What in Chinese: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Wondering how to use What in Chinese? This guide explains the meaning of 什么 (shénme), shows you how to pronounce and write it, and provides real-life sentence patterns, useful expressions, and common mistakes to avoid—perfect for any Mandarin learner.

I. What Does What in Chinese Mean?

In Mandarin Chinese, the word that corresponds to “what” in English is 什么 (shénme). This is one of the first and most essential question words learners encounter, especially when forming basic questions.

The character 什 (shén) by itself does not mean “what,” but when combined with 么 (me), the phrase 什么 takes on the meaning of:

• What
• Which thing
• Which kind

Depending on the sentence, the meaning may shift slightly between “what” and “which,” but the core idea remains the same—it's used to inquire about unknown objects, actions, reasons, or concepts.

For example:

• 这是什么？(Zhè shì shénme?) — What is this?
• 你在看什么？(Nǐ zài kàn shénme?) — What are you watching?

Writing and Pronunciation

• Pinyin: shénme
• Tone: shén (second tone) + me (neutral tone)
• Character breakdown:
  • 什 (shén): often used in interrogatives
  • 么 (me): an auxiliary character that helps form question words

When writing 什么 by hand, it's important to follow the correct stroke order for each component. Although 么 may appear visually simple, it has a specific construction and is often introduced early in character-writing practice.

Understanding 怎么写 (how to write) and 怎么读 (how to pronounce) 什么 builds a solid foundation not only for forming questions but also for recognizing question structures throughout your studies.

II. How to Use “What” (什么) in Chinese Sentences

While knowing that 什么 (shénme) means "what" is important, it's even more useful to understand how to use it in real-life communication. 什么 is extremely versatile and appears in many everyday sentence patterns used for asking questions, identifying objects, or seeking clarification.

Common Sentence Patterns Using 什么

One of the simplest and most essential sentence structures is:

[Subject] + [Verb] + 什么？

Examples:

• 你吃什么？ (Nǐ chī shénme?) – What are you eating?
• 他在说什么？ (Tā zài shuō shénme?) – What is he saying?
• 你想要什么？ (Nǐ xiǎng yào shénme?) – What do you want?

These sentences are direct and often used in both formal and informal contexts. 什么 almost always comes at the end of the clause, maintaining the subject-verb-object order typical in Mandarin.

You can also use 什么 in more complex constructions:

• 你最喜欢吃什么菜？ (Nǐ zuì xǐhuān chī shénme cài?) – What kind of dishes do you like most?
• 她买了什么东西？ (Tā mǎi le shénme dōngxi?) – What did she buy?

Useful Expressions and Collocations with 什么

什么 frequently appears in common phrases that go beyond simple questions:

• 没什么 (méi shénme) — It’s nothing / Never mind
• 什么意思？(shénme yìsi?) — What does it mean?
• 什么都可以 (shénme dōu kěyǐ) — Anything is fine / Whatever works
• 什么情况？(shénme qíngkuàng?) — What’s going on? (often informal)

Learning these set phrases can help you sound more natural and understand native speakers more easily, especially in informal speech.

什么 (shénme) vs. 何 (hé)

Although 何 also means "what" in Chinese, it's far less frequently used in modern conversation. You’re more likely to find 何 in:

• Classical Chinese
• Formal or literary expressions (e.g., 为何 = why; 何时 = when)
• Written language, newspaper headlines, or formal writing

In daily spoken Mandarin, 什么 is overwhelmingly preferred, so unless you're reading Classical texts or academic writing, it's best to focus on mastering 什么 first.

III. Variations and Colloquial Forms of “What”

While 什么 (shénme) is the standard way to say “what” in Mandarin, there are several informal, shortened, or regional ways that native speakers use in daily conversation. Understanding these variations can help you follow real-life spoken Chinese more naturally, especially among younger speakers or in casual settings.

Colloquial Alternatives to “什么”

These variants are primarily spoken. You will not usually see them in formal writing but may hear them in conversations, movies, or messaging. 

Fixed Colloquial Phrases with “什么”

These expressions reflect tone, emotion, and attitude, beyond dictionary definitions. They’re great reference points for listening practice or understanding casual Mandarin. 

IV. Related Chinese Question Words

To effectively ask questions in Chinese, you need to know more than just 什么 (shénme – what). Mandarin has a set of core question words that function similarly to English WH-words. Mastering these will help you unlock more sentence patterns and communicate with greater range.

Below is a summary table of the most essential Chinese question words:

Common Chinese Question Words

Note: Some of these words change pronunciation slightly depending on tone sandhi or regional usage (e.g. 谁 = shéi can also sound like shuí in formal or older usage).

Common Mistakes When Using “What” in Chinese

Even though 什么 (shénme) is a simple word, beginners often make subtle errors that lead to unnatural or incorrect phrasing. Below are some common mistakes and how to fix them:

Avoiding these errors will dramatically improve your fluency and help you form more natural-sounding questions in real-world conversations.

Learning how to use “what” in Chinese is a powerful first step toward asking better questions and having more dynamic conversations. So start practicing with 什么 today, explore other question words, and follow PREP for more tools to help you speak Mandarin with confidence.