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How to Say ‘Is there something you need?’ in Simplified Chinese

有什么事吗？

yǒu shén me shì ma

[yoh shénme shì ma]

🇨🇳 In China: This is a neutral, slightly guarded reply from someone you've just stopped. It isn't rude. Have your reason ready.

Phrase Breakdown

有什么

yǒu shén me

is there any / what is there

有 means 'to have' or 'there is'. 什么 means 'what'. The 'me' in shénme is light.

Example

你有什么问题？

What questions do you have?

Words in this phrase

有

yǒu

[yoh]

to have; there is

A basic verb meaning to possess or to indicate that something exists.

Example

这份工作有很多学习机会。

This job has many learning opportunities.

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 means 'matter' or 'thing to do'. 吗 turns the sentence into a yes/no question and is said lightly.

Example

你找我有事吗？

Are you looking for me about something?

Words in this phrase

事

shì

[shì]

matter; thing; problem

A noun for an affair or issue; with 没 it means 'no problem'.

Example

你有什么事吗？

Is there something you need?

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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