Ending a non-exhaustive list with "shenme de"

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 + 什么的

Examples

  • 数学 、物理 、化学 什么的 ,我 都 不 感兴趣 。Shùxué, wùlǐ, huàxué shénme de, wǒ dōu bù gǎnxìngqù.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Wǒ xǐhuan shíyòng de lǐwù, shǒubiǎo, yīfu, shū shénme de.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Wǒmen jiànmiàn yībān jiùshì chīfàn, liáotiān shénme de.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Míngtiān qù yěcān, wǒmen yào bu yào mǎi yīxiē shuǐguǒ, língshí shénme de.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 。Pǎobù, yóuyǒng, lánqiú shénme de, zhèxiē yùndòng tā dōu xǐhuan.Running, swimming, basketball, and so on. He likes all these sports.
  • 一个人 住 ,洗衣服 、做饭 什么的 都 要 自己 做 。Yīgèrén zhù, xǐ yīfu, zuòfàn shénme de dōu yào zìjǐ zuò.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 。Diànshì, xǐyījī shénme de, wǒ bàba dōu huì xiū.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 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.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books