Challenging an adjective with "shenme"
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Adding 什么 (shénme) after an adjective can be used to form a rhetorical question. The speaker is implying that there's no good reason to be [adjective].
Structure
Adj. + 什么 (+ Adj.) (+ 啊 / 呀) ？
Note that in this pattern, adjectives and psychological verbs both work equally well. We haven't distinguished between the two in the examples below, but that shouldn't present any problems.
Examples
- 胖 什么 胖 啊，在 北方，这样的 人 很 常见。Who are you calling fat? People like this are common in the north.
- 大 什么 大 啊，四 个 人 住在 一起，房间 太 小 了。You call this big? If you have four people living here together it's too small.
- 高 什么 啊，上海 还有 更 高的 大楼。What do you mean, "tall"? There are even taller buildings in Shanghai.
- 累 什么 累 啊，你 一 个 星期 只 工作 四 天。How are you tired? You only work four days a week.
- 聪明 什么 啊，比 我 聪明 的 人 有 很 多 。Smart? There are a lot of people smarter than me.
- 紧张 什么 啊，你 不 是 上 过 好 几 次 舞台 了 吗 ？应该 早 就 习惯 了 吧。What are you nervous for? Haven't you been on stage a bunch of times? You should be used to it by now.
- 担心 什么 啊，肯定 可以 买到 票 的。What are you worried about? We'll definitely be able to buy the tickets.
- 难过 什么 啊，以后 还 会 再 见 的。What are you sad about? We'll meet again for sure.
- 郁闷 什么 呀，看看 这 蓝蓝的 天空，绿绿的 田园，生活 多 美好 啊！Why so glum? Look at that blue sky, those green fields. Life is so wonderful!
If the adjective or psychological verb is repeated after the 什么 as in some of the examples above, it acts to give further emphasis. It almost has a tone of incredulity, a bit like "what on earth are you worried/anxious about?" Generally only single character adjectives can be used in this way.
- 你 忙 什么 忙 ？What are you busy with?
- 你 紧张 什么 紧张 ？
- 你 紧张 什么 ？What are you nervous about?
