Interrogative pronouns are essential in any language for asking questions and gathering information. In Mandarin Chinese, two of the most commonly used interrogative pronouns are 谁 (shéi or shuí, meaning “who”) and 什么 (shénme, meaning “what”). Understanding how to use these pronouns correctly can significantly enhance your conversational skills and comprehension. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on their usage, including structure, common phrases, and practical examples.
Understanding 谁 (shéi or shuí)
谁 is the Chinese interrogative pronoun used to ask about people. It can be translated as “who” or “whom” in English. Knowing how to use 谁 correctly can help you ask about someone’s identity or the subject of a particular action.
Pronunciation and Variations
The standard pronunciation of 谁 is “shéi,” but in some regions and contexts, you might also hear it pronounced as “shuí.” Both pronunciations are correct, and they are interchangeable. However, “shéi” is more commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Basic Sentence Structure
The basic structure for questions using 谁 is relatively straightforward. Here are a few examples:
1. 谁 + Verb + Object?
– 谁是你的老师? (Shéi shì nǐ de lǎoshī?) – Who is your teacher?
– 谁在唱歌? (Shéi zài chànggē?) – Who is singing?
2. Subject + Verb + 谁?
– 你认识谁? (Nǐ rènshí shéi?) – Whom do you know?
– 他在等谁? (Tā zài děng shéi?) – Who is he waiting for?
谁 as a Subject
When 谁 is used as a subject, it typically comes at the beginning of the sentence:
– 谁是公司老板? (Shéi shì gōngsī lǎobǎn?) – Who is the boss of the company?
– 谁能帮我? (Shéi néng bāng wǒ?) – Who can help me?
谁 as an Object
When 谁 is used as an object, it usually follows the verb:
– 你找谁? (Nǐ zhǎo shéi?) – Who are you looking for?
– 他喜欢谁? (Tā xǐhuān shéi?) – Whom does he like?
谁 in Complex Sentences
谁 can also be used in more complex sentences, often involving subordinate clauses:
– 你知道谁来了? (Nǐ zhīdào shéi lái le?) – Do you know who came?
– 他们在讨论谁会赢? (Tāmen zài tǎolùn shéi huì yíng?) – They are discussing who will win.
Understanding 什么 (shénme)
什么 is the Chinese interrogative pronoun used to ask about things, objects, or concepts. It is equivalent to “what” in English. Mastering the use of 什么 can help you inquire about various subjects and broaden your vocabulary.
Pronunciation
什么 is pronounced as “shénme.” The first syllable “shén” has the second tone, and “me” is neutral. Pay attention to the tones, as they can change the meaning of the words in Mandarin.
Basic Sentence Structure
The basic structure for questions using 什么 is as follows:
1. Subject + Verb + 什么?
– 你在做什么? (Nǐ zài zuò shénme?) – What are you doing?
– 他买了什么? (Tā mǎi le shénme?) – What did he buy?
2. 什么 + Noun + Verb?
– 什么书最好? (Shénme shū zuì hǎo?) – What book is the best?
– 什么电影好看? (Shénme diànyǐng hǎokàn?) – What movie is good?
什么 as a Subject
Although less common, 什么 can sometimes be used as a subject, particularly in rhetorical questions:
– 什么是爱情? (Shénme shì àiqíng?) – What is love?
– 什么能阻止我们? (Shénme néng zǔzhǐ wǒmen?) – What can stop us?
什么 as an Object
More frequently, 什么 is used as an object in a sentence:
– 你想吃什么? (Nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?) – What do you want to eat?
– 她在看什么? (Tā zài kàn shénme?) – What is she looking at?
什么 in Complex Sentences
Just like 谁, 什么 can be used in complex sentences with subordinate clauses:
– 你知道他在说什么吗? (Nǐ zhīdào tā zài shuō shénme ma?) – Do you know what he is saying?
– 他们在讨论什么? (Tāmen zài tǎolùn shénme?) – What are they discussing?
Common Phrases and Idioms
Understanding the usage of 谁 and 什么 in everyday language is crucial. Here are some common phrases and idioms that incorporate these interrogative pronouns:
Common Phrases with 谁
1. 谁都 (shéi dōu) – Everyone/anyone
– 谁都知道 (Shéi dōu zhīdào) – Everyone knows.
2. 谁也不 (shéi yě bù) – No one
– 谁也不喜欢 (Shéi yě bù xǐhuān) – No one likes it.
Common Phrases with 什么
1. 什么都 (shénme dōu) – Everything/anything
– 什么都可以 (Shénme dōu kěyǐ) – Anything is okay.
2. 什么也不 (shénme yě bù) – Nothing
– 什么也不想要 (Shénme yě bù xiǎng yào) – I don’t want anything.
Practical Examples and Exercises
To solidify your understanding, let’s look at some practical examples and exercises. Try to translate the following sentences into Chinese using 谁 or 什么:
1. Who is your friend?
– 你的朋友是谁? (Nǐ de péngyǒu shì shéi?)
2. What do you want to do?
– 你想做什么? (Nǐ xiǎng zuò shénme?)
3. Who called you?
– 谁给你打电话了? (Shéi gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà le?)
4. What is this?
– 这是什么? (Zhè shì shénme?)
5. Who do you like?
– 你喜欢谁? (Nǐ xǐhuān shéi?)
Now, try to create your own sentences using 谁 and 什么. Practice with a language partner or write them down to reinforce your learning.
Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the correct interrogative pronoun (谁 or 什么):
1. 你知道______在唱歌吗? (Nǐ zhīdào ______ zài chànggē ma?) – Do you know who is singing?
2. 他买了______? (Tā mǎi le ______?) – What did he buy?
3. ______能帮我? (______ néng bāng wǒ?) – Who can help me?
4. 你喜欢______电影? (Nǐ xǐhuān ______ diànyǐng?) – What movie do you like?
5. 他们在讨论______? (Tāmen zài tǎolùn ______?) – What are they discussing?
Answers:
1. 谁 (shéi)
2. 什么 (shénme)
3. 谁 (shéi)
4. 什么 (shénme)
5. 什么 (shénme)
Common Mistakes and Tips
Learning a new language involves making mistakes, but being aware of common pitfalls can help you avoid them.
Common Mistakes
1. Confusing 谁 and 什么: Remember that 谁 is used for people, while 什么 is used for things or concepts.
2. Incorrect word order: Pay attention to the sentence structure. In Chinese, the word order can significantly affect the meaning.
3. Mispronunciation: Ensure you get the tones right, especially for 什么 (shénme). Incorrect tones can change the meaning of the words.
Tips for Mastery
1. Practice Regularly: Use 谁 and 什么 in daily conversations. The more you practice, the more natural it will become.
2. Listen and Imitate: Listen to native speakers and try to imitate their pronunciation and intonation.
3. Use Language Apps: Apps like Pleco, HelloChinese, and Duolingo can provide additional practice and reinforcement.
4. Engage with Native Speakers: If possible, engage in conversations with native speakers to gain real-world experience.
Conclusion
Mastering the interrogative pronouns 谁 and 什么 is a crucial step in becoming proficient in Mandarin Chinese. These pronouns are fundamental for asking questions and gathering information, making them essential tools in everyday communication. By understanding their usage, practicing regularly, and being mindful of common mistakes, you can enhance your language skills and communicate more effectively in Chinese.
Remember, language learning is a journey that requires patience, practice, and persistence. Keep practicing, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Happy learning!
