Chinese interrogative pronouns are essential in asking questions in the Chinese language. These pronouns can help you get information from someone or simply express curiosity. There are eight interrogative pronouns in the Chinese language: 什么 (shénme), 谁 (shéi), 哪里 (nǎlǐ), 什么时候 (shénme shíhòu), 为什么 (wèishénme), 怎么 (zěnme), 多少 (duōshǎo), and 哪个 (nǎge).
Each interrogative pronoun serves a specific purpose and can be used in various contexts. Understanding these pronouns will help you ask questions correctly and communicate more effectively in Chinese. In this article, we will explore each interrogative pronoun, provide example sentences, and explain how to use them.
什么 (shénme) – what
The interrogative pronoun 什么 (shénme) is used to ask about things or objects. You can use it to ask about something’s identity, nature, purpose, or quality. It is a versatile pronoun and can be used in different situations, including asking about someone’s job, hobbies, or interests.
Example sentences:
你喜欢吃什么？(Nǐ xǐhuan chī shénme?) – What do you like to eat?
这是什么？(Zhè shì shénme?) – What is this?
你想买什么？(Nǐ xiǎng mǎi shénme?) – What do you want to buy?
他在看什么书？(Tā zài kàn shénme shū?) – What book is he reading?
谁 (shéi) – who
The interrogative pronoun 谁 (shéi) is used to ask about people or individuals. You can use it to ask about someone’s identity, occupation, or relationship with someone else. It is a simple pronoun, but it is often used in daily conversations.
Example sentences:
你是谁？(Nǐ shì shéi?) – Who are you?
你和谁一起来的？(Nǐ hé shéi yìqǐ lái de?) – Who did you come with?
明天谁要开会？(Míngtiān shéi yào kāihuì?) – Who is going to have a meeting tomorrow?
谁是你最好的朋友？(Shéi shì nǐ zuì hǎo de péngyǒu?) – Who is your best friend?
哪里 (nǎlǐ) – where
The interrogative pronoun 哪里 (nǎlǐ) is used to ask about locations or places. You can use it to ask about someone’s address, workplace, or destination. It is an essential pronoun when you travel or visit a new place.
Example sentences:
你住在哪里？(Nǐ zhù zài nǎlǐ?) – Where do you live?
你去哪里旅行？(Nǐ qù nǎlǐ lǚxíng?) – Where are you traveling to?
你们公司在哪里？(Nǐmen gōngsī zài nǎlǐ?) – Where is your company located?
我们应该去哪里吃晚饭？(Wǒmen yīnggāi qù nǎlǐ chī wǎnfàn?) – Where should we go for dinner?
什么时候 (shénme shíhòu) – when
The interrogative pronoun 什么时候 (shénme shíhòu) is used to ask about time or dates. You can use it to ask about someone’s schedule, appointment, or event. It is a critical pronoun when you want to make plans or arrange meetings.
Example sentences:
你什么时候有空？(Nǐ shénme shíhòu yǒu kòng?) – When are you free?
明天你几点起床？(Míngtiān nǐ jǐ diǎn qǐchuáng?) – What time will you wake up tomorrow?
你们公司什么时候开业？(Nǐmen gōngsī shénme shíhòu kāiyè?) – When will your company open?
我们什么时候见面？(Wǒmen shénme shíhòu jiànmiàn?) – When will we meet?
为什么 (wèishénme) – why
The interrogative pronoun 为什么 (wèishénme) is used to ask about reasons or causes. You can use it to ask about someone’s motivation, decision, or action. It is an important pronoun when you want to understand someone’s thinking or behavior.
Example sentences:
你为什么不喜欢他？(Nǐ wèishénme bù xǐhuan tā?) – Why don’t you like him?
你为什么不去上班？(Nǐ wèishénme bù qù shàngbān?) – Why don’t you go to work?
为什么你要选择这个专业？(Wèishénme nǐ yào xuǎnzé zhège zhuānyè?) – Why did you choose this major?
他为什么生气了？(Tā wèishénme shēngqì le?) – Why is he angry?
怎么 (zěnme) – how
The interrogative pronoun 怎么 (zěnme) is used to ask about methods or ways. You can use it to ask about someone’s approach, process, or skill. It is a practical pronoun when you want to learn or improve something.
Example sentences:
你怎么学习汉语？(Nǐ zěnme xuéxí hànyǔ?) – How do you learn Chinese?
你怎么做这个菜？(Nǐ zěnme zuò zhège cài?) – How do you cook this dish?
你怎么打这个游戏？(Nǐ zěnme dǎ zhège yóuxì?) – How do you play this game?
怎么才能成功？(Zěnme cáinéng chéngg)How can you succeed?
多少 (duōshǎo) – how many/how much
The interrogative pronoun 多少 (duōshǎo) is used to ask about quantities or amounts. You can use it to ask about someone’s age, salary, or quantity of something. It is a useful pronoun when you want to obtain specific information.
Example sentences:
你多少岁？(Nǐ duōshǎo suì?) – How old are you?
这个衣服多少钱？(Zhège yīfú duōshǎo qián?) – How much is this shirt?
你们公司有多少员工？(Nǐmen gōngsī yǒu duōshǎo yuángōng?) – How many employees does your company have?
你每天需要喝多少水？(Nǐ měitiān xūyào hē duōshǎo shuǐ?) – How much water do you need to drink every day?
哪个 (nǎge) – which one
The interrogative pronoun 哪个 (nǎge) is used to ask about choices or options. You can use it to ask about someone’s preference or selection. It is a helpful pronoun when you want to make a decision or choose something.
Example sentences:
你喜欢哪个颜色？(Nǐ xǐhuan nǎge yánsè?) – Which color do you like?
这两个手机哪个更好？(Zhè liǎng gè shǒujī nǎge gèng hǎo?) – Which phone is better, these two?
哪个餐厅的食物更好吃？(Nǎge cāntīng de shíwù gèng hǎochī?) – Which restaurant has better food?
这里哪个路口可以左转？(Zhèlǐ nǎge lùkǒu kěyǐ zuǒzhuǎn?) – Which intersection here can turn left?
Conclusion
Interrogative pronouns are essential in the Chinese language, and they help you ask questions about different aspects of life. The eight interrogative pronouns covered in this article are 什么 (shénme), 谁 (shéi), 哪里 (nǎlǐ), 什么时候 (shénme shíhòu), 为什么 (wèishénme), 怎么 (zěnme), 多少 (duōshǎo), and 哪个 (nǎge). Each pronoun serves a specific purpose and is used to ask different types of questions. By mastering these pronouns, you can communicate more effectively in Chinese and obtain the information you need.
Originally posted 2023-07-17 16:25:48.