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    Chinese Grammar

    Asking 'what kind of' questions with 什么 (shénme) as a modifier

    HSK 1
    Description & Modification
    Questions

    Structure

    什么 + Noun

    Explanation

    什么 can also modify a noun to ask "what kind of" or "which," functioning like a determiner. In this usage it appears directly before a noun. For example, 你喜欢什么电影? means "What kind of movies do you like?" and 他是什么人? means "What kind of person is he?"

    Examples

    • 你平时喜欢听什么音乐?

      nǐ píngshí xǐhuān tīng shénme yīnyuè?

      What kind of music do you usually like to listen to?

    • 你在找什么工作?

      nǐ zài zhǎo shénme gōngzuò?

      What kind of job are you looking for?

    • 她什么颜色的衣服都有。

      tā shénme yánsè de yīfu dōu yǒu.

      She has clothes in every color.