University of Cambridge Language Centre Chinese Intermediate

Use of question words when making statements

Question words are used in non-interrogative sentences to make a general or an indefinite reference.

The question word 什么 what is used:

  • after 没(有) 'to have not' to state that 'one has not (done) many/much'.

你应该没什么大问题，但是检查一下才放心。You will probably be all right (lit. you should not have big problems) but it is better to make sure.

我平时没有什么时间运动。I do not have much time to do sports.

我昨天没买什么，只是逛了逛。I didn't buy much yesterday, just took a stroll.

  • in conditional clauses to express the indefinite 'any'

你有什么需要（的话）打电话给我哦！If you need anything, just call me!

如果有什么问题，尽管问我。If there's any question, just ask me.

要是有什么人给我打电话，就说我不在。If anyone calls me, just say I'm not in.

  • before 都/也 to express some general reference as in 'everybody', 'anybody', 'everything', 'anything'

我现在什么都不想做，什么都不想吃。I don't want to do or eat anything at the moment.

我身上什么地方都疼。Everywhere on my body is painful.

这家医院什么设备都有。This hospital has all kinds of equipment.


Other question words such as 谁 who, 哪里 where, 哪 which, are used in the same way following the rules above.

没有谁买得起这个！Nobody can afford this!

如果我哪里做得不对，请多多包涵。If there's anywhere that I don't do well, please forgive me.

这里的书他哪本都看过。He's read all the books here. (lit. The books here, he's read whichever one.)

Interpretation of 什么

Click on the audio button to hear each sentence including the use of 什么 and select the correct interpretation. You can click on the 帮助 button to access each sentence's transcript. Check your answers.

hint 1

1.

He doesn't want anything.
He wants everything.
What does he want?

他什么都要。

hint 2

2.

They don't want anything.
They want everything.
What do they want?

他们都要什么？

hint 3

3.

Everyone likes him.
He likes everyone.
Who will like him?

谁会喜欢他？

hint 4

4.

Everyone likes him.
He likes everyone.
Who will like him?

谁都喜欢他。

hint 5

5.

She didn't buy much stuff.
She does not have much stuff.
What did she buy?

她没有买什么东西。

hint 6

6.

She didn't buy much stuff.
She does not have much stuff.
What did she buy?

她买了什么东西？

hint 7

7.

If anything happens, what shall I do?
What will happen and what shall I do?
What happened? What shall I do?

要是出什么事，我该怎么办？

hint 8

8.

If anything happens, what shall I do?
What will happen and what shall I do?
What happened? What shall I do?

出什么事了？我该怎么办？

hint 9

9.

If you want to go anywhere, just let me know.
Where do you want to go? Tell me.
Tell me about all the places you want to go to.

如果你想去哪儿，就告诉我。

hint 10

10.

If you want to go anywhere, just let me know.
Where do you want to go? Tell me.
Tell me about all the places you want to go to.

你想去哪儿？告诉我吧。

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