Understanding how to ask "what is this" in Chinese language opens the door to daily communication, cultural immersion, and faster vocabulary acquisition. Whether you are a traveler navigating a night market in Taipei, a student labeling objects in a Beijing classroom, or a professional examining a prototype in Shenzhen, mastering this essential phrase is the first step toward fluency. The most common and standard way to ask this question is 这是什么 (zhè shì shén me), but the richness of the language offers variations based on context, formality, and regional dialects.
The Standard Phrase: 这是什么 (Zhè shì shén me)
The bedrock of identification questions in Mandarin Chinese is 这是什么. Breaking it down grammatically reveals the logic of the language:
- 这 (zhè) — This / Here
- 是 (shì) — Is / Am / Are (the verb "to be")
- 什么 (shén me) — What
Unlike English, Chinese sentence structure follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order that remains consistent even in questions. g.You do not need to invert the subject and verb (e.Also, , "Is this what? "). You simply replace the unknown noun with shén me The details matter here..
Pronunciation Tips:
- Zhè (4th tone): Sharp, falling tone. Sounds like "juhr" with a strong drop.
- Shì (4th tone): Falling tone. Similar to "shr" (rhymes with "her" but with a retroflex tongue position).
- Shén (2nd tone): Rising tone. Starts mid-pitch and goes up.
- Me (neutral tone): Light, short, and unstressed. It loses its original tone completely.
Pinyin with Tone Marks: Zhè shì shén me?
Adding Politeness and Nuance
While zhè shì shén me is perfectly acceptable among friends, peers, and in casual settings, Chinese culture places high value on hierarchy and respect (lǐ mào). Knowing how to soften the question prevents you from sounding abrupt or rude to elders, superiors, or strangers And that's really what it comes down to..
1. 请问，这是什么？ — The Polite Standard
Adding **请问 ** at the beginning transforms the sentence into "May I ask, what is this?" This is the gold standard for interacting with service staff, asking for directions, or speaking to someone older Practical, not theoretical..
- Qǐng wèn, zhè shì shén me?
2. 这个是什么？ — Slight Emphasis on the Object
Swapping zhè for **这个 ** adds a demonstrative flavor, translating closer to "What is this thing?" It is useful when holding an object or pointing directly at something specific among a group of items That's the whole idea..
- Zhè ge shì shén me?
- Note: Ge is the most common measure word (classifier) for generic objects.
3. 这是什么东西？ — "What Thing Is This?"
Adding **东西 ** (literally "East-West," meaning "thing/object") makes the question more concrete. It can imply curiosity about the nature or material of the object, not just its name. Be careful with tone; said sharply, it can sound like "What on earth is this junk?"
- Zhè shì shén me dōng xi?
The Cantonese Variation: 乜嘢呢 (Mat1 Je5 Ne1)
If your travels or connections lead you to Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong province, or overseas Cantonese communities, Mandarin will not suffice. The Cantonese phrase for "what is this" is 乜嘢呢.
- **乜嘢 ** — What / What thing
- **呢 ** — Sentence-final particle indicating a question about the immediate topic (similar to "this" contextually).
Jyutping Romanization: Mat1 je5 ne1? Pronunciation Guide:
- Mat (High level tone, clipped ending 't').
- Je (Low rising tone).
- Ne (High level tone).
Cantonese speakers often drop the subject "this" entirely because the particle ne1 implies proximity. A polite Cantonese version adds m4 goi1 (excuse me/please) at the start: 唔該，乜嘢呢？
Grammatical Deep Dive: The "Shì" Construction
Understanding the shì (是) sentence pattern unlocks hundreds of identification sentences. The structure is rigid: Subject + 是 + Noun/Identifier
Examples:
- 这是书。 — This is a book. In real terms, * 那是手机。 — That is a mobile phone. * 我是老师。 — I am a teacher.
To form a question, you simply swap the identifier for shén me:
- Subject + 是 + 什么？
This consistency is a blessing for learners. There are no auxiliary verbs (do/does/did), no conjugation, and no gender agreement.
Measure Words: The Hidden Grammar Rule
You cannot simply say "This is a pen" (zhè shì bǐ) without a measure word in specific contexts, though for "What is this?Day to day, " the measure word is often embedded in zhè ge (this [generic item]). Still, when answering, you must use the correct classifier.
Common Measure Words for Answering "What is this?Practically speaking, ":
- **个 ** — General purpose (default if you forget the specific one). * **本 ** — Books, notebooks, magazines. Because of that, * **支 ** — Pens, pencils, chopsticks (long, thin objects). Also, * **张 ** — Flat objects: paper, tables, beds, tickets, maps. * **把 ** — Objects with handles: chairs, knives, umbrellas, keys.
- **辆 ** — Vehicles: cars, bicycles, buses.
- **双 ** — Pairs: shoes, socks, chopsticks.
Example Dialogue:
A: 这是什么？ — What is this? B: 这是一支笔。 — This is a pen. (Using zhī for pen) A: 那个是什么？ — What is that? B: 那是一本书。 — That is a book. (Using běn for book)
Common Scenarios and Contextual Usage
Scenario 1: The Night Market Food Stall
You see a steaming basket of unknown dumplings Surprisingly effective..
- You: 老板，请问这是什么？ — Boss, may I ask what this is?
- Vendor: 这是小笼包。 — These are xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).
Scenario 2: Language Exchange / Classroom
You are practicing vocabulary with a partner, holding up a flashcard or object.
- You: 这个是什么？ — What is this [item I'm holding]?
- Partner: 这是苹果。 — This is an apple.
Scenario 3: Tech Support / Office
A colleague hands you a unfamiliar dongle or component.
- You: 这是什么东西？ — What is this thing / What does this device do?
- Colleague: 这是Type-C转接头。 — This is a Type-C adapter.
Scenario 4: Philosophical or Abstract Contexts
Sometimes "this" refers to a situation, a concept, or a text message Small thing, real impact..
- 这是什么意思？ — What does this mean? (Literal: What is this meaning?)
- 这是什么情况？ — *What is this situation / What
