Challenging an adjective with "shenme"
Adding 什么 (shénme) after an adjective (or less frequently after a verb) can be used to form a rhetorical question. To use a very simple example, in the question 你急什么？("what are you anxious about?") the speaker is implying that there is no need to be anxious or impatient.
Structure
Adj. + 什么 (+ Adj.) ？
Verb + 什么 (+ Verb) ？
Just like in English, asking "what are you anxious about?" can be a rhetorical question, but can also be a sincere inquiry about what exactly the other person is worried about. The same is true in Chinese, so context and tone of voice are both important in understanding what the speaker means.
Examples
- 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.
- 哭 什么 啊，明天 我 就 带 你 去 买。What are you crying about? Tomorrow I'll take you to buy it.
- 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!
- 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?
If the adjective or 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 ？
