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How to Say ‘What is this?’ in Simplified Chinese

这是什么?

zhè shì shén me

[juh shir shummuh]

Phrase Breakdown

zhè

[juh]

this

Used to point to something near the speaker.

Example

这是什么菜?

What dish is this?

shì

[shir]

is

The verb to be, used to identify or describe something.

Example

这是什么?

What is this?

什么

shén me

[shummuh]

what

A question word used to ask for information about something.

Example

这是什么?

What is this?

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