Difference between revisions of "Challenging a verb with "shenme""
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| − | *这么 大 年纪 了，结 <em>什么</em> 婚啊！ | + | *这么 大 年纪 了，结 <em>什么</em> 婚啊！ <span class="expl">(The speaking is implying that getting married at this age is a ridiculous notion.)</expl> |
| − | *道 <em>什么</em> 歉，又 不是 你 的 错。 | + | *道 <em>什么</em> 歉，又 不是 你 的 错。 <span class="expl">(The speaking is implying that apologizing is completely unnecessary.)</expl> |
| − | *过 <em>什么</em> 年 啊，还 得 又 送 红包 又 送礼。 | + | *过 <em>什么</em> 年 啊，还 得 又 送 红包 又 送礼。 <span class="expl">(The speaking is implying that celebrating Chinese New Year isn't economically feasible.)</expl> |
| − | *没有 钱 看 <em>什么</em> 电影。 | + | *没有 钱 看 <em>什么</em> 电影。 <span class="expl">(The speaking is implying that there's no money to watch a movie.)</expl> |
| − | *还 吃 <em>什么</em> 饭，要 迟到 了。 | + | *还 吃 <em>什么</em> 饭，要 迟到 了。 <span class="expl">(The speaking is implying that there's no time to eat.)</expl> |
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| − | + | 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== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 03:10, 16 July 2012
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Level
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Used for
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Keywords
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 + Object
Examples
This usage is best illustrated with examples:
- 这么 大 年纪 了，结 什么 婚啊！ (The speaking is implying that getting married at this age is a ridiculous notion.)</expl>
- 道 什么 歉，又 不是 你 的 错。 (The speaking is implying that apologizing is completely unnecessary.)</expl>
- 过 什么 年 啊，还 得 又 送 红包 又 送礼。 (The speaking is implying that celebrating Chinese New Year isn't economically feasible.)</expl>
- 没有 钱 看 什么 电影。 (The speaking is implying that there's no money to watch a movie.)</expl>
- 还 吃 什么 饭，要 迟到 了。 (The speaking is implying that there's no time to eat.)</expl>
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.
