什么 (shén me): Translation, Pronunciation and Example Sentences

The Chinese word 什么 is a question word that means “what” in English. It is commonly used in Chinese to ask questions about things, objects, people, or situations. For example, you can use 什么 to ask “What is your name?” or “What do you want to eat?”. It is a basic and essential word in Chinese, and is commonly used in everyday conversation.

Translation

Pronoun: what

Pronunciation

Example Sentences

ChinesePinyinEngish
你喜欢吃什么?nǐ xǐhuān chī shénme?What do you like to eat?
这是什么颜色?zhè shì shénme yánsè?What color is this?
你在看什么书?nǐ zài kàn shénme shū?What book are you reading?
你想要什么礼物?nǐ xiǎng yào shénme lǐwù?What gift do you want?
你知道这是什么吗?nǐ zhīdào zhè shì shénme ma?Do you know what this is?
你可以告诉我你的名字是什么吗?nǐ kěyǐ gàosù wǒ nǐ de míngzì shì shénme ma?Can you tell me what your name is?
你为什么这么晚才回来?nǐ wèishénme zhème wǎn cái huílái?Why did you come back so late?
这是什么意思?zhè shì shénme yìsi?What does this mean?

HSK

什么 is part of HSK Level 1 in both HSK 2.0 and HSK 3.0.

Learning Card

Learning card for Chinese word 什么 with Pinyin and English Translation