HSK 3
什么 (any)
shénme
any
Structure
Subject + Verb + (什么) + Noun
How it works
In HSK 3, '什么' is often used as an indefinite pronoun meaning 'any' or 'anything' rather than a question word. It typically appears in negative sentences to mean 'not... anything' or in questions where the speaker is asking if 'any' of something exists.
Examples
周末你有什么打算吗？
Zhōumò nǐ yǒu shénme dǎsuàn ma?
Do you have any plans for the weekend?
我不饿，不想吃什么。
Wǒ bù è, bù xiǎng chī shénme.
I'm not hungry, I don't want to eat anything.
要是你有什么问题，就告诉我。
Yàoshi nǐ yǒu shénme wèntí, jiù gàosù wǒ.
If you have any questions, just tell me.
Common mistakes
Using '什么' in a statement to mean 'anything' without a negative word or an 'if' clause; in positive declarative sentences, '什么都' is usually required instead.
Tip
If a sentence ends with a question mark but doesn't feel like it's asking 'What?', it probably means 'any'. Check for negative words like '不' or '没' to see if it means 'nothing/anything'.
More HSK 3 grammar
See 什么 (any) in real Chinese
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