🤝❓

How to Say ‘Can I help you?’ in Traditional Chinese

有什麼事嗎？

yǒu shén me shì ma

[yoe shénme shì ma]

🇹🇼 In Taiwan: This is what a stranger in Taiwan will usually say when you stop them. It sounds neutral and a little guarded, so a warm, quick explanation of why you approached them goes a long way.

Phrase Breakdown

有什麼

yǒu shén me

is there any / what is there

有 (yǒu) means 'to have' or 'there is', and 什麼 (shénme) means 'what'. 麼 is light, in the neutral tone.

Example

冰箱裡有什麼？

What's in the fridge?

Words in this phrase

有

yǒu

[yoe]

to have; there is/are

Used to show possession or that something exists or is available.

Example

我們有很多交流機會。

We have many opportunities to interact.

什麼

shén me

[shénme]

what

Question word for 'what'.

Example

你想買什麼？

What do you want to buy?

事嗎？

shì ma

matter? (as in 'what's up?')

事 (shì) means 'matter' or 'thing', and 嗎 (ma) is the question particle. Together with the first part, the phrase means 'What's up? / Do you need something?'

Example

你找我有事嗎？

Did you need me for something?

Words in this phrase

事

shì

[shì]

matter; thing; business

A matter, affair, or reason someone wants something.

Example

我有一件事想問你。

I have something I want to ask you.

嗎

[ma]

question particle

A sentence-final particle used to turn a statement into a yes-no question.

Example

你喜歡這個活動嗎？

Do you like this event?

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