Chinese phrases
How to say what in Chinese
What in Chinese is 什么 (shén me). It goes where the answer goes, not at the start: 你喝什么? means “What would you like to drink?”
什么
what
The second syllable is light and short: shén me.
Ways to say what
什么
Everydaywhat
In almost every “what” question: 你喝什么?, “What would you like to drink?”
啥
With friendswhat
The same word in northern speech. Casual, and common in chats all over China: 吃啥?, “What shall we eat?”
什么意思
Everydaywhat does it mean?
To ask about a word or a sign. Point and say 这个是什么意思?
怎么了
Everydaywhat’s wrong?; what happened?
When someone looks upset, or when you hear a crash in the next room.
哪个
Everydaywhich one; what
When you choose from a set: 你要哪个?, “Which one do you want?”
多少
Everydaywhat number; how much
For a number: a price, a phone number, a room. 你的电话是多少?, “What’s your phone number?”
When you didn’t catch it
Said alone, 什么? can sound blunt, and said sharply it means “What?!”: surprise or disbelief. To ask someone to say it again, these are softer.
啊
huh?
The most natural reaction with friends. Say it with a rising voice.
你说什么
what did you say?
Fine with friends. With a stranger, put 不好意思 in front.
能再说一遍吗
could you say that again?
Polite. Good with a teacher, a clerk or on the phone.
Common mistakes
Putting 什么 first
Chinese keeps 什么 where the answer goes. You ask 你吃什么? because the answer is 我吃面条.
Translating “What happened?” word for word
什么发生了? is English word order. Say 怎么了? or 发生什么事了?
Saying 你什么意思 to ask about a word
你什么意思? means “What do you mean by that?” and sounds offended. To ask what a word means, point and say 这个是什么意思?
Making plans
晚上吃什么？
Qiqi: What shall we eat tonight?
啊？
Leon: Huh?
我说，晚上吃什么？
Qiqi: I said, what shall we eat tonight?
火锅怎么样？
Leon: How about hotpot?
好啊！
Qiqi: Sounds good!
More Chinese phrases
- What is this这是什么 · zhè shì shén me
- Why为什么 · wèi shén me
- How怎么 · zěn me
- Who谁 · shéi
- What does this mean这是什么意思 · zhè shì shén me yì si
- I don’t understand我听不懂 · wǒ tīng bu dǒng
