Difference between revisions of "Placement of question words"

Latest revision as of 09:20, 20 April 2021

Level

A1 / HSK1
Level

A1
Level

HSK1
Similar to
- Basic sentence order (A1)
- How to do something with "zenme" (A1)
- Asking how something is with "zenmeyang" (A2)
- Asking why with "zenme" (A2)
- Simple rhetorical questions (B1)
Similar to
- Asking how something is with "zenmeyang" (HSK1)
- Basic sentence order (HSK1)
- How to do something with "zenme" (HSK1)
- Asking why with "zenme" (HSK2)
- Simple rhetorical questions (HSK2)
Used for

Sentence Patterns, Asking questions
Keywords

什么, 谁, 什么时候, 哪儿, 为什么, 怎么

Who, what, when, where, why, and how: these question words are all used when forming questions in Chinese. The important thing to remember is that word order is the same in Chinese for questions and statements.

Overview

Common Question Words List

In English, question words are also known as wh-words, as the majority of them begin with wh:

什么 shénmewhat
哪里、哪儿 nǎlǐ, nǎrwhere
哪个nǎgewhich
谁 In spoken Chinese, people normally say "shéi," not "shuí"shéiwho
什么时候 shénme shíhouwhen
为什么 wèishénmewhy
怎么 zěnmehow
多少 duōshaohow many / how much

Rules

In English, question words have to be placed at the beginning of the sentence. This involves changing the word order to allow this rearrangement. In Chinese, using question words is a lot simpler. You simply place a question word in the place of the thing you want to ask about. Nothing needs to be rearranged.

So if the statement is

我是小李。 Wǒ shì Xiǎo Lǐ.I am Xiao Li.

the question form - "who are you?" - has the same word order:

你是谁？Nǐ shì shéi?Who are you? (you are who?)

This works for whatever it is you want to ask about. The question form has the same word order as the statement form.

Expressing "What" with 什么 (shénme)

Structure

Subj. + Verb + 什么 + (Noun) ?

Examples

A: 这是什么？Zhè shì shénme?What is this?
B:这是 我的 iPad。Zhè shì wǒ de iPad.This is my iPad.

A:你喜欢吃什么菜？ Nǐ xǐhuan chī shénme cài?What kind of food do you like?
B:我喜欢吃 中国菜。 Wǒ xǐhuan chī Zhōngguó cài.I like Chinese food.

A:你用什么手机？Nǐ yòng shénme shǒujī?What kind of cell phone do you use?
B:我用 iPhone。Wǒ yòng iPhone.I use an iPhone.

A:你在看什么书？Nǐ zài kàn shénme shū?What kind of book are you reading?
B:我在看小说。Wǒ zài kàn xiǎoshuō.I am reading a novel.

A:他开什么车？Tā kāi shénme chē? What kind of car does he drive?
B:他开宝马。 Tā kāi Bǎomǎ.He drives a BMW.

Expressing "Where" with 哪里 (nǎlǐ) / 哪儿 (nǎr)

The words 哪里 (nǎlǐ) and 哪儿 (nǎr) mean the same thing. The difference is simply regional preference: 哪里 (nǎlǐ) is preferred in the south (Shanghai, Taiwan), whereas 哪儿 (nǎr) is preferred in the north (Beijing, Xi'an).

Structure

Subj. + Verb + 哪里 / 哪儿 ?

Examples

A:你在哪里？Nǐ zài nǎlǐ?Where are you?
B:我在家。Wǒ zài jiā.I'm at home.

A:你要去哪儿？Nǐ yào qù nǎr?Where are you going now?
B:我要去 洗手间。Wǒ yào qù xǐshǒujiān.I'm going to the bathroom.

A:我们在哪儿？Wǒmen zài nǎr?Where are we?
B:我们在 南京西路。Wǒmen zài Nánjīng Xī Lù.We are at West Nanjing road.

A: 这个周末你想去哪儿？Zhège zhōumò nǐ xiǎng qù nǎr?Where do you want to go this weekend?
B:我想去公园。Wǒ xiǎng qù gōngyuán.I want to go to the park.

