Difference between revisions of "Challenging a verb with "shenme""

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Verb + 什么 + Object
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Verb + 什么 + Obj.
  
 
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[[Category: B2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category: B2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:Verb phrases]]
 
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{{Basic Grammar|什么|B2|V + 什么 + Obj.|没有 钱 看 <em>什么</em> 电影。|grammar point|ASGN3IGH}}
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{{Basic Grammar|什么|B2|Verb + 什么 + Obj.|没有 钱 看 <em>什么</em> 电影。|grammar point|ASGN3IGH}}
 
{{Similar|Challenging an Adjective with "shenme"}}
 
{{Similar|Challenging an Adjective with "shenme"}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing quality}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing quality}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing opinions}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing opinions}}
 
{{POS|Verbs}}
 
{{POS|Verbs}}

Revision as of 09:09, 20 October 2016

Chinese-grammar-wiki-shenme.jpg

Adding 什么 (shénme) to the end of a verb can be used to change a sentence into a rhetorical question. This usage 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:

  • 这么 大 年纪 了,结 什么 婚啊! The speaker is implying that getting married at this age is a ridiculous notion.
  • 什么 歉,又 不是 你 的 错。 The speaker is implying that apologizing is completely unnecessary.
  • 什么 年 啊,还 得 又 送 红包 又 送礼。 The speaker is implying that celebrating Chinese New Year isn't economically feasible.
  • 没有 钱 看 什么 电影。 The speaker is implying that there's no money to watch a movie.
  • 还 吃 什么 饭,要 迟到 了。 The speaker is implying that there's no time to eat.

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

Sources and further reading

HSK5