Difference between revisions of "Challenging a verb with "shenme""
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| − | Adding 什么 (shénme) to the end of a verb can be used to change a sentence into a rhetorical question. | + | Adding 什么 (shénme) to the end of a verb can be used to change a sentence into a [[Asking rhetorical questions|rhetorical question]]. |
== Verb + 什么 + Verb == | == Verb + 什么 + Verb == | ||
Revision as of 10:14, 21 November 2020
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Adding 什么 (shénme) to the end of a verb can be used to change a sentence into a rhetorical question.
Contents
Verb + 什么 + Verb
Just like in English, asking "what are you looking at?" can be a rhetorical question (hinting that you should stop staring), but can also be a sincere inquiry about what exactly the other person is looking at. When you repeat the verb, though, you make it pretty clear that you're not just curious. You're so annoyed that you're asking a rhetorical question.
Structure
Verb + 什么 + Verb ？
Examples
- 你 急 什么 急，还 早着 呢。Why are you so anxious? It's still so early.
- 你 哭 什么 哭，又 不 是 没有 你 的 礼物。What are you crying for? It's not like there's no gift for you.
- 你 笑 什么 笑，看 我 做错 了，你 很 开心 吗？What are you laughing at? Does seeing me make mistakes make you happy?
- 你 说 什么 说，大家 都 不 说话 ，就 你 说话 。Why are you talking? Everyone else isn't saying a word, it's just you talking.
- 你 看 什么 看，没 见 过 美女 啊？What are you looking at? Haven't you seen a pretty girl before?
Verb + 什么 + Object
This pattern is often used with separable verbs.
Structure
Verb + 什么 + Obj.
Examples
This usage is best illustrated with examples:
- 离 什么 婚 ！你们 结婚 才 三 个 月 。The speaker is implying that getting divorced right after being married for three months is a ridiculous notion.What are you talking about, "divorce"?! You've only been married three months!
- 道 什么 歉 啊 ，又 不 是 你 的 错 。The speaker is implying that apologizing is completely unnecessary.No aplogies! You didn't do anything wrong.
- 开 什么 玩笑 啊 ，你 撞 了 我 ，我 还要 跟 你 说 “对不起” ？It's a joke to expect an apology.Is this some kind of joke? You ran into me, and now you want me to say sorry to you?
- 没有 钱 看 什么 电影 。There's no money to watch a movie!What movie can we go see when we're broke?
- 还 吃 什么 早饭 啊 ，要 迟到 了 。There's no time for breakfast!No time for breakfast. We're going to be late!
Note that the questions above would likely be between friends, or at least two people who are quite familiar with each other. Tone of voice and context is key.
