Ending a non-exhaustive list with "shenme de"
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
什么的(shénme de) is an informal way to express "etc.," and is used to end a list of items when it is obvious to the listener what class of things the speaker is talking about. 什么的 can also be used after a single item if it is obvious enough what might follow.
Structure
Noun 1, Noun 2 (+ Noun 3) + 什么的
Examples
- 我 奶奶 不 吃 肉 ，只 吃 蔬菜 、豆腐 什么的 。My grandma doesn't eat meat. She only eats vegetables, tofu, and so on.
- 养狗 很 麻烦 ，你 要 喂 它 ，给 他 洗澡 ，跟 它 玩 什么的 。Having a dog gives you too much trouble. You need to feed it, give it a bath, play with it, and so on.
- 数学 、物理 、化学 什么的 ，我 都 不 感兴趣 。Math, physics, chemistry, and so on. I'm not interested in any of them.
- 我 喜欢 实用 的 礼物 ，手表 、衣服 、书 什么的 。I like practical presents, watch, clothes, books and so on.
- 我们 见面 一般 就是 吃饭、聊天 什么的 。When we meet, we just eat and talk, and so on.
- 明天 去 野餐 ，我们 要 不 要 买 一些 水果 ，零食 什么的 。We are going on picnic tomorrow. Shall we buy some fruits, snacks, and so on.
- 跑步、游泳 、篮球 什么的 ，这些 运动 他 都 喜欢 。Running, swimming, basketball, and so on. He likes all these sports.
- 长城 、故宫 什么的 ，都 是 北京 很 有名 的 景点 。The Great Wall, Summer Palace, and so on. They're all very famous tourist attractions in Beijing.
- 一个人 住 ，洗衣服 、做饭 什么的 都 要 自己 做 。When you live alone, you need to do things all by yourself, doing laundry, cooking, and so on.
- 电视 、洗衣机 什么的 ，我 爸爸 都 会 修 。Television, washing machine, and so on. My father can fix many things.
It can be a little impolite to use 什么的 after a list of peoples names, in which case 等 can be used in place of 什么的. When referring to a list of friends in informal contexts there is no problem using 什么的.
