Chinese · Question Words

什么

shénme

What

Beginnerpronoun

Definition

Used to ask about a thing.

Example

这是什么?

What is this?

Etymology

'什么' (shénme) combines '什' (what) and '么' (suffix for interrogatives), originating from ancient Chinese questioning forms. It serves as a fundamental interrogative in the language.

How & Where It’s Used

'什么' (shénme) is used in both formal and informal registers, frequently in spoken and written contexts as the first point of inquiry about objects or concepts.

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