什么 (shí mó) — whatever is said goes

Verb + 什么 (shénme) + (就 (jiù)) + 是 (shì) + 什么 (shénme)

HSK 53.0

Pattern diagram

Who / whatVerb什么就是什么

pale — also possible

Rule structure

In V什么 (shí mó)(就 (jiù))是什么 (shì shí mó), the speaker accepts what has been stated without arguing. A common form uses 说 (shuō): 你说什么就是什么 (nǐ shuō shénme jiù shì shénme), “whatever you say goes.” It may express agreement or acquiescence; 就 (jiù) is optional in the frame.

Examples

你说什么就是什么,我听你的。

Nǐ shuō shénme jiù shì shénme, wǒ tīng nǐ de.

Whatever you say goes; I’ll do as you say.

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Words from this rule

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “whatever is said goes” in Chinese with 什么?

Use the structure: Verb + 什么 (shénme) + (就 (jiù)) + 是 (shì) + 什么 (shénme). For example: 你说什么就是什么,我听你的。 — “Whatever you say goes; I’ll do as you say”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

你说什么就是什么,我听你的。 — “Whatever you say goes; I’ll do as you say”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 5.

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More HSK 3.0 Level 5 grammar rules