I both went
或 (huò)
Used to indicate alternatives, meaning "or."
- 你喝茶或咖啡? (nǐ hē chá huò kā fēi?) - Do you drink tea or coffee?
- 他可能來或可能不來 (tā kě néng lái huò kě néng bù lái) - He might come, or he might not come
- 我們可以一起去或各自去 (wǒ men kě yǐ yī qǐ qù huò gè zì qù) - We can go together or go separately
就 (jiù)
Used to indicate immediacy or emphasis on a result.
- 我就知道 (wǒ jiù zhī dào) - I knew it right away
- 他就這麼做了 (tā jiù zhè me zuò le) - He did it just like that
- 他就會來 (tā jiù huì lái) - He will come right away
要是 (yào shì)
Used to indicate a hypothetical situation, similar to "if" or "should."
- 要是我知道就好了 (yào shì wǒ zhī dào jiù hǎo le) - If only I had known
- 要是你來，我就去 (yào shì nǐ lái, wǒ jiù qù) - If you come, I will go
- 要是有時間，我會來 (yào shì yǒu shí jiān, wǒ huì lái) - If I have time, I will come
Modal - 語氣
Modal particles are words that indicate a speaker's attitude or mood towards the content of a sentence. They are a type of grammatical particle and are uninflected.
啊 (a)
A modal particle used to soften a tone or to express surprise.
- 你來啦！(nǐ lái la!) - Oh, you're here!
- 這是什麼啊? (zhè shì shén me a?) - What is this?
- 你知道啊! (nǐ zhī dào a!) - You know!
啦 (la)
A modal particle used to indicate affirmation, realization, or impatience.
- 我們到了啦！(wǒ men dào le la!) - We’ve arrived!
- 快點啦！(kuài diǎn la!) - Hurry up!
- 他不會來啦！(tā bù huì lái la!) - He’s not coming!
嗎 (ma)
A modal particle used to form yes-no questions or to seek confirmation.
- 你喜歡嗎？(nǐ xǐ huan ma?) - Do you like it?
- 他去了嗎？(tā qù le ma?) - Did he go?
- 今天會下雨嗎？(jīn tiān huì xià yǔ ma?) - Will it rain today?
吧 (ba)
A modal particle used to suggest or to express uncertainty or agreement.
- 我們走吧！(wǒ men zǒu ba!) - Let’s go!
- 你是學生吧？(nǐ shì xué shēng ba?) - You’re a student, right?
- 那就算了吧！(nà jiù suàn le ba!) - Then just forget it!
呢 (ne)
A modal particle used to indicate a question, to soften a tone, or to highlight something.
- 他在哪兒呢？(tā zài nǎ er ne?) - Where is he?
- 我在等你呢！(wǒ zài děng nǐ ne!) - I’m waiting for you!
- 你的意見呢？(nǐ de yì jiàn ne?) - What about your opinion?
呀 (ya)
A modal particle used to soften a tone or to show surprise or urgency.
- 快來呀！(kuài lái ya!) - Hurry up!
- 這是什麼呀？(zhè shì shén me ya?) - What is this?
- 你好呀！(nǐ hǎo ya!) - Hi there!
咯 (lo)
A modal particle used to indicate obviousness or a relaxed tone.
- 你看咯！(nǐ kàn lo!) - See for yourself!
- 天晴咯！(tiān qíng lo!) - The sky is clear!
- 我說過咯！(wǒ shuō guò lo!) - I told you so!
噢 (ō)
A modal particle used to express realization or acknowledgment.
- 噢，我明白了！(ō, wǒ míng bái le!) - Oh, I understand now!
- 噢，是這樣啊！(ō, shì zhè yàng a!) - Oh, that’s how it is!
- 噢，好吧！(ō, hǎo ba!) - Oh, alright!
嘛 (ma)
A modal particle used to emphasize the obvious or for persuasion.
- 我說過了嘛！(wǒ shuō guò le ma!) - I already said that!
- 這很簡單嘛！(zhè hěn jiǎn dān ma!) - This is very simple!
- 別著急嘛！(bié zháo jí ma!) - Don’t rush!
嘍 (lou)
A modal particle used to indicate excitement or casual emphasis.
