How to Say ‘What does it mean?’ in Simplified Chinese
是什么意思？
shì shén me yì sī
[shir shénme ee suh]
💬 Usage Tip: Question words like 什么 (shén me) stay in the same spot the answer would go, so no 吗 is needed. Put the unknown word in front: 红包是什么意思？ "What does red envelope mean?"
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.
你有什么想法？
What are your thoughts?
意思
yì sī
[ee suh]
meaning
Refers to the meaning, sense, or idea of a word or phrase.
这个词的意思很简单。
The meaning of this word is very simple.
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