How to Say ‘What are you drinking?’ in Simplified Chinese
你喝的是什么？
nǐ hē de shì shén me
[nee hē de shì shénme]
💬 Usage Tip: 你喝的 means "the thing you're drinking". 的 after a verb phrase turns it into "the thing that…". Swap the verb: 你吃的是什么？ "What are you eating?".
Phrase Breakdown
你喝的
nǐ hē de
what you're drinking
'喝' means 'drink.' '的' turns 'you drink' into a noun phrase: 'the thing you drink.' The 'de' is neutral and light.
你喝的咖啡很香。
The coffee you're drinking smells great.
Words in this phrase
你
nǐ
[nee]
you
The informal or neutral word for “you,” suitable for peers or casual conversation.
如果对方和你年纪差不多，可以说“认识你”。
If the other person is about your age, you can say “nice to meet you” with 你.
喝
hē
[hē]
to drink
Verb for consuming liquids like water, tea or coffee.
我喝咖啡。
I drink coffee.
的
de
[de]
the one (nominalizer)
Placed after a word to mean 'the ... one', replacing a noun.
我要大的。
I want the big one.
是什么？
shì shén me
is what?
'是' means 'is' and '什么' means 'what.' Say 'shì shénme' with a falling 'shì' and a rising 'shén'.
这是什么？
What is this?
Words in this phrase
是
shì
[shì]
be, is
Used to link the subject with its predicate.
这幅画上写的是诗句。
What is written on this painting are verses.
什么
shén me
[shénme]
what
Question word asking about things.
你想吃什么？
What do you want to eat?
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