- 我們成功嘍！(wǒ men chéng gōng lou!) - We succeeded!
- 看這裡嘍！(kàn zhè lǐ lou!) - Look over here!
- 出發嘍！(chū fā lou!) - Let’s go!
Temporal - 時間
才 (cái)
Indicates lateness or an action happening only after certain conditions are met.
- 他十點才來 (tā shí diǎn cái lái) - He came only at 10 o'clock.
- 我吃完飯才出去 (wǒ chī wán fàn cái chū qù) - I will go out only after finishing the meal.
就 (jiù)
Indicates earliness, quickness, or an action happening immediately.
- 他八點就來了 (tā bā diǎn jiù lái le) - He came as early as 8 o'clock.
- 我一到家就吃飯 (wǒ yī dào jiā jiù chī fàn) - I ate as soon as I got home.
已經 (yǐ jīng)
Emphasizes an action that has already occurred.
- 我已經完成了作業 (wǒ yǐ jīng wán chéng le zuò yè) - I have already finished my homework.
- 他已經走了 (tā yǐ jīng zǒu le) - He has already left.
剛 (gāng)
Highlights an action that happened just now or a short while ago.
- 我剛到家 (wǒ gāng dào jiā) - I just got home.
- 他剛吃完飯 (tā gāng chī wán fàn) - He just finished eating.
剛才 (gāng cái)
Refers to something that happened moments ago, focusing on the immediate past.
- 我剛才看到他了 (wǒ gāng cái kàn dào tā le) - I saw him just now.
- 你剛才說什麼? (nǐ gāng cái shuō shén me?) - What did you just say?
還 (hái)
Emphasizes an action that is still ongoing or a situation that remains the same.
- 他還在家 (tā hái zài jiā) - He is still at home.
- 我還沒吃 (wǒ hái méi chī) - I haven’t eaten yet.
一直 (yī zhí)
Emphasizes continuity or an action persisting over time.
- 我一直在等你 (wǒ yī zhí zài děng nǐ) - I’ve been waiting for you.
- 他一直努力學習 (tā yī zhí nǔ lì xué xí) - He has been studying hard all along.
總是 (zǒng shì)
Emphasizes something that happens repeatedly or always.
- 他總是遲到 (tā zǒng shì chí dào) - He is always late.
- 她總是微笑 (tā zǒng shì wēi xiào) - She always smiles.
從來 (cóng lái)
Used to emphasize “always” or “never” depending on the context.
- 我從來沒見過他 (wǒ cóng lái méi jiàn guò tā) - I have never seen him.
- 她從來都是這麼勤奮 (tā cóng lái dōu shì zhè me qín fèn) - She has always been this diligent.
剛好 (gāng hǎo)
Indicates perfect timing or something happening at just the right moment.
- 我剛好到家 (wǒ gāng hǎo dào jiā) - I just got home in time.
- 他剛好打電話來 (tā gāng hǎo dǎ diàn huà lái) - He called at just the right time.
早就 (zǎo jiù)
Highlights an action that should or could have been done earlier.
- 我早就告訴你了 (wǒ zǎo jiù gào sù nǐ le) - I told you a long time ago.
- 他早就離開了 (tā zǎo jiù lí kāi le) - He left a long time ago.
一直以來 (yī zhí yǐ lái)
Emphasizes something that has been true or happening for a long time.
- 我一直以來都很喜歡音樂 (wǒ yī zhí yǐ lái dōu hěn xǐ huān yīn yuè) - I have always liked music.
- 這是我一直以來的夢想 (zhè shì wǒ yī zhí yǐ lái de mèng xiǎng) - This has always been my dream.
偶爾 (ǒu ěr)
Indicates an action that happens occasionally or rarely.
- 我偶爾會去跑步 (wǒ ǒu ěr huì qù pǎo bù) - I occasionally go running.
- 他偶爾來這裡吃飯 (tā ǒu ěr lái zhè lǐ chī fàn) - He occasionally eats here.
剎那間 (chà nà jiān)
Highlights something happening in an instant or a fleeting moment.
- 在剎那間，他就明白了 (zài chà nà jiān, tā jiù míng bái le) - In an instant, he understood.
- 剎那間，天就黑了 (chà nà jiān, tiān jiù hēi le) - In an instant, it turned dark.
