How to Say ‘What is it?’ in Traditional Chinese
是什麼？
shì shén me
[shir shénme]
💬 Usage Tip: Question words stay where the answer would go. Ask 目標是什麼？ and answer 目標是…, with no word-order flip like in English.
Phrase Breakdown
是
shì
[shir]
to be; am/is/are
是 is the verb 'to be' used for identity, emphasis, or agreement.
我也是剛畢業的新鮮人。
I am also a recent graduate.
什麼
shén me
[shénme]
what
Question word for 'what'.
你想買什麼？
What do you want to buy?
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