Adding 什么 (shén me) to the end of an adjective (or less frequently to a verb) can be used to form a rhetorical question. For example, in the phrase 你急什么？"what are you worried about?" the speaker is implying that there is no need to be worried. Structure: Adj. + 什么 (+ Adj.) ？ Verb + 什么 (+ Verb) ？ Like in English, "what are you worried about" can be a rhetorical question and can also be actually inquiring about what exactly the listener is worried about. The same is true in Chinese, so context and tone of voice is important in understanding what the speaker means. Examples: 紧张什么啊，你不是上过好几次舞台了吗？应该早就习惯了吧。(jǐnzhāng shénme a, nǐ bùshì shàngguò hǎojǐ cì wǔtáile ma? Yīnggāi zǎo jiù xíguànle ba) = What are you nervous for? Haven't you been on stage a bunch of times? You should be used to it by now. 担心什么啊，肯定可以买到票的。(dānxīn shénme a, kěndìng kěyǐ mǎi dào piào de) = What are you worried about? We can definitely buy the tickets. 难过什么啊，以后还会再见的。(nánguò shénme a, yǐhòu hái huì zàijiàn de) = Why are you sad? You'll see me later. 哭什么啊，明天我就带你去买。(kū shénme a, míngtiān wǒ jiù dài nǐ qù mǎi) = What's there to cry about? Tomorrow I'll take you to buy it. 郁闷什么呀，看看这蓝蓝的天空，绿绿的田园，生活多美好啊！(yùmèn shénme ya, kàn kàn zhè lán lán de tiānkōng, lǜlǜ de tiányuán, shēnghuó duō měihǎo a) = Why so sad? Look at the blue sky, the green fields, life is so beautiful! 你急什么急，还早着呢。(nǐ jí shénme jí, hái zǎo zhene) = Why are you so anxious? It's still early. 你哭什么哭，又不是没有你的礼物。(nǐ kū shénme kū, yòu bùshì méiyǒu nǐ de lǐwù) = Why are you crying? Is it not your gift? 你笑什么笑，看我做错了，你很开心吗？(nǐ xiào shénme xiào, kàn wǒ zuò cuòle, nǐ hěn kāixīn ma) = What are you laughing at? Does seeing me make mistakes make you happy? 你说什么说，大家都不说话，就你说话。(nǐ shuō shénme shuō, dàjiā dōu bù shuōhuà, jiù nǐ shuōhuà) = Why are you talking? Everyone else isn't saying a word, it's just you talking. 你看什么看，没见过美女啊？(nǐ kàn shénme kàn, méi jiànguò měinǚ a) = What are you looking at? Haven't you seen a pretty girl before? If the adjective or verb is repeated after the 什么, it acts to give further emphasis. It almost has a tone of incredulity, a bit like "what on earth are you worried/anxious about?" Generally, only single character adjectives can be used in this way. #Chinese course # Adult Chinese Teen Chinese Enterprise Chinese Online Chinese hsk Preparation Summer camp  # Our teachers # More than 10 years teaching experience Master Degree Certificate for teaching chinese as a foreign language   # About us # Founded in 2007 Chinese test and training center 200+ Chinese teachers 5000+ students  # Contact us# Name:fiona Phone number:021-52287809,13918358891 E-mail:info@mandarinmorning.com www.mandarinmorning.com If you are interested to join Mandarin Morning school or want more details about our services, scan the following QR code. ☟   Mandarin Morning Chinese test center attached to Confucius institute headquarters Authorized Test Center and Training Center for International Chinese Language Teacher Certificater 10 years+ ，200 teachers ，more 10000 students，200+companies  |
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