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. This pattern is often used with separable verbs.

Structure

The most common structure you will see is:

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. Lí shénme hūn! nǐmen jiéhūn cái sān gè yuè.
• 道 什么 歉 啊 ，又 不 是 你 的 错 。The speaker is implying that apologizing is completely unnecessary. Dào shénme qiàn a, yòu bù shì nǐ de cuò.
• 开 什么 玩笑 啊 ，你 撞 了 我 ，我 还要 跟 你 说 “对不起” ？The speaker is implying that it's a joke that he was asked to apologize to the guy who hit him.Kāi shénme wánxiào a, nǐ zhuàng le wǒ, wǒ ?? gēn nǐ shuō"duìbuqǐ"?
• 没有 钱 看 什么 电影 。The speaker is implying that there's no money to watch a movie.Méiyǒu qián kàn shénme diànyǐng.
• 还 吃 什么 早饭 啊 ，要 迟到 了 。The speaker is implying that there's no time for breakfast.Hái chī shénme zǎofàn a, yào chídào le.

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.

See also

• Challenging an Adjective with "shenme"

Sources and further reading

HSK5