A: 你好，你要去哪儿？Nǐhǎo, nǐ yào qù nǎr?Hello, where do you want to go?
B:我要去外滩。Wǒ yào qù Wàitān.I want to go to the Bund.

Expressing "Which" with 哪个 (nǎge)

Structure

Subj. + Verb + 哪个 (+ Noun) ?

Examples

A:你要哪个？Nǐ yào nǎge?Which one do you want?
B:我要这个。Wǒ yào zhège.I want this one.

A:你喜欢 哪个菜？Nǐ xǐhuan nǎge cài?Which dish do you like?
B:我喜欢 这个菜。Wǒ xǐhuan zhège cài.I like this dish.

A: 我们去 哪个饭店？Wǒmen qù nǎge fàndiàn? Which restaurant are we going to?
B: 我们去 你妈妈的饭店。Wǒmen qù nǐ māma de fàndiàn.We are going to your mom's restaurant.

A: 你在 哪个房间？Nǐ zài nǎge fángjiān? Which room are you in?
B: 我在 你的房间。Wǒ zài nǐ de fángjiān.I'm in your room.

A: 你住在 哪个区？Nǐ zhù zài nǎge qū? Which district do you live in?
B: 我住在 静安区。Wǒ zhù zài Jìng'ān Qū .I live in Jing'an District.

Expressing "Who" with 谁 (shéi)

Structure

Subj. + 是 + 谁 ?

谁 + Verb ?

Examples

A:你是谁？Nǐ shì shéi?Who are you?
B:我是 他女朋友。Wǒ shì tā nǚpéngyou.I'm his girlfriend.

A:她是谁？Tā shì shéi?Who is she?
B:她是 我的老师。Tā shì wǒ de lǎoshī.She‘s my teacher.

A:你不喜欢谁？Nǐ bù xǐhuan shéi?Who do you not like?
B:我不喜欢 我的老板。Wǒ bù xǐhuan wǒ de lǎobǎn.I don't like my boss.

A:谁想去？Shéi xiǎng qù?Who wants to go?
B:我想去。Wǒ xiǎng qù.I want to go.

A:谁想喝咖啡？Shéi xiǎng hē kāfēi?Who wants to drink coffee?
B:我想喝咖啡。Wǒ xiǎng hē kāfēi.I want to drink coffee.

Expressing "When" with 什么时候 (shénme shíhou)

Structure

Subj. + 什么时候 + Predicate ?

Examples for asking and telling when (to keep things simple, we'll just include questions about the future; asking questions about the past can be slightly more complicated and may involve the "shi... de" construction).

Examples

A:你 什么时候 来？ Nǐ shénme shíhou lái?When are you coming?
B:我明天来。Wǒ míngtiān lái.I'm coming tomorrow.

A:你们 什么时候 走？Nǐmen shénme shíhou zǒu?When are you guys leaving?
B:我们 下个月 走。Wǒmen xià gè yuè zǒu.We're leaving next month.

A:我们 什么时候 吃饭？Wǒmen shénme shíhou chīfàn?When are we eating?
B:我们 6 点 吃饭。Wǒmen liù diǎn chīfàn.We're eating at 6:00.

A:爸爸 什么时候 回来？Bàba shénme shíhou huílái?When is dad coming back?
B:爸爸周末回来。Bàba zhōumò huílái.Dad is coming back this weekend.

A:你的飞机 什么时候 到上海？Nǐ de fēijī shénme shíhou dào Shànghǎi?When is your airplane arriving in Shanghai?
B:晚上八点。 Wǎnshang bā diǎn.Eight o'clock this evening.

Expressing "Why" with 为什么 (wèishénme)

Structure

Subj. + 为什么 + Predicate ?

Examples

A:你 为什么 学中文？Nǐ wèishénme xué Zhōngwén?Why do you study Chinese?
B:因为我在中国工作。Yīnwèi wǒ zài Zhōngguó gōngzuò. Because I'm working in China.

