pronoun HSK 1
Traditional 什麼
what · something · anything
Meaning
This is one of the most fundamental question words in Mandarin, used to ask 'what' in virtually all contexts. It can also be used in statements to mean 'something' or 'anything' when used in non-question contexts.
Usage
Native speakers use this constantly in daily conversation. In questions, it typically appears where the unknown information would be (e.g., 你吃什么？'What are you eating?'). In casual speech, it's often pronounced 'shém me' or even reduced further. Can also express surprise or dismissiveness depending on tone.
Examples
- 01你在做什么？?What are you doing?
- 02我什么都不知道。.I don't know anything.
Characters
Common collocations
- 什么时候when; what time
- 为什么why
- 什么地方what place; where
- 没什么it's nothing; never mind
Origin
The character 什 originally meant 'ten' or 'assorted things', while 么 is a diminutive suffix. Together they formed a question word meaning 'which thing' that evolved into the general 'what'.