Breakdown of Wǒmen míngtiān zài bā diǎn bàn kāihuì, nín tóngyì zhè gè ānpái ma?
吗ma
question particle
这zhè
this
个gè
noun classifier
Used when counting nouns or when specifying a specific instance of a noun.
There are also classifiers for people, for bound items such as books and magazines, for cups/glasses, etc.
The classifier 个 is a general one that can be used for any of these.
我们wǒmen
we
在zài
at
明天míngtiān
tomorrow
您nín
you (polite)
八bā
eight
点diǎn
o'clock classifier
半bàn
half
开会kāihuì
to have a meeting
同意tóngyì
to agree
安排ānpái
arrangement
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Questions & Answers about Wǒmen míngtiān zài bā diǎn bàn kāihuì, nín tóngyì zhè gè ānpái ma?
What does the particle 在 do before 八点半, and is it required?
Here 在 means at (a time). It’s optional with clock times, so both 我们明天在八点半开会 and 我们明天八点半开会 are natural. Using 在 is very common in speech; dropping it is slightly crisper and a bit more common in writing.
Can I put 在 before 明天 (e.g., 在明天八点半开会)?
Normally no. With day words like 今天/明天/星期三/明年, you usually don’t add 在. Say 我们明天八点半开会 (or 我们明天在八点半开会). You’ll see 在明天 in more formal or modifying phrases, e.g., 在明天的会议上 or the formal 于明天.
What’s the preferred word order for the time and place?
Typical order is Subject + Time + Place + Verb-Object. For example: 我们明天八点半在会议室开会. You can also front the time for emphasis: 明天八点半我们在会议室开会. Avoid putting the time after the verb.
Is 开会 a verb, or do I need to say “have a meeting” another way?
开会 is a verb-object compound meaning to hold/have a meeting and needs no extra object. You can also say 开一个会 (have a meeting) or, more formally, 举行会议. 有一个会议 means there is a meeting (existence), not that you’re holding it.
Does 八点半 need 分 or 点钟?
No. 八点半 alone is standard for 8:30. More formal is 八点三十分 (often with the optional 分). Don’t say 八点半钟; use 点钟 only for whole hours (e.g., 八点钟).
How do I specify morning or evening 8:30?
Add a part-of-day: 明天上午八点半 (8:30 a.m.) or 明天晚上八点半 (8:30 p.m.). The usual order is day/part-of-day before the clock time.
Why use 您 instead of 你 here?
您 is the polite form of you, used for respect (to clients, seniors, strangers). Mixing 我们 with 您 is fine: you’re politely addressing the other party about our plan. Avoid 您们; to address a group politely, use 各位 or simply plural 你们 in many contexts.
Is the final 吗 just a yes–no question marker? Are there other options?
Yes. 吗 makes a neutral yes–no question: 您同意这个安排吗？ Alternatives:
- 您同不同意这个安排？ (A–not–A pattern, a bit more direct)
- 您是否同意这个安排？ (formal)
- Softer: 您看可以吗？/ 方便吗？/ 合适吗？
Does Chinese mark future tense here? Why no 会 or 要?
Chinese doesn’t require tense marking. The time word 明天 already places it in the future. You can add 要 (plan/intention) or 会 (prediction): 我们明天八点半要/会开会, but they’re optional.
What’s the exact usage of 同意? Can it take different kinds of objects?
同意 means to agree/consent and can take:
- a noun phrase: 同意这个安排
- someone’s proposal/opinion: 同意您的建议
- a verb phrase: 同意参加.
For simply asking if something is acceptable, 可以/行/方便 often sound more listener-friendly.
If I disagree, should I say 我不同意 or 我没同意?
To express your stance, use 我不同意 (I don’t agree). 我没同意 refers to a past event of not giving consent at some point. Politer softening: 我不太同意 or 恐怕不行.
Can I drop the subject 我们?
Yes. Subjects are often omitted when clear from context: 明天八点半开会，您同意这个安排吗？ This sounds natural and concise.
Is the comma before the question okay in Chinese?
Yes. Chinese commonly links related clauses with a comma: statement/proposal first, then the question: …开会，您同意…吗？ A period is also fine if you want two sentences.
What about the measure word 个 in 这个安排? Are there alternatives?
个 is the default classifier and perfectly fine. In formal or written contexts, you may see 这项安排; 项 often pairs with plans, policies, projects.
Pronunciation tips: any tricky tones or common variants here?
- 开会 kāihuì (1st, 4th), 安排 ānpái (1st, 2nd), 同意 tóngyì (2nd, 4th), 点 diǎn (3rd), 半 bàn (4th), 在 zài (4th), 您 nín (2nd).
- 个 is often neutral tone after a demonstrative: zhè ge ānpái; colloquially 这 may be pronounced zhèi → zhèi ge.
- For negatives later: 不 changes to second tone only before a 4th-tone syllable (e.g., bú对). In 不同意, it stays bù because 同 is 2nd tone.
Is the 在 here the same as the progressive 在 (as in “be doing”)?
No. Here 在 introduces a time phrase (在八点半 = at 8:30). The progressive 在 comes directly before the verb phrase, e.g., 在开会 (be in a meeting), and has nothing to do with time marking.
How would I also mention the place elegantly?
Follow the typical order: 我们明天八点半在会议室开会，您同意这个安排吗？ You can also front the place if you want to emphasize it, but time-then-place is the default rhythm.
What are some equally natural alternatives to ask for approval?
- 我们明天八点半开会，您看可以吗？
- 我们明天八点半开会，方便吗？
- Formal: 我们拟定于明天八点半举行会议，您是否同意？
- With a BA-structure plan: 我们把会议安排在明天八点半，您看行吗？