A:他们 为什么 不喝咖啡？Tāmen wèishénme bù hē kāfēi?Why don't you drink coffee?
B:因为咖啡很苦。Yīnwèi kāfēi hěn kǔ.Because coffee is bitter.

A:他 为什么 不来？Tā wèishénme bù lái?Why isn't he coming?
B:因为他很忙。Yīnwèi tā hěn máng.Because he is busy.

A:你早上 为什么 不在？Nǐ zǎoshang wèishénme bù zài?Why were you not here this morning?
B:因为我出去见朋友了。Yīnwèi wǒ chūqù jiàn péngyou le.Because I went out to meet some friends.

A:这些外国人 为什么 不喜欢中国？Zhèxiē wàiguó rén wèishénme bù xǐhuan Zhōngguó?Why do these foreigners not like China?
B:因为中国人太多。Yīnwèi Zhōngguó rén tài duō.Because China has a lot of people.

Expressing "How" with 怎么 (zěnme)

Structure

Subj. + 怎么 + Verb (+ Obj.) ?

Examples

A:你怎么学习中文？Nǐ zěnme xuéxí Zhōngwén?How do you study Chinese?
B:我 用 Grammar Wiki 学习中文。Wǒ yòng Grammar Wiki xuéxí Zhōngwén.I use the Grammar Wiki to study Chinese.

A:你怎么上网？Nǐ zěnme shàngwǎng?How do you go online?
B:我 用手机 上网。Wǒ yòng shǒujī shàngwǎng.I use my cell phone to go online.

A:你怎么去北京？Nǐ zěnme qù Běijīng?How do you go to Beijing?
B:我 坐火车 去。Wǒ zuò huǒchē qù.I take the train.

A:你们怎么回家？Nǐmen zěnme huíjiā?How are you guys going to get home?
B:我开车回家。Wǒ kāichē huíjiā.I‘m driving home.

A:你怎么买票？ Nǐ zěnme mǎi piào? How do you buy tickets?
B:我上网买票。Wǒ shàngwǎng mǎi piào.I go online to buy tickets.

Sources and further reading

HSK Standard Course 1 (pp. 15, 23, 66) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1) (pp. 57) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed) (pp. 66, 251) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 46) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar (pp. 23) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 132-5) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy

Difference between revisions of "Placement of question words"

Latest revision as of 09:20, 20 April 2021

Contents

Overview

Common Question Words List

Rules

Expressing "What" with 什么 (shénme)

Structure

Examples

Expressing "Where" with 哪里 (nǎlǐ) / 哪儿 (nǎr)

Structure

Examples

Expressing "Which" with 哪个 (nǎge)

Structure

Examples

Expressing "Who" with 谁 (shéi)

Structure

Examples

Expressing "When" with 什么时候 (shénme shíhou)

Structure

Examples

Expressing "Why" with 为什么 (wèishénme)

Structure

Examples

Expressing "How" with 怎么 (zěnme)

