Definitions
(particle)
suffix used in question words and expressions of degree
(particle)
interrogative final particle
(particle)
exclamatory final particle
(adjective)
tiny; insignificant
Etymology
Variant form of 幺, which is a pictograph of a twisted thread.
About
The character "么" derives from the character "幺" meaning small or minute, and it historically served as a variant or abbreviated form of the traditional character "麼", which is constructed from the components "麻" above "幺" to convey notions of fine detail or triviality. Initially associated with concepts of slightness, "么" gradually lost its lexical meaning and evolved into a grammatical particle, functioning primarily as a suffix in words like "什么" and "怎么" where it contributes no independent semantics but instead helps form interrogatives or demonstratives. Its simplified structure, contrasted with the multi-component "麼", aligns with its modern role as a phonetic element in these common grammatical constructs.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
你叫什么名字？
你怎么去学校？
那么我们就走吧。
你想吃什么水果？
我怎么知道这件事？
天空那么蓝那么美。
我没有什么钱。
你怎么能这样说话？