Learn Hardcore Chinese: Wǒmen mǎshàng liànxí ba, nín juéde zhèyàng gèng hǎo ma? - Let’s practice right away; do you think this is better?

吧 softens the statement into a suggestion, roughly “let’s …” or “why don’t we …”. Without 吧, 我们马上练习 can sound like a more direct instruction. 吧 here does not make a question; it signals a friendly, non-forceful proposal.

Why is 吗 at the end of the second clause? Can a sentence have both 吧 and 吗?

吗 turns a statement into a yes–no question: 您觉得这样更好吗？ = “Do you think this is better?” It’s fine to have 吧 at the end of one clause and 吗 at the end of another, as in this two‑clause utterance. You just shouldn’t stack them at the end of the same clause.

Is it okay to use 您 with 我们? Am I mixing levels of formality?

It’s fine. 您 is a polite “you,” showing respect to the addressee. 我们 simply means “we.” Using 您 keeps a respectful tone while still making an inclusive suggestion. This mix is common and natural.

Should I use 咱们 instead of 我们 when I mean “you and I”?

咱们 explicitly includes the listener (“we, including you”) and is common in northern colloquial Mandarin. 我们 is neutral and can be inclusive or exclusive depending on context. In a suggestion like this, both are acceptable; 我们 is safer and more general, 咱们 sounds a bit more conversational.

What’s the nuance of 马上? Is it the same as 现在?

马上: “right away/at once,” very soon after speaking; often implies urgency.
现在: “now/at present,” focuses on the current time. You can combine for emphasis: 现在就/马上就 (e.g., 我们马上就练习吧) to mean “right this minute.”

Do I need 就 after 马上 (我们马上就练习吧)?

Not required, but 就 adds emphasis on immediacy/quick follow‑through. Both 我们马上练习吧 and 我们马上就练习吧 are natural; the latter sounds a bit more immediate.

Is 练习 a verb or a noun here? Would 练习一下 or 练一练 sound better?

Here 练习 is a verb (“to practice”). To soften the suggestion, you can say:

我们马上练习一下吧 (practice a bit)
我们马上练一练吧 (verb reduplication, casual and friendly) All are natural; the versions with 一下/一练 feel gentler.

How does 更 work in 这样更好? Do I need to say “than X”?

更 + adjective means “even more / -er.” The comparison target is often implied by context. Here “better than the other way/time we had in mind” is understood. If you drop 更 (这样好), you’re asking “Is it good like this?” rather than “Is it better (than before)?”

What’s the difference between 更好, 比较好, and 最好?

更好: “better,” explicit comparative (than something).
比较好: “relatively/pretty good” in many contexts; sometimes “better,” but vaguer/softer.
最好: “best,” the superlative; also used as advice (“it’s best to …”). Choose 更好 when you mean a clear comparison.

Why use 觉得 instead of 认为?

觉得: “to feel/think,” subjective impression; the most common in conversation.
认为: “to believe/hold the opinion,” more formal/analytical. In a polite, conversational question about preference, 您觉得 is the natural choice.

Where should 马上 go? Can I say 马上我们练习吧?

Default placement is Subject + adverbial + verb: 我们马上练习吧. Fronting for emphasis is possible: 马上我们练习吧, but it’s less neutral and more rhetorical. You can also say 我们马上就开始练习吧 to sound a touch more formal/natural.

Can I replace 这样 with 这么 or 这样子?

Yes, with nuance:

这样: “this way/like this,” neutral, common in both speech and writing.
这么: more colloquial, often for degree (“so/this [much]”); can also mean “like this.”
这样子: colloquial, slightly longer; similar to 这样. All three can fit here; 这样 is the safest.

Could I ask for agreement more directly with 好吗 instead of 您觉得…吗?

Yes: 我们马上练习，好吗？ asks for consent (“okay?”). 您觉得这样更好吗？ asks for evaluation (“do you think this way is better?”). Pick based on whether you want permission/consent or an opinion/comparison.

Is the comma after 吧 correct, or should there be a period?

Both are seen in informal text. Formally, many would write two sentences: 我们马上练习吧。您觉得这样更好吗？ In casual writing or transcripts, a comma is fine to show the flow of one spoken turn with two clauses.

Any pronunciation pitfalls here (tones, sandhi, neutral tone)?

Neutral tones: 吧 ba, 吗 ma, and the de in 觉得 are neutral.
Third‑tone sandhi: 我们 wǒmen followed by 马上 mǎshàng makes wǒ → rising (wó): wómen mǎshàng.
A natural flow: “Wómen mǎshàng liànxí ba, nín juéde zhèyàng gèng hǎo ma?”

How else could I phrase the second question?

您觉得这样好吗？ (drops the comparison)
您觉得这样会更好吗？ (adds a sense of likelihood)
这样更好，对吗？ (seeks confirmation)
这样更好，您觉得呢？ (statement + invite opinion)

Is there a common mix‑up between 练习 and another similar word?

Yes. Don’t confuse:

练习 liànxí = to practice; practice (n.)
联系 liánxì = to contact; connection They sound similar but differ in tones and meaning.