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Grammar Box}}
-What, Where, Who, When, Why, How. These question words are one way to form questions in Chinese.
+''Who'', ''what'', ''when'', ''where'', ''why'', and ''how'': these question words are all used when forming questions in Chinese. The important thing to remember is that [[word order]] is the same in Chinese for questions and statements.
 == Overview ==
-=== Common question words list ===
+=== Common Question Words List ===
 In English, question words are also known as ''wh-words'', as the majority of them begin with ''wh'':
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 * 什么 <span class="pinyin">shénme</span><span class="trans">what</span>
-* 哪里 、 哪儿 <span class="pinyin">nǎli, nǎr</span><span class="trans">where</span>
+* 哪里 、 哪儿 <span class="pinyin">nǎlǐ, nǎr</span><span class="trans">where</span>
-* 谁 <span class="expl">In spoken Chinese, people normally say "shéi", not "shuí"</span><span class="pinyin">shéi (shuí)</span><span class="trans">who</span>
+* 哪个<span class="pinyin">nǎge</span><span class="trans">which</span>
+* 谁 <span class="expl">In spoken Chinese, people normally say "shéi," not "shuí"</span><span class="pinyin">shéi</span><span class="trans">who</span>
 * 什么时候 <span class="pinyin">shénme shíhou</span><span class="trans">when</span>
 * 为什么 <span class="pinyin">wèishénme</span><span class="trans">why</span>
 * 怎么 <span class="pinyin">zěnme</span><span class="trans">how</span>
+* 多少 <span class="pinyin">duōshao</span><span class="trans">how many / how much</span>
 </div>
@@ Line 22: / Line 24: @@
 === Rules ===
-In English, question words have to be placed at the beginning of the sentence. This involves changing the [[word order]] to allow this rearrangement. In Chinese, using question words is a lot simpler. You simply place a question word in the place of the thing you want to ask about. Nothing needs to be rearranged.
+In English, question words have to be placed at the beginning of the sentence. This involves changing the [[word order]] to allow this rearrangement. In Chinese, using question words is a lot simpler. You simply place a question word in the place of the thing you want to ask about. ''Nothing needs to be rearranged.''
 So if the statement is
@@ Line 42: / Line 44: @@
 This works for whatever it is you want to ask about. The question form has the same word order as the statement form.
-== Expressing "what" with 什么 (shénme) ==
+== Expressing "What" with 什么 (shénme) ==
 === Structure ===
@@ Line 57: / Line 59: @@
 <ul class="dialog">
 <li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 这 是 <em>什么</em>？<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì <em>shénme</em>?</span><span class="trans">What is this?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>这 是 <em>我 的 ipad</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì <em> wǒ de ipad</em>.</span><span class="trans">This is my ipad.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>这 是 <em>我 的 iPad</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì <em>wǒ de iPad</em>.</span><span class="trans">This is my iPad.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 63: / Line 65: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 喜欢 吃 <em>什么</em> 菜？<span class="pinyin"> Nǐ xǐhuan chī <em>shénme</em> cài ?</span><span class="trans">What kind of food do you like?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 喜欢 吃 <em>什么</em> 菜？<span class="pinyin"> Nǐ xǐhuan chī <em>shénme</em> cài?</span><span class="trans">What kind of food do you like?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 喜欢 吃 <em>中国 菜</em>。<span class="pinyin"> Wǒ xǐhuan chī <em> Zhōngguó cài</em>.</span><span class="trans">I like Chinese food.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 喜欢 吃 <em>中国 菜</em>。<span class="pinyin"> Wǒ xǐhuan chī <em>Zhōngguó cài</em>.</span><span class="trans">I like Chinese food.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 70: / Line 72: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 用 <em>什么</em> 手机？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yòng <em>shénme</em> shǒujī ?</span><span class="trans">What kind of cellphone do you use?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 用 <em>什么</em> 手机？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yòng <em>shénme</em> shǒujī?</span><span class="trans">What kind of cell phone do you use?</span></li>
 <li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 用 <em>iPhone</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ yòng <em>iPhone</em>.</span><span class="trans">I use an iPhone.</span></li>
 </ul>
