The modal particle 呢 (1)

In Chinese, 呢 (ne) comes at the end of a sentence and asks a question that leans on the topic or situation already named.

Typically one speaker says something about themselves and then asks 你呢？ — the same question back.

In English it is usually rendered as “and you?” or “what about you?”.

Basic structure

A……，B呢？

Meaning: A …, and B?

我(Wǒ)有(yǒu)两(liǎng)个(ge)哥(gē)哥(ge)，你(nǐ)呢(ne)？

I have two older brothers, and you?

我有两个哥哥 + 你呢？ I have two older brothers + and you?

我(wǒ)I

有(yǒu)have

两(liǎng)个(ge)哥(gē)哥(ge)two older brothers

你(nǐ)呢(ne)？and you?

Here 呢 puts the same question to the other person.

我(Wǒ)叫(jiào)白(Bái)家(Jiā)月(yuè)，你(nǐ)呢(ne)？

My name is Bai Jiayue, and you?

我叫白家月 + 你呢？ my name is Bai Jiayue + and you?

我(wǒ)叫(jiào)白(Bái)家(Jiā)月(yuè)my name is Bai Jiayue

你(nǐ)呢(ne)？and you?

The question in full here means:

你(Nǐ)叫(jiào)什(shén)么(me)？

What is your name?

But since the topic is already clear, one simply says 你呢？

我(Wǒ)是(shì)中(Zhōng)国(guó)人(rén)，你(nǐ)呢(ne)？

I'm Chinese, and you?

我是中国人 + 你呢？ I'm Chinese + and you?

我(wǒ)是(shì)中(Zhōng)国(guó)人(rén)I'm Chinese

你(nǐ)呢(ne)？and you?

Here 呢 asks where the other person is from.

A……，B呢？

Meaning: asking the same question about B without repeating the topic already named.

Examples:

我(Wǒ)有(yǒu)两(liǎng)个(ge)哥(gē)哥(ge)，你(nǐ)呢(ne)？

I have two older brothers, and you?

我(Wǒ)叫(jiào)白(Bái)家(Jiā)月(yuè)，你(nǐ)呢(ne)？

My name is Bai Jiayue, and you?

我(Wǒ)是(shì)中(Zhōng)国(guó)人(rén)，你(nǐ)呢(ne)？

I'm Chinese, and you?