谁？
shéi?
Who?
How to ask "What is this?" in Chinese
这是什么？
zhè shì shénme?
What is this?
Character breakdown
Grammar and structure
This is a question: 这 (zhè) means 'this', 是 (shì) means 'is', 什么 (shénme) means 'what'.
Variations and politeness
这是什么东西？
zhè shì shénme dōngxi?
What is this thing? — More colloquial, with 'thing' added.
那是什么？
nà shì shénme?
What is that? — Used for something farther away.
Mini dialogue
A
这是什么？
zhè shì shénme?
What is this?
B
这是一个手机。
zhè shì yī gè shǒujī.
This is a mobile phone.
When to use it
Appropriate
- When you see an object you don't recognize and want to know its name.
- When you point at something close to you or in your hand.
- In everyday conversation with friends, family, or acquaintances.
Avoid when
- When asking about a person; use 'who' instead.
- When the object is far away; use 'that' instead of 'this'.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say 'What is this?' in Chinese?
You say '这是什么？' (zhè shì shénme?).
How do you pronounce '这是什么？'?
It is pronounced 'zhè shì shénme?' with the fourth tone on 'zhè', fourth tone on 'shì', second tone on 'shén', and neutral tone on 'me'.
When do you use '这是什么？'?
Use it when you see something unfamiliar and want to know what it is. It is a basic, neutral question suitable for everyday situations.
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