@@ Line 77: / Line 79: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 在 看 <em>什么</em> 书？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zài kàn <em>shénme</em> shū ?</span><span class="trans">What kind of book are you reading?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 在 看 <em>什么</em> 书？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zài kàn <em>shénme</em> shū?</span><span class="trans">What kind of book are you reading?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 在 看 <em> 小说</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài kàn <em> xiǎoshuō </em>.</span><span class="trans">I am reading a novel.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 在 看 <em>小说</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài kàn <em>xiǎoshuō</em>.</span><span class="trans">I am reading a novel.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 84: / Line 86: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>他 开 <em>什么</em> 车？<span class="pinyin">Tā kāi <em>shénme</em> chē? </span><span class="trans"> What kind of car does he drive?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>他 开 <em>什么</em> 车？<span class="pinyin">Tā kāi <em>shénme</em> chē?</span><span class="trans"> What kind of car does he drive?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>他 开 <em> 宝马</em>。<span class="pinyin"> Tā kāi <em> bǎomǎ</em>.</span><span class="trans">He drives BMW.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>他 开 <em>宝马</em>。<span class="pinyin"> Tā kāi <em>Bǎomǎ</em>.</span><span class="trans">He drives a BMW.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
-== Expressing "where" with 哪里 (nǎli) / 哪儿 (nǎr) ==
+== Expressing "Where" with 哪里 (nǎlǐ) / 哪儿 (nǎr) ==
+The words 哪里 (nǎlǐ) and 哪儿 (nǎr) mean the same thing. The difference is simply regional preference: 哪里 (nǎlǐ) is preferred in the south (Shanghai, Taiwan), whereas 哪儿 (nǎr) is preferred in the north (Beijing, Xi'an).
 === Structure ===
@@ Line 95: / Line 99: @@
 <div class="jiegou">
-Subj. + Verb + 哪里/哪儿 ?
+Subj. + Verb + 哪里 / 哪儿 ?
 </div>
@@ Line 103: / Line 107: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 在 <em>哪里</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zài <em>nǎli</em>?</span><span class="trans">Where are you?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 在 <em>哪里</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zài <em>nǎlǐ</em>?</span><span class="trans">Where are you?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 在 <em> 家 </em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài <em>jiā</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm at home.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 在 <em>家</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài <em>jiā</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm at home.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 124: / Line 128: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 这 个 周末 你 想 去 <em>哪儿</em>？<span class="pinyin">Zhè ge zhōumò nǐ xiǎng qù <em>nǎr</em>?</span><span class="trans">Where do you want to go this weekend?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 这 个 周末 你 想 去 <em>哪儿</em>？<span class="pinyin">Zhège zhōumò nǐ xiǎng qù <em>nǎr</em>?</span><span class="trans">Where do you want to go this weekend?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 想 去 <em> 酒吧 </em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiǎng qù <em>jiǔbā</em>.</span><span class="trans">I want to go to the bar.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 想 去 <em>公园</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xiǎng qù <em>gōngyuán</em>.</span><span class="trans">I want to go to the park.</span></li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+<div class="liju">
+<ul class="dialog">
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你好，你 要 去 <em>哪儿</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐhǎo, nǐ yào qù <em>nǎr</em>?</span><span class="trans">Hello, where do you want to go?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 要 去 <em>外滩</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ yào qù <em>Wàitān</em>.</span><span class="trans">I want to go to the Bund.</span></li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+== Expressing "Which" with 哪个 (nǎge) ==
+=== Structure ===
+<div class="jiegou">
+Subj. + Verb + 哪个 (+ Noun) ?
+</div>
+=== Examples ===
+<div class="liju">
+<ul class="dialog">
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 要 <em>哪个</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yào <em>nǎge</em>?</span><span class="trans">Which one do you want?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 要 <em>这个</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ yào <em>zhège</em>.</span><span class="trans">I want this one.</span></li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+<div class="liju">
+<ul class="dialog">
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 喜欢 <em>哪 个 菜</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ xǐhuan <em>nǎge cài</em>?</span><span class="trans">Which dish do you like?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 喜欢 <em>这 个 菜</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xǐhuan <em>zhège cài</em>.</span><span class="trans">I like this dish.</span></li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+<div class="liju">
+<ul class="dialog">
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 我们 去 <em>哪 个 饭店</em>？<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen qù <em>nǎge fàndiàn</em>? </span><span class="trans">Which restaurant are we going to? </span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我们 去 <em>你 妈妈 的 饭店</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen qù <em>nǐ māma de fàndiàn</em>.</span><span class="trans">We are going to your mom's restaurant.</span></li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+<div class="liju">
+<ul class="dialog">
