Learning a new language can be both exhilarating and challenging. One of the fundamental aspects of any language is understanding how to ask questions. In Chinese, pronouns play a crucial role in forming questions, especially when you want to inquire about people and things. This article will delve into the Chinese pronouns for questions, specifically focusing on “who” (谁, shéi or shuí) and “what” (什么, shénme). By the end of this article, you will have a solid grasp of how to use these pronouns effectively in various contexts.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand that Chinese, unlike English, does not rely on verb conjugations or word order changes to form questions. Instead, Chinese uses specific question words and particles. This simplicity can be both an advantage and a challenge for learners.
The pronouns “who” and “what” in Chinese function similarly to their English counterparts but come with unique rules and usages.
Who – 谁 (shéi or shuí)
The Chinese pronoun for “who” is 谁, which can be pronounced as either “shéi” or “shuí.” Both pronunciations are correct, though “shéi” is more commonly used in modern Mandarin. 谁 is used to ask about people and can be used in a variety of contexts.
Let’s look at some basic sentence structures:
1. **Asking Direct Questions:**
In English, you might ask, “Who is that?” In Chinese, you would say:
那是谁? (Nà shì shéi?)
That is who?
Notice that the sentence structure remains quite straightforward. “那” (nà) means “that,” “是” (shì) is the verb “to be,” and “谁” (shéi) is the question pronoun “who.”
2. **Asking About Ownership:**
If you want to ask, “Whose book is this?” you would frame it as:
这是谁的书? (Zhè shì shéi de shū?)
This is whose book?
Here, “这” (zhè) means “this,” “的” (de) is a possessive particle, and “书” (shū) means “book.” The structure remains logical and direct.
3. **Inquiring About Actions:**
To ask, “Who is eating?” you can simply say:
谁在吃饭? (Shéi zài chīfàn?)
Who is eating?
In this sentence, “在” (zài) indicates the present continuous tense, and “吃饭” (chīfàn) means “eating.”
What – 什么 (shénme)
The Chinese pronoun for “what” is 什么 (shénme). This pronoun is used to inquire about things, objects, or actions.
Here are some basic sentence structures:
1. **Asking Direct Questions:**
In English, you might ask, “What is this?” In Chinese, you would say:
这是什么? (Zhè shì shénme?)
This is what?
Here, “这” (zhè) means “this,” “是” (shì) is the verb “to be,” and “什么” (shénme) is the question pronoun “what.”
2. **Inquiring About Actions:**
To ask, “What are you doing?” you would frame it as:
你在做什么? (Nǐ zài zuò shénme?)
You are doing what?
In this sentence, “你” (nǐ) means “you,” “在” (zài) indicates the present continuous tense, “做” (zuò) means “doing,” and “什么” (shénme) is the question pronoun “what.”
3. **Asking About Preferences:**
If you want to ask, “What do you like?” you would say:
你喜欢什么? (Nǐ xǐhuān shénme?)
You like what?
Here, “你” (nǐ) means “you,” “喜欢” (xǐhuān) means “like,” and “什么” (shénme) is the question pronoun “what.”
Combining “Who” and “What” in Complex Sentences
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can start combining these pronouns in more complex sentences.
1. **Who is doing what?**
To ask, “Who is doing what?” you would say:
谁在做什么? (Shéi zài zuò shénme?)
Who is doing what?
In this sentence, “谁” (shéi) means “who,” “在” (zài) indicates the present continuous tense, “做” (zuò) means “doing,” and “什么” (shénme) is the question pronoun “what.”
2. **Who likes what?**
To ask, “Who likes what?” you would frame it as:
谁喜欢什么? (Shéi xǐhuān shénme?)
Who likes what?
Here, “谁” (shéi) means “who,” “喜欢” (xǐhuān) means “like,” and “什么” (shénme) is the question pronoun “what.”
Contextual Usage and Nuances
Understanding the basic structures is essential, but knowing how to use these pronouns in different contexts will make your Chinese sound more natural.
1. **Formal vs. Informal Speech:**
In formal contexts, you might hear “谁” pronounced as “shuí” more often. In casual conversations, “shéi” is more common. The meaning doesn’t change, but being aware of this nuance can help you sound more fluent.
2. **Using “什么” for Emphasis:**
Sometimes, “什么” can be used for emphasis or to express surprise. For example:
你在干什么! (Nǐ zài gàn shénme!)
You are doing what! (What are you doing!)
In this sentence, “干” (gàn) is another word for “doing,” and the exclamation mark indicates surprise or emphasis.
3. **Combining with Other Pronouns:**
You can combine “谁” and “什么” with other pronouns for more specific questions. For example:
谁的什么? (Shéi de shénme?)
Whose what?
In this sentence, “谁的” (shéi de) means “whose,” and “什么” (shénme) is the question pronoun “what.”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learning a new language involves making mistakes. Here are some common errors learners make when using “谁” and “什么,” along with tips to avoid them.
1. **Incorrect Word Order:**
One common mistake is to use English word order when forming questions in Chinese. Remember that Chinese word order is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO), even in questions.
Incorrect: 是谁那? (Shì shéi nà?)
Correct: 那是谁? (Nà shì shéi?)
That is who?
2. **Omitting the Verb:**
Another mistake is omitting the verb “是” (shì) when asking “who” someone is. In Chinese, the verb “to be” is essential in such questions.
Incorrect: 那谁? (Nà shéi?)
Correct: 那是谁? (Nà shì shéi?)
That is who?
3. **Mispronouncing the Pronouns:**
Pronunciation is crucial in Chinese. Make sure you practice the correct tones for “谁” (shéi or shuí) and “什么” (shénme) to avoid misunderstandings.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding, here are some practice exercises. Try to form questions using “谁” and “什么” based on the given scenarios.
1. **Asking about a Person:**
– You see an unfamiliar person at a party.
– Question: __________ (Who is that?)
2. **Inquiring about an Object:**
– You find an interesting gadget on the table.
– Question: __________ (What is this?)
3. **Asking about Ownership:**
– You want to know who owns a particular book.
– Question: __________ (Whose book is this?)
4. **Inquiring about Actions:**
– You see someone doing something unusual.
– Question: __________ (What are you doing?)
5. **Combining Pronouns:**
– You want to know who is responsible for what tasks.
– Question: __________ (Who is doing what?)
Conclusion
Understanding and using pronouns for questions in Chinese, such as “who” (谁, shéi or shuí) and “what” (什么, shénme), is a fundamental skill that will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively. By mastering these pronouns, you can ask about people, objects, and actions with confidence. Remember to pay attention to word order, pronunciation, and context to avoid common mistakes.
With practice, you’ll find that asking questions in Chinese becomes second nature, opening up new opportunities for conversation and deeper cultural understanding. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be asking and answering questions in Chinese with ease!
