HSK Level 3

干吗

gàn má

why

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Example Sentences

你干吗老是盯着我看?

nǐ gànmá lǎoshì dīngzhe wǒ kàn?

Why do you always stare at me?

你干吗不说话?

nǐ gànmá bù shuōhuà?

Why don't you speak?

你干吗要走?

nǐ gànmá yào zǒu?

Why are you leaving?

Synonyms

干嘛 (gàn ma)

What are you doing?

干什么 (gàn shén me)

What are you doing?

Antonyms

不必 (bì bù)

need not

不要 (bù yào)

don't

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 干吗 (gàn ma) is a versatile phrase that can be used in a variety of situations. It can be used as a question to ask someone what they are doing, or as an exclamation to express surprise or annoyance. The word 干吗 is composed of two characters: 干 (gàn), which means "to do" or "to act", and 吗 (ma), which is a question particle. The character 吗 is often used at the end of a sentence to turn it into a question.The word 干吗 has a long history in the Chinese language. It is believed to have originated in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), when it was used as a way to ask someone what they were doing. Over time, the word 干吗 has come to be used in a wider variety of situations. It can now be used to express surprise, annoyance, or even anger.The word 干吗 is a useful addition to any HSK learner's vocabulary. It is a versatile phrase that can be used in a variety of situations. By understanding the etymology of the word 干吗, HSK learners can gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese language and culture.