| 1 | 的 | | de | de5 | of; ~'s (possessive particle); (used after an attribute); (used to form a nominal expression); (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis); also pr. [di4] or [di5] in poetry and songs | |
| 2 | 了 | | le | le5 | (completed action marker); (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now); (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) | |
| 3 | 吗 | 嗎 | ma | ma5 | (question particle for "yes-no" questions) | |
| 4 | 呢 | | ne | ne5 | particle indicating that a previously asked question is to be applied to the preceding word ("What about ...?", "And ...?"); particle for inquiring about location ("Where is ...?"); particle signaling a pause, to emphasize the preceding words and allow the listener time to take them on board ("ok?", "are you with me?"); (at the end of a declarative sentence) particle indicating continuation of a state or action; particle indicating strong affirmation | |