Chinese · Question Words
shénme
What
Used to ask about a thing.
这是什么?
What is this?
'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.
'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.