Challenging a verb with "shenme"

Adding 什么 (shénme) to the end of a verb can be used to change a sentence into a rhetorical question. A classic example of this is "你看什么?" (What are you looking at?) The meaning varies wildly based on tone and context just like in English, but let's see some more examples of how 什么 can be used in this way before we get more in-depth.

• 你 要 什么 啊 ，你 今天 已经 来 了 三 次 了。
• 嗨，你 的 书 看 上去 很 有 意思，你 在看 什么 ？
• 他 做 什么 ？我们 已经 解决 完 那 个 问题，不 是 吗？

As mentioned above, the question "你看什么?" is a bit of a risky one, just like the English translation. If said too abruptly and with a stern tone, it carries the same hostile message that it would in English (think of a person trying to scare off a leering onlooker). If the question is said in a jovial and friendly tone, then the question can be non-rhetorical and curious. Tone of voice and context is key.

See also

• Challenging an Adjective with "shenme"

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