HSK 4
什么的
shénmede
and stuff like that
Structure
Noun 1, Noun 2, Noun 3 + 什么的
How it works
The particle '什么的' is used after a list of nouns or phrases to indicate 'and so on', 'and things like that', or 'etcetera'. It implies that there are other similar items in the category that have not been explicitly mentioned. It is much more common in spoken Chinese than in formal writing.
Examples
周末我喜欢在家里看书、睡觉什么的。
Zhōumò wǒ xǐhuān zài jiālǐ kànshū, shuìjiào shénmede.
On weekends, I like to read, sleep, and stuff like that at home.
超市里卖衣服、鞋子、帽子什么的。
Chāoshì lǐ mài yīfu, xiézi, màozi shénmede.
The supermarket sells clothes, shoes, hats, and so forth.
这个书包里有课本、笔、笔记本什么的。
Zhège shūbāo lǐ yǒu kèběn, bǐ, bǐjìběn shénmede.
There are textbooks, pens, notebooks, and things like that in this schoolbag.
Common mistakes
Do not confuse '什么的' with '什么'. '什么' is used to ask 'what', while '什么的' acts as an enumerative particle. Also, avoid using '什么' on its own at the end of a list to mean 'etc.'
Tip
In formal writing, '什么的' is often replaced by '等等' (děng děng). Use '什么的' to sound more natural and casual in daily conversations.
More HSK 4 grammar
See 什么的 in real Chinese
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