How to Say ‘What can I do?’ in Simplified Chinese
我能做什么？
wǒ néng zuò shén me
[waw nung dzwaw shummuh]
💬 Usage Tip: Chinese usually asks [Subject + 能 + Verb + 什么], with [什么] staying after the verb instead of moving to the front. So [我能做什么？] is literally "I can do what?"
Phrase Breakdown
我
wǒ
[waw]
I; me
First-person pronoun used when talking about oneself.
我能做什么？我可以先从控制饮食开始。
What can I do? I can start by controlling my diet.
能
néng
[nung]
can; be able to
Shows ability or an available option.
我能做什么？您能先保证规律吃饭。
What can I do? You can first make sure to eat meals regularly.
做什么
zuò shén me
do what; what to do
A question phrase asking about an action or task.
你现在做什么？
What are you doing now?
Words in this phrase
做
zuò
[dzwaw]
to do
Used for taking action, making changes, or carrying out advice.
我能做什么？每天做一点运动就很好。
What can I do? Doing a little exercise every day is already very good.
什么
shén me
[shummuh]
what
Question word used to ask for information or suggestions.
我能做什么？先看看医生建议什么。
What can I do? First see what the doctor recommends.
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