How to mark a topic in Chinese with 嘛 (ma)
Topic + 嘛 (ma), Comment
嘛 (má) — marking a topic
Topic + 嘛 (ma), Comment
HSK 5Particles嘛 (má) — marking a topic
Rule structure
嘛 (ma) is a topic marker that softens the topic and implies obviousness or expectation. It is a modal particle, not to be confused with 吗 (ma), the question particle.
Rule structure
嘛 (ma) is a topic marker that softens the topic and implies obviousness or expectation. It is a modal particle, not to be confused with 吗 (ma), the question particle.
Examples
这件事嘛，我觉得不难。
Zhè jiàn shì ma, wǒ juéde bù nán.
As for this matter, I think it’s not difficult.
Examples
这件事嘛，我觉得不难。
Zhè jiàn shì ma, wǒ juéde bù nán.
As for this matter, I think it’s not difficult.
Build the sentence
Drag the characters to put them in the correct order
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “marking a topic” in Chinese with 嘛?
Use the structure: Topic + 嘛 (ma), Comment. For example: 这件事嘛，我觉得不难。 — “As for this matter, I think it’s not difficult.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
这件事嘛，我觉得不难。 — “As for this matter, I think it’s not difficult.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 5 grammar rules
了 — sentence-final after verb + object
Verb + Object + 了 (le)
了 — completed action with complement
Verb + Complement + 了 (le) + (Obj.)
呢 — softening questions
Question Word + 呢 (ne)?
坏了 — extremely, awfully
Verb / Adj. + 坏了 (huàile)
万一 — what if
万一 (wànyī) + (Undesirable) Condition + 怎么办 (zěnme bàn)？
就是 — even if…
就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯，也 (yě)⋯⋯
还…呢 — still in progress
Subj. + 还 (hái) + Predicate + 呢 (ne)
有关的 — related to…
跟 (gēn) / 和 (hé) / 与 (yǔ) + Noun + 有关的 (yǒuguān de) + Noun