Yes-No Questions Formed by Intonation in Chinese
用疑问语调表示疑问
A clause with ordinary declarative word order can function as a yes-no question when spoken with clear interrogative intonation. No 吗 is required, although context must make the questioning force recognizable. This pattern asks for confirmation of the whole proposition; it does not license scrambled word order or replace content-question words such as 谁 and 为什么.
Published August 15, 2026
Reviewed August 15, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Declarative Clause + Rising Question Intonation？
Read the structure
A clause with ordinary declarative word order can function as a yes-no question when spoken with clear interrogative intonation. No 吗 is required, although context must make the questioning force recognizable. This pattern asks for confirmation of the whole proposition; it does not license scrambled word order or replace content-question words such as 谁 and 为什么. Keep the model Declarative Clause + Rising Question Intonation？ visible while you compare each sentence.
今天是星期六？
Today is Saturday?
Choose the right context
Seek confirmation of a complete proposition in conversation. Keep normal declarative word order and signal the question through intonation. Use context when repeating or checking information the listener can confirm.
你打算去旅行？
You plan to travel?
Respect the boundary
Do not scramble declarative word order to create a question. Do not add 吗 to a clause already built as an affirmative-negative question. Do not replace a needed content-question pronoun with intonation alone.
今天星期六是？
(Today Saturday is?)
Repair the pattern
The copular sentence order is reversed: Intonation changes the sentence type but keeps the normal declarative order with 是 before its complement. The modal and main verb are reversed: Question intonation does not change the ordinary order of 打算 before the planned action.
今天是星期六？
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
今天是星期六？
Today is Saturday?
今天是
Declarative Clause
This part occupies the Declarative Clause position in the model pattern.
星期六
Rising Question Intonation？
This part occupies the Rising Question Intonation？ position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
今天是星期六？
Today is Saturday?
你打算去旅行？
You plan to travel?
他已经回家了？
He has already gone home?
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Seek confirmation of a complete proposition in conversation.
- Keep normal declarative word order and signal the question through intonation.
- Use context when repeating or checking information the listener can confirm.
Do not use it when
- Do not scramble declarative word order to create a question.
- Do not add 吗 to a clause already built as an affirmative-negative question.
- Do not replace a needed content-question pronoun with intonation alone.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
今天星期六是？
今天是星期六？
The copular sentence order is reversed
Intonation changes the sentence type but keeps the normal declarative order with 是 before its complement.
你去打算旅行？
你打算去旅行？
The modal and main verb are reversed
Question intonation does not change the ordinary order of 打算 before the planned action.
今天星期六是？
Intonation changes the sentence type but keeps the normal declarative order with 是 before its complement.
你去打算旅行？
Question intonation does not change the ordinary order of 打算 before the planned action.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 用疑问语调表示疑问.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 用疑问语调表示疑问. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Yes-No Questions Formed by Intonation Questions
Is 吗 required for every yes-no question?
No. Clear interrogative intonation can turn a declarative clause into a confirmation question without 吗.
Can intonation replace words such as 谁 or 为什么?
No. Those words identify the missing information in a content question. Intonation alone asks whether a whole proposition is true.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 3 item 【三78】, PDF p. 210 (printed p. 204)
Supports placement in HSK 3; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official source现代汉语语法课程讲义
包头师范学院 · 包头师范学院 · 2024
Locator: Interrogative sentence classification and intonation questions, course slides pp. 65-68
Explains that interrogative intonation can mark a yes-no question while the clause retains declarative syntax.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Continue learning
疑问句四类Four Basic Chinese Question Types
Place intonation-only confirmation inside the broader inventory of Mandarin interrogative sentence types.
Easy to confuse
陈述句Basic Declarative Sentences
The syntax remains declarative while interrogative intonation changes the utterance's communicative force.
Compare
吗吗 and A-not-A Questions
Compare intonation alone with overt 吗 and affirmative-negative yes-no question marking.
Compare
吧吧 for Suggestions and Confirmation
Distinguish neutral confirmation by intonation from a supposition or proposal colored by final 吧.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Continue learning
Place intonation-only confirmation inside the broader inventory of Mandarin interrogative sentence types.