你需要什么？
nǐ xūyào shénme?
The English phrase "what do you need?" is translated into Chinese as 你需要什么？ (nǐ xūyào shénme?)
This phrase is used as a question to ask someone what items or assistance they require.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of three parts: 你 (nǐ), meaning "you". 需要 (xūyào), meaning "to need" or "to require". And 什么 (shénme), meaning "what".
How does it change in a sentence?
Replacing 你 (nǐ) with 您 (nín) makes the question more polite and respectful.
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ xūyào shénme?
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the object of 'need' always follows the verb, meaning the word order for 'what do you need?' is identical to the statement 'you need what'.
- The word 什么 (shénme) can be used as an indefinite pronoun, meaning 'something' or 'anything', not just 'what'.
- In a restaurant or shop, a clerk might ask 你要什么? (nǐ yào shénme?) instead of using 需要 (xūyào). While it literally translates to 'what do you want?', it is the standard way to ask for an order.
Examples in context
- 你需要什么？Nǐ xūyào shénme?What do you need?
Example conversation
A man is helping a woman in an office.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，你需要什么？Xiǎowén, nǐ xūyào shénme?Xiaowen, what do you need?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我需要一支笔。Wǒ xūyào yī zhī bǐ.I need a pen.
- 伟 Wei好的，给你。Hǎo de, gěi nǐ.Okay, here you go.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢你，伟。Xièxiè nǐ, Wěi.Thank you, Wei.
