什么意思
shén me yì si
To ask what do you mean? In Chinese, say 什么意思 (shén me yì si).
什么意思 asks someone to clarify what they are saying. Depending on your tone, it can be a genuine request for clarification or a sign that you feel offended, close to the English what are you implying.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is made of 什么, what and 意思, meaning. Literally it is what meaning.
Which one should you use?
Adding the subject 你, you, makes the question more direct and complete, as in 你是什么意思？ Adding 这话, these words, ties the question to what the other person just said: 你这话是什么意思？ 你这是什么意思呀? asks what the meaning behind something is.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the question is 你係咩意思?
How do you pronounce it?
什么意思 is pronounced shén me yì si in pinyin.
What mistakes should you avoid?
A short 什么意思 said sharply can sound confrontational. If you simply did not understand, a polite sentence that says you did not follow and asks for an explanation is safer.
Did you know?
- The term 意思 can also be used as a euphemism for a bribe or a 'hidden' payment in certain social or business settings.
- The word 意思 (yì si) is so versatile that it can mean 'a small token of appreciation' when giving a gift, or 'interest' when talking about a hobby.
- In some contexts, saying 没意思 (méi yì si), which literally means 'no meaning', is the standard way to describe something as boring.
Examples in context
- 你这话是什么意思？Nǐ zhè huà shì shénme yìsi?What do you mean by that?
- 对不起，我没明白，你是什么意思？Duìbuqǐ, wǒ méi míngbai, nǐ shì shénme yìsi?Sorry, I didn't understand, what do you mean?
- 这个单词是什么意思？Zhège dāncí shì shénme yìsi?What does this word mean?
Example conversation
A man is explaining a complex task to a woman in an office.
- 雨婷 Yuting我们需要重新调整这个计划。Wǒmen xūyào chóngxīn tiáozhěng zhège jìhuà.We need to readjust this plan.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你是什么意思？要全部推倒重做吗？Nǐ shì shénme yìsi? Yào quánbù tuīdǎo chóngzuò ma?What do you mean? Do we have to start over completely?
- 雨婷 Yuting不，只是修改最后一部分。Bù, zhǐshì xiūgǎi zuìhòu yībùfen.No, just modify the last part.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好的，我明白了。Hǎo de, wǒ míngbai le.Okay, I understand.
