Decoded Slug: 什么 (shénme) - What
Mandarin Grammar Point
什么 (shénme) - What
什么 (shénme) - What
Short explanation:
Used to ask about the identity or nature of something.
Formation:
Subject + Verb + 什么 + Rest of the sentence?
Examples:
你在看什么书？我在看一本关于中国历史的书。
Nǐ zài kàn shénme shū? Wǒ zài kàn yī běn guānyú Zhōngguó lìshǐ de shū.
What book are you reading? I'm reading a book about Chinese history.
他喜欢什么运动？他喜欢打篮球。
Tā xǐhuān shénme yùndòng? Tā xǐhuān dǎ lánqiú.
What sport does he like? He likes to play basketball.
你想要什么礼物？我想要一台新的电脑。
Nǐ xiǎngyào shénme lǐwù? Wǒ xiǎngyào yītái xīn de diànnǎo.
What gift do you want? I want a new computer.
她说了什么？她说她明天会晚点到。
Tā shuōle shénme? Tā shuō tā míngtiān huì wǎndiǎn dào.
What did she say? She said she will be a little late tomorrow.
Long explanation:
The Mandarin Chinese word '什么 (shénme)' is an interrogative pronoun often used to ask about someone or something's identity, nature, or characteristics. It is equivalent to asking 'what' in English. This word is commonly used in questions, and can also be used in negative sentences to express the lack or absence of something.