HSK 2
用“好吗、可以吗、行吗、怎么样”提问
yòng “ hǎo ma 、 kě yǐ ma 、 xíng ma 、 zěn me yàng ” tí wèn
Using '好吗、可以吗、行吗、怎么样' to ask for opinions
Explanation
This is a way to politely ask for an opinion or permission by adding 好吗/可以吗/行吗/怎么样 to the end of a proposal.
[Proposal/suggestion] + 好吗/可以吗/行吗/怎么样? The first part states what you want to do, and the ending is a question phrase to ask for agreement. 吗 (ma) is a modal particle (a function word placed at the end of the sentence to indicate sentence type) that forms a question.
When inviting, proposing, or asking permission and wanting to know whether the other person agrees. 好吗 (hǎo ma) / 行吗 (xíng ma) = okay? (asking for agreement after a proposal); 可以吗 (kěyǐ ma) = is it allowed? (leaning toward asking permission); 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) = how about it? (asking an opinion on a suggestion).
好吗/行吗/可以吗 expect an answer of "agree/disagree" (好/行/可以 or 不行); whereas 怎么样 invites the other person to give a comment or evaluation rather than just yes/no.
Vietnamese learners often place these question phrases at the head of the sentence. They must go at the END of the sentence, after the proposal. Also, 怎么样 is itself a question, so do NOT add 吗 (you don't say 怎么样吗).
Examples
Let's set out at 8 o'clock tomorrow, okay?
Come a little earlier tomorrow, is that okay?
Lend me your dictionary to use for a bit, okay?
Let's eat noodles today, how about it?
Practice
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Learn “用“好吗、可以吗、行吗、怎么样”提问” effectively
The grammar point “用“好吗、可以吗、行吗、怎么样”提问” (Using '好吗、可以吗、行吗、怎么样' to ask for opinions) is one of the key structures at HSK 2. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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