Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “what” in Chinese. Whether you are a beginner learning the basics or a language enthusiast looking to expand your vocabulary, this guide will provide you with the formal and informal ways to express “what” in Mandarin Chinese. We will also highlight any regional variations when necessary. So, let’s dive in and explore the various ways to say “what” in Chinese!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “What” in Chinese
In formal Chinese settings, such as business meetings, official events, or when addressing elders, it is important to use the appropriate level of respect. Here are some formal ways to say “what” in Chinese:
Vocabulary and Examples:
- 什么 (shénme) – This is the most common and general word for “what” in Chinese. It can be used to ask questions about objects, subjects, events, or actions. For example:
你要做什么？(Nǐ yào zuò shénme?) – What do you want to do?
- 何事 (héshì) – This formal term is used when asking about important matters or significant events. For instance:
您找我有何事？(Nín zhǎo wǒ yǒu héshì?) – What can I do for you?
- 何处 (héchù) – When asking about a specific location or place, “何处” is commonly used. For example:
你在何处工作？(Nǐ zài héchù gōngzuò?) – Where do you work?
Informal Ways to Say “What” in Chinese
In informal situations, such as casual conversations with friends, family members, or peers, you can use more colloquial expressions to say “what.” Here are some informal ways to express “what” in Mandarin Chinese:
Vocabulary and Examples:
- 啥 (shá) – This is a commonly used colloquial term for “what” in Chinese. It is especially popular in northern China. For example:
你在干啥？(Nǐ zài gàn shá?) – What are you doing?
- 什么东西 (shénme dōngxi) – When you want to emphasize the “thing” aspect, you can use this phrase, which translates to “what thing.” For instance:
你买了什么东西？(Nǐ mǎi le shénme dōngxi?) – What did you buy?
- 咋回事 (zǎ huíshì) – This expression is commonly used to ask what’s going on or why something happened. It is often used in informal conversations. For example:
昨天咋回事？(Zuótiān zǎ huíshì?) – What happened yesterday?
Regional Variations
While Mandarin Chinese is the official language in China and Taiwan, there are regional variations and dialects that may influence the way “what” is expressed in different areas. Here, we’ll briefly touch upon a few examples:
Regional Vocabulary Examples:
- In southern China and parts of Southeast Asia, the colloquial expression 咩 (miē) is often used instead of 啥 (shá) to mean “what.”
- In some parts of Taiwan, the term 乜 (mǐe) is used as a colloquial variation of 什么 (shénme).
- In the Sichuan province, locals may use 嘎嘎 (gā gā) as a variation of 啥 (shá) or 什么 (shénme).
Final Tips and Examples:
Now that we have covered the formal, informal, and regional ways to say “what” in Chinese, here are some additional tips and examples to help you further:
- When asking “what is this?” you can use 这是什么？(zhè shì shénme?) or the more casual 这是啥？(zhè shì shá?)
- If you want to ask “what’s your name?” in Chinese, you would say 你叫什么名字？(Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?)
- When someone tells you something you didn’t catch, you can ask “what did you say?” using 你说什么？(Nǐ shuō shénme?) or the more casual 你说啥？(Nǐ shuō shá?)
- To inquire about the price of something, you can ask “what’s the price?” using 价格多少？(jiàgé duōshǎo?) or the abbreviated form 多少钱？(duōshǎo qián?)
Remember, tone and context are vital when using these expressions. Pay attention to the formality of the situation and adjust your language accordingly. Practice these phrases with native speakers or language exchange partners to enhance your conversational skills.
That wraps up our comprehensive guide on how to say “what” in Chinese. We have explored formal and informal ways, touched upon regional variations, and provided tips and examples to help you on your language learning journey. Keep up the great work, and soon you’ll be confidently using these expressions in various Chinese-speaking environments. Happy learning!
