What Is What In Chinese?

Introduction

If you’re interested in learning Chinese, you may have come across the word “what” and wondered what it means. In this article, we’ll explore the different ways “what” is used in Chinese and how to use it correctly.

What as a Question Word

In Chinese, “what” is often used as a question word, just like in English. For example, “你喜欢什么？” (nǐ xǐ huān shén me?) means “What do you like?”.

Using “What” with Verbs

When using “what” with verbs, you need to use the appropriate verb complement. For example, “你在干什么？” (nǐ zài gàn shén me?) means “What are you doing?”.

Using “What” with Nouns

When using “what” with nouns, you need to use the appropriate measure word. For example, “你要买什么书？” (nǐ yào mǎi shén me shū?) means “What book do you want to buy?”.

What as a Pronoun

In Chinese, “what” can also be used as a pronoun to replace a noun. For example, “我想要吃什么，但我不知道吃什么好。” (wǒ xiǎng yào chī shén me, dàn wǒ bù zhī dào chī shén me hǎo.) means “I want to eat something, but I don’t know what to eat.”.

Using “What” as an Adverb

In Chinese, “what” can also be used as an adverb to express surprise or disbelief. For example, “什么！你要结婚了？” (shén me! nǐ yào jié hūn le?) means “What! You’re getting married?”.

What Else?

In addition to the different uses of “what” in Chinese, there are also other related words that you may come across. For example, “哪个” (nǎ ge) means “which one” and “谁” (shéi) means “who”.

Using “What Else” in Chinese

If you want to ask “what else” in Chinese, you can use the phrase “还有什么” (hái yǒu shén me). For example, “你还要买什么？” (nǐ hái yào mǎi shén me?) means “What else do you want to buy?”.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “what” is an important word in Chinese that can be used in various ways. By understanding these different uses, you’ll be able to better communicate and understand Chinese. So keep practicing and learning, and soon you’ll be a pro at using “what” in Chinese!