📝 Mastering “什么” (shénme) – The Essential Chinese Question Word

Ever wondered how to say “What is this?” or “What are you doing?” in Chinese?

The magic question word is 什么 (shénme) — your go-to for asking about things and actions.

Let’s make it super simple. 👇

🪄 What is 什么 (shénme)?

In Mandarin Chinese, 什么 (shénme) means “what”.

It’s used to ask about:

• Things (What is it?)

• Actions (What are you doing?)

• Details (What’s your name?)

🧱 Sentence Structure

Key Rule: In Chinese, 什么 (shénme) usually follows the verb when asking about an action or object.

Basic patterns:

Subject + Verb + 什么 (shénme)?

Subject + Verb + 什么 (shénme) + Noun?

💡 Examples

1.

这是什么？

(Zhè shì shénme?)

→ What is this?

2.

他买了什么？

(Tā mǎi le shénme?)

→ What did he buy?

3.

你在做什么？

(nǐ zài zuò shénme?)

→ What are you doing?

4.

你喜欢什么书？

(nǐ xǐhuan shénme shū?)

→ What books do you like?

📝 Practice Time!

Put 什么 in the right place:

1. 你/ 什么 / 买 / 想 

2. 书 / 什么 / 你 / 喜欢

3. 什么 / 这 / 是 

✅ Answers:

1.

你想买什么？

(Nǐ xiǎng mǎi shénme?)

→ What do you want to buy?

2.

你喜欢什么书？ 

(nǐ xǐhuān shénme shū?)

→ What books do you like?

3.

这是什么？

(Zhè shì shénme?)

→ What is this?

⚠️ Common Mistake

❌ 什么你想买？(Shénme nǐ xiǎng mǎi?) – ❌ Wrong order!

✅ Always put 什么 after the verb when asking about an action or object.

🎯 Quick Tip to Remember

Think of 什么 like “thing” you want to find out:

• 我在找 什么 → What am I looking for?

If you’re stuck, just remember: Verb + 什么 is your friend.

🚀 Your Turn! Try It in Real Life

What’s one thing you want to ask “What” about today?

Say it in Chinese with 什么!

Example:

• 你在写什么？(Nǐ zài xiě shénme?) – What are you writing?

• 你在想什么？ (nǐ zài xiǎng shénme?) – What are you thinking about?

Say it to a friend or out loud — practice makes perfect! 💪

🌟 Want step-by-step guidance?

👉 Check out my course: Mandarin Chinese Grammar Masterclass.

👉 Explore the full blog series: Chinese Grammar Made Easy.