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 在 <em>哪 个 房间</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zài <em>nǎge fángjiān</em>? </span><span class="trans">Which room are you in? </span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 在 <em>你 的 房间</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài <em> nǐ de fángjiān</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm in your room.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 131: / Line 180: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你好，你 要 去 <em>哪儿</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐhǎo nǐ yào qù <em>nǎr</em>?</span><span class="trans">Hello, where do you want to go?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 住 在 <em>哪 个 区</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zhù zài <em>nǎge qū</em>? </span><span class="trans">Which district do you live in? </span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 要 去 <em> 外滩 </em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ yào qù <em> wàitān</em>.</span><span class="trans">I want to go to the bond.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 住 在 <em>静安 区</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zhù zài <em> Jìng'ān Qū </em>.</span><span class="trans">I live in Jing'an District.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
-== Expressing "who" with 谁 (shéi) ==
+== Expressing "Who" with 谁 (shéi) ==
 === Structure ===
@@ Line 153: / Line 202: @@
 <ul class="dialog">
 <li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 是 <em>谁</em>？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ shì <em>shéi</em>?</span><span class="trans">Who are you?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 是 <em>他的朋友</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ shì <em>tā de nǚpéngyou</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm his girlfriend.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 是 <em>他 女朋友</em>。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ shì <em>tā nǚpéngyou</em>.</span><span class="trans">I'm his girlfriend.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 160: / Line 209: @@
 <ul class="dialog">
 <li><span class="speaker">A:</span>她 是 <em>谁</em>？<span class="pinyin">Tā shì <em>shéi</em>?</span><span class="trans">Who is she?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>她 是 <em>我的老师</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā shì <em>wǒ de lǎoshī </em>.</span><span class="trans">She‘s my teacher.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>她 是 <em>我的老师</em>。<span class="pinyin">Tā shì <em>wǒ de lǎoshī</em>.</span><span class="trans">She‘s my teacher.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 179: / Line 228: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span><em>谁</em> 要 喝 咖啡？<span class="pinyin"><em>Shéi</em> xiǎng hē kāfēi?</span><span class="trans">Who wants to drink coffee?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span><em>谁</em> 想 喝 咖啡？<span class="pinyin"><em>Shéi</em> xiǎng hē kāfēi?</span><span class="trans">Who wants to drink coffee?</span></li>
 <li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>我</em> 想 喝 咖啡。<span class="pinyin"><em>Wǒ</em> xiǎng hē kāfēi.</span><span class="trans">I want to drink coffee.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
-== Expressing "when" with 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) ==
+== Expressing "When" with 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) ==
 === Structure ===
@@ Line 190: / Line 239: @@
 <div class="jiegou">
-Subject + 什么时候 + Predicate ?
+Subj. + 什么时候 + Predicate ?
 </div>
-Examples for asking and telling ''when'' (to keep things simple, we'll just include questions about the future; asking questions about the past can be slightly more complicated and may involve the [["Shi... de" construction|"shi... de" construction]]).
+Examples for asking and telling ''when'' (to keep things simple, we'll just include questions about the future; asking questions about the past can be slightly more complicated and may involve the [[Using the "shi... de" construction|"shi... de" construction]]).
 === Examples ===
@@ Line 201: / Line 250: @@
 <ul class="dialog">
 <li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>什么时候</em> 来 ？ <span class="pinyin">Nǐ shénme shíhou lái?</span><span class="trans">When are you coming?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>明天</em> 来 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ míngtiān lái.</span><span class="trans">I'm coming tomorrow.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>明天</em> 来。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ míngtiān lái.</span><span class="trans">I'm coming tomorrow.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 207: / Line 256: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>我们 <em>什么时候</em> 吃 饭 ？<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen shénme shíhou chī fàn?</span><span class="trans">When are we eating?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你们 <em>什么时候</em> 走？<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen shénme shíhou zǒu?</span><span class="trans">When are you guys leaving?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我们 <em>6 点</em> 吃 饭 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen liù diǎn chī fàn.</span><span class="trans">We're eating at 6:00.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我们 <em>下 个 月</em> 走。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen xià gè yuè  zǒu.</span><span class="trans">We're leaving next month.