啊 (a)1: One Tiny 啊(A) Makes Chinese Sound Alive #mandarin

[00:00:00]Do you know how to say "Wow, you're so beautiful" in Chinese? We say "Nǐ zhēn piàoliang a." See that last word, a? It doesn't have a fixed meaning on its own.

[00:00:12]It's called a mood particle, and it's what makes the whole sentence come alive. Here are four ways to use it.

[00:00:19]First, at the end of an exclamation, a makes the feeling stronger. "Nǐ zhēn piàoliang." That's just a statement. "Nǐ zhēn piàoliang a." Now it feels like, "Wow, you're so beautiful."

[00:00:33]Or "Jīntiān tiānqì zhēn hǎo a." "What a beautiful day."

[00:00:38]Second, at the end of a statement, a can show that you are reacting, like agreeing, realizing, or suddenly getting it.

[00:00:48]"Nǐ shuō de yǒu dàolǐ a."

[00:00:50]"Oh, you've got a point."

[00:00:52]"Yuánlái shì zhèyàng a."

[00:00:54]"Ah, so that's how it is."

[00:00:57]It makes you sound warm, not flat.

[00:01:00]Third, after an imperative, a adds urgency, care, or emotion. So, it sounds like you really mean it. Like, "Xiǎoxīn a." "Be careful." "Kuài diǎn a." "Hurry up." "Nǐ yīdìng yào lái a." "Make sure you come."

[00:01:19]Fourth, at the end of a question, a often makes it sound more casual and friendly, not like an interrogation.

[00:01:29]"Nǐ qù nǎr a?"

[00:01:30]"Where are you going?" "Tā shénme shíhou lái a?" "So, when is he coming?"

[00:01:35]So, that's a. It can help you exclaim, react, urge, and soften your tone.

[00:01:43]Oh, and one secret, you may also see ya, wa, or na at the end of a sentence. No worries, they are often just a changing its sound because of the word before it.

[00:01:57]So, why does it change? When does it change?

[00:02:01]Follow me on Mandarin. I'll show you next time.