How to Say ‘What are they?’ in Simplified Chinese
是什么？
shì shén me
[shir Shénme]
💬 Usage Tip: 什么 goes where the answer will go, so you keep normal word order: 圆形是什么？ gets the answer 圆形是城市. You don't move the question word to the front the way English does.
Phrase Breakdown
是
shì
[shir]
to be; is; are
A linking verb meaning 'to be.' It connects a subject with identity or description.
她是医生。
She is a doctor.
什么
shén me
[Shénme]
what
Asks for information.
这是什么？
What is this?
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