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 214: / Line 263: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你们 <em>什么时候</em> 走 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen shénme shíhou zǒu ?</span><span class="trans">When are you guys leaving?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>我们 <em>什么时候</em> 吃饭？<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen shénme shíhou chīfàn?</span><span class="trans">When are we eating?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我们 <em>下 个 月</em> 走 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen xià ge yuè  zǒu.</span><span class="trans">We're leaving next month.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我们 <em>6 点</em> 吃饭。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen liù diǎn chīfàn.</span><span class="trans">We're eating at 6:00.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 221: / Line 270: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>什么时候</em> 回 美国 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ shénme shíhou huí Měiguó?</span><span class="trans">When are you going back to the U.S.?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>爸爸 <em>什么时候</em> 回来？<span class="pinyin">Bàba shénme shíhou huílái?</span><span class="trans">When is dad coming back?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>9月</em> 回 美国。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ jiǔyuè huí Měiguó.</span><span class="trans">I am going back this September.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>爸爸 <em>周末</em> 回来。<span class="pinyin">Bàba zhōumò huílái.</span><span class="trans">Dad is coming back this weekend.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 233: / Line 282: @@
 </div>
-== Expressing "why" with 为什么 (wèishénme) ==
+== Expressing "Why" with 为什么 (wèishénme) ==
 === Structure ===
@@ Line 239: / Line 288: @@
 <div class="jiegou">
-Subject + 为什么 + Predicate ?
+Subj. + 为什么 + Predicate ?
 </div>
@@ Line 247: / Line 296: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>为什么</em> 学 中文 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>wèishénme</em> xué Zhōngwén?</span><span class="trans">Why do you study Chinese?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>为什么</em> 学 中文？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>wèishénme</em> xué Zhōngwén?</span><span class="trans">Why do you study Chinese?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>因为</em> 我 在 中国 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> wǒ zài Zhōngguó.</span><span class="trans"> Because I'm in China.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>因为</em> 我 在 中国 工作。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> wǒ zài Zhōngguó gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans"> Because I'm working in China.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 254: / Line 303: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>为什么</em> 不 高兴 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>wèishénme</em> bù gāoxìng?</span><span class="trans">Why are you not happy?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>他们 <em>为什么</em> 不 喝 咖啡？<span class="pinyin">Tāmen <em>wèishénme</em> bù hē kāfēi?</span><span class="trans">Why don't you drink coffee?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>因为</em> 我的 中文 不好。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> wǒ de Zhōngwén bù hǎo.</span><span class="trans">Because my Chinese is not good.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>因为</em> 咖啡 很 苦。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> kāfēi hěn kǔ.</span><span class="trans">Because coffee is bitter.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 268: / Line 317: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 早上<em>为什么</em> 不 在？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zǎoshang <em>wèishénme</em> bú zài?</span><span class="trans">Why were you not here this morning? </span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 早上 <em>为什么</em> 不 在？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ zǎoshang <em>wèishénme</em> bù zài?</span><span class="trans">Why were you not here this morning? </span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>因为</em> 我 出去  见 朋友 了 。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> wǒ chūqù jiàn péngyou le.</span><span class="trans">Because I was out meeting some friends.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>因为</em> 我 出去 见 朋友 了。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> wǒ chūqù jiàn péngyou le.</span><span class="trans">Because I went out to meet some friends.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 275: / Line 324: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>他 <em>为什么</em> 不 喜欢 中国？<span class="pinyin"> Tā <em>wèishénme</em> bù xǐhuan Zhōngguó ?</span><span class="trans">Why does he not like China? </span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>这些 外国人 <em>为什么</em> 不 喜欢 中国？<span class="pinyin">Zhèxiē wàiguó rén <em>wèishénme</em> bù xǐhuan Zhōngguó?</span><span class="trans">Why do these foreigners not like China? </span></li>
 <li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em>因为</em> 中国 人 太多。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> Zhōngguó rén tài duō.</span><span class="trans">Because China has a lot of people.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
