Pinyin "ma5"

In MandarinBanana's mnemonic system, the Pinyin syllable "ma5" is split up into two parts: "m" and "a5". You can visit the Pinyin index to see how other Pinyin syllables are split up into initials and finals.

Mnemonics for Pinyin initial "m"

M is for Mahatma Gandhi.

Mnemonics for Pinyin final "a5"

On the ashram's roof.

Characters pronounced ma5

么

麼

ma = m + a5

interrogative final particle

吗

嗎

ma = m + a5

(question particle for "yes-no" questions)

吗 = 口 + 马 : On the ashram, Mahatma Gandhi asks the unicorn if he can eat its mandarin.

嘛

ma = m + a5

modal particle indicating that sth is obvious / particle indicating a pause for emphasis

嘛 = 口 + 麻 : Mahatma Gandhi (m) retreated to the top of the ashram (a5) to start another hunger strike. Soon the 喇嘛 climbs to the top as well using a hemp (麻) rope, hands him a mandarin (口) and asks him what the hell he is doing (干嘛).