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How to Say ‘What can I do for you?’ in Simplified Chinese

有什么事吗？

yǒu shén me shì ma

[yoe shénme shì ma]

💬 Usage Tip: Adding 吗 to the end of a statement turns it into a yes/no question, so 有什么事吗？ is literally "Is there some matter?" Here 什么 means "some" rather than "what", which is why it sounds softer than a direct "What do you want?"

Phrase Breakdown

有什么

yǒu shén me

is there anything / what is there

有 (yǒu) means 'to have / there is'. 什么 (shénme) means 'what'. Together they ask 'is there anything...?'

Example

你有什么问题？

What questions do you have?

Words in this phrase

有

yǒu

[yoe]

have; there is

A common verb meaning to possess something or indicating existence.

Example

听完介绍以后，我有兴趣了解更多。

After hearing the introduction, I am interested in learning more.

什么

shén me

[shénme]

anything; something

In questions, can mean 'anything' rather than 'what'.

Example

你想吃什么吗？

Do you want to eat anything?

事吗？

shì ma

matter? / something?

事 (shì) means 'matter' or 'business'. 吗 (ma) is a light, neutral-tone question particle at the end of a sentence.

Example

你找我有事吗？

Are you looking for me about something?

Words in this phrase

事

shì

[shì]

matter; thing; business

A noun for an affair, issue, or something someone needs.

Example

我有点事，先走了。

I have something to do, I'll go first.

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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