Chinese word

在吗

Pronunciation

Pinyinzài ma

Meaning

  • interjectionare you there

Example

在吗，我可以跟你说话吗？zài ma wǒ ké yǐ gēn nǐ shuō huà ma

Are you there? Can I talk to you?

Illustration for 在吗 (are you there)

More examples

群里有人在吗？我想问一下作业的问题。qún lǐ yǒu rén zài ma wǒ xiǎng wèn yí xià zuò yè de wèn tí

Is anyone in the group there? I have a question about the homework.

Core concept

A quick check that someone is present before a conversation begins.

Common phrases

  • 群里有人在吗？qún lǐ yǒu rén zài ma

    Is anyone in the group there

  • 老师在吗？lǎo shī zài ma

    Is the teacher there

  • 你现在在吗？nǐ xiàn zài zài ma

    Are you there now

Similar words

在不在zài bú zài: A brief question about whether someone is around or present.
有人吗yǒu rén ma: A brief call asking whether anyone is present in a place or group.
忙吗máng ma: A brief question about whether someone is free to talk before starting a conversation.
喂wèi: A brief call used to get someone's attention or open a conversation.

Definition in Chinese

常单独作为开场白，用来引起对方注意并简单确认其是否在线或在场的口语用语。cháng dān dú zuò wéi kāi chǎng bái yòng lái yín qǐ duì fāng zhù yì bìng jiǎn dān què rèn qí shì fǒu zài xiàn huò zài chǎng de kóu yǔ yòng yǔ

Word origin

在吗 (zàima, "are you there") is formed from 在 (zài, "be present") and 吗 (ma, "question particle"), making a short question whose subject is understood from context.

Usage tips

  • In a chat, a standalone 在吗 (zàima, "are you there") can sound like a request for an immediate reply, so adding the topic helps set the right expectation.

Other meanings

  • are you aroundinterjection
  • are you onlineinterjection

Word lists with this word