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How to Say ‘Is something the matter?’ in Simplified Chinese

有什么事吗？

yǒu shén me shì ma

[yoe shénme shì ma]

🇨🇳 In China: This is the natural reply when a stranger stops you, and it's neutral rather than suspicious, so don't read it as unfriendly.

Phrase Breakdown

有什么

yǒu shén me

is there anything / what is there

有 (yǒu) means 'to have' or 'there is', and 什么 (shénme) means 'what'. Say 什么 lightly: shén-me.

Example

有什么问题？

Is there any problem?

Words in this phrase

有

yǒu

[yoe]

have; there is

A common verb meaning to possess something or indicating existence.

Example

听完介绍以后，我有兴趣了解更多。

After hearing the introduction, I am interested in learning more.

什么

shén me

[shénme]

what

Question word asking about things.

Example

你想吃什么？

What do you want to eat?

事吗？

shì ma

matter? / something?

事 (shì) means 'matter' or 'thing to do'. 吗 (ma) turns the sentence into a yes/no question. Together: 'What's up?' or 'Can I help you?'

Example

你有事吗？

Do you need something?

Words in this phrase

事

shì

[shì]

matter; thing; business

A noun for an affair, issue, or something someone needs.

Example

我有点事，先走了。

I have something to do, I'll go first.

吗

[ma]

question particle

A sentence-final particle used to turn a statement into a yes-no question.

Example

你是第一次来吗？这里的“吗”表示提问。

Is this your first time here? Here, 吗 marks a question.

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