不久 (bù jiǔ)
Indicates that something happened or will happen in a short amount of time.
- 我不久就會回來 (wǒ bù jiǔ jiù huì huí lái) - I’ll be back soon.
- 他不久前剛離開 (tā bù jiǔ qián gāng lí kāi) - He left just a while ago.
將要 (jiāng yào)
Indicates an action that is about to happen in the near future.
- 他將要離開 (tā jiāng yào lí kāi) - He is about to leave.
- 我們將要開始 (wǒ men jiāng yào kāi shǐ) - We are about to start.
- 比賽將要結束 (bǐ sài jiāng yào jié shù) - The game is about to end.
Sentence Final - 句末
了 (le)
A sentence-final particle used to indicate a change of state or a completed action.
- 下雨了。(xià yǔ le.) - It's raining now.
- 我吃飽了。(wǒ chī bǎo le.) - I’m full now.
- 他回家了。(tā huí jiā le.) - He has gone home.
嗎 (ma)
A question particle used to form yes-no questions.
- 你喜歡這本書嗎？(nǐ xǐ huān zhè běn shū ma?) - Do you like this book?
- 他是老師嗎？(tā shì lǎo shī ma?) - Is he a teacher?
- 這是你的嗎？(zhè shì nǐ de ma?) - Is this yours?
吧 (ba)
A suggestion or confirmation particle, often used to soften the tone or express uncertainty.
- 我們走吧！(wǒ men zǒu ba!) - Let's go!
- 你是學生吧？(nǐ shì xué shēng ba?) - You are a student, right?
- 把傘帶上吧。(bǎ sǎn dài shàng ba.) - Take an umbrella with you.
啊 (a)
A modal particle to express emotion, such as excitement, surprise, or emphasis.
- 好漂亮啊！(hǎo piào liàng a!) - So beautiful!
- 快來啊！(kuài lái a!) - Come quickly!
- 真有意思啊！(zhēn yǒu yì si a!) - So interesting!
呢 (ne)
A particle used to ask follow-up questions or to emphasize something.
- 他呢？(tā ne?) - What about him?
- 這本書呢？(zhè běn shū ne?) - What about this book?
- 我說的話呢？(wǒ shuō de huà ne?) - What about what I said?
啦 (la)
A casual particle often used to express excitement, impatience, or affirmation.
- 我知道啦！(wǒ zhī dào la!) - I know already!
- 快點啦！(kuài diǎn la!) - Hurry up!
- 好了啦！(hǎo le la!) - Alright already!
嘍 (lou)
A particle indicating excitement or casual emphasis.
- 我們成功嘍！(wǒ men chéng gōng lou!) - We succeeded!
- 看這裡嘍！(kàn zhè lǐ lou!) - Look over here!
- 出發嘍！(chū fā lou!) - Let’s go!
呀 (ya)
A particle used to soften a sentence, often with a tone of surprise or emphasis.
- 你來了呀！(nǐ lái le ya!) - Oh, you came!
- 這是什麼呀？(zhè shì shén me ya?) - What is this?
- 太好了呀！(tài hǎo le ya!) - That’s great!
喲 (yo)
A particle expressing surprise or excitement.
- 好久不見喲！(hǎo jiǔ bù jiàn yo!) - Long time no see!
- 你看喲！(nǐ kàn yo!) - Look at this!
- 真有趣喲！(zhēn yǒu qù yo!) - So interesting!
罷了 (bà le)
A particle used to downplay something or indicate that it’s no big deal.
- 我只是開玩笑罷了。(wǒ zhǐ shì kāi wán xiào bà le.) - I was just joking, that's all.
- 他只是個孩子罷了。(tā zhǐ shì gè hái zi bà le.) - He’s just a child, that's all.
- 這不過是一場比賽罷了。(zhè bù guò shì yī chǎng bǐ sài bà le.) - It’s just a game, that’s all.
哦 (o)
A particle used to express acknowledgment, realization, or emphasis.
- 哦，我明白了！(o, wǒ míng bái le!) - Oh, I understand now!
- 是哦！(shì o!) - That’s right!
- 哦，你也在這裡！(o, nǐ yě zài zhè lǐ!) - Oh, you’re here too!