-== Expressing "how" with 怎么 (zěnme) ==
+== Expressing "How" with 怎么 (zěnme) ==
 === Structure ===
@@ Line 286: / Line 335: @@
 <div class="jiegou">
-Subject + 怎么 + Verb (+ Object) ?
+Subj. + 怎么 + Verb (+ Obj.) ?
 </div>
@@ Line 295: / Line 344: @@
 <ul class="dialog">
 <li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>怎么</em> 学习 中文？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zěnme</em> xuéxí Zhōngwén?</span><span class="trans">How do you study Chinese?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>用  <span class="spaced">Grammar Wiki</span></em> 学习 中文 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yòng Grammar Wiki</em> xuéxí Zhōngwén.</span><span class="trans">I use the Grammar Wiki.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>用  <span class="spaced">Grammar Wiki</span></em> 学习 中文 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yòng Grammar Wiki</em> xuéxí Zhōngwén.</span><span class="trans">I use the Grammar Wiki to study Chinese.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 308: / Line 357: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>怎么</em> 去 北京？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zěnme</em> qù Beijing?</span><span class="trans">How do you go to Beijing? </span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>怎么</em> 去 北京？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zěnme</em> qù Běijīng?</span><span class="trans">How do you go to Beijing? </span></li>
 <li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>坐 火车</em> 去。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>zuò huǒchē</em> qù.</span><span class="trans">I take the train.</span></li>
 </ul>
@@ Line 315: / Line 364: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>怎么</em>  认识 她 的？<span class="pinyin"> Nǐ <em>zěnme</em> rènshi tā de ?</span><span class="trans"> How did you meet her?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你们 <em>怎么</em> 回家 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>zěnme</em> huíjiā?</span><span class="trans">How are you guys going to get home?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span><em> 工作 </em> 认识 的。<span class="pinyin"><em> Gōngzuò</em> rènshi de .</span><span class="trans">I met her at work.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>开车</em> 回家。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>kāichē</em> huíjiā.</span><span class="trans">I‘m driving home.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 322: / Line 371: @@
 <div class="liju">
 <ul class="dialog">
-<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你们 <em>怎么</em> 回家 ？<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>zěnme</em> huíjiā?</span><span class="trans">How are you guys going to get home?</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>怎么</em>  买 票 ？<span class="pinyin"> Nǐ <em>zěnme</em> mǎi piào?</span><span class="trans"> How do you buy tickets?</span></li>
-<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>开车</em> 回家。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>kāichē</em> huíjiā.</span><span class="trans">I‘m driving home.</span></li>
+<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>我 <em>上网</em> 买 票 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>shàngwǎng</em> mǎi piào.</span><span class="trans">I go online to buy tickets.</span></li>
 </ul>
 </div>
@@ Line 335: / Line 384: @@
 == Sources and further reading ==
-* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (p. 23) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 →buy]
+{{Source|HSK Standard Course 1|15, 23, 66}}
-* [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 132-5) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy]
+{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)|57}}
-* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)]] (p. 57) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561910401/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561910401 →buy]
+{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed)|66, 251}}
-* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed)]] (pp. 66, 251) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561926235/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=7561926235 →buy]
+{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|46}}
-* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]][http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
+{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|23}}
+{{Source|Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition|132-5}}
-{{Used for|Asking questions}}
-{{Used for|Sentence Patterns}}
 [[Category:A1 grammar points]]
+{{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}}
 [[Category:Dialogs]]
 {{Basic Grammar|什么|A1|什么 / 什么时候 / 谁 / 哪儿 / 为什么 / 怎么|你 是 <em>谁</em> ？你 在 <em>哪儿</em> ？|grammar point|ASGJQPSC}}
@@ Line 353: / Line 402: @@
 {{Rel char|怎么}}
 {{Similar|Word order}}
-{{Similar|Positive negative questions}}
+{{Similar|Affirmative-negative question}}
-{{Similar|Yes - no questions with ma}}
+{{Similar|Yes-no questions with "ma"}}
 {{Similar|Basic sentence order}}
-{{Similar|How to do something}}
+{{Similar|How to do something with "zenme"}}
-{{Structure|Question Forms}}
+{{Used for|Asking questions}}
+{{Used for|Sentence Patterns}}
 {{Translation|who}}
 {{Translation|what}}
@@ Line 364: / Line 414: @@
 {{Translation|why}}
 {{Translation|how}}
+{{Structure|Question Forms}}