The modal particle 呢 (2)
In Chinese, 呢 (ne) comes at the end of a sentence to underline a situation that is already established or confirmed.
In this use 呢 asks nothing; it gently emphasises what the sentence says.
Basic structure
Sentence + 呢
In English, depending on the situation:
… you know
… after all
… actually.
我明天下午两点还上课呢。
I still have class at two tomorrow afternoon, you know.
Structure
我 + 明天下午两点 + 还上课 + 呢
I + at 2 pm tomorrow + still have class + emphasis
我I
明天下午两点at two tomorrow afternoon
还still
上课have class
呢underlines the situation
妹妹会做两个菜呢。
My younger sister can cook two dishes, you know.
Structure
妹妹 + 会做两个菜 + 呢
younger sister + can cook two dishes + emphasis
妹妹younger sister
会做can cook
两个菜two dishes
呢underlines the fact
李文晚上还有事呢。
Li Wen still has things to do this evening, you know.
Structure
李文 + 晚上 + 还有事 + 呢
Li Wen + in the evening + still has things to do + emphasis
李文Li Wen
晚上in the evening
还still
有事have things to do
呢underlines a known fact
The rule in short
Sentence + 呢
Meaning:
it underlines a situation that is established or confirmed.
Examples:
我明天下午两点还上课呢。
I still have class at two tomorrow, you know.
妹妹会做两个菜呢。
My younger sister can cook two dishes, you know.
李文晚上还有事呢。
Li Wen still has things to do this evening, you know.