Question words as “some- / any-” · Palabras interrogativas como “some- / any-”
An indefinite choice is deliberately unnamed
- You feel hungry but have not chosen a specific food.
- 我想吃点什么。 — 什么 leaves the food unspecified: something to eat.
An indefinite choice is deliberately unnamed
- You feel hungry but have not chosen a specific food.
- I / me我want / think / miss想variant of 吃吃point点what什么。 — what什么 leaves the food unspecified: something to eat.
You feel hungry but have not chosen a specific food. What does 我想吃点什么。 communicate?
什么 leaves the food unspecified: something to eat. Context and sentence form decide whether a question word asks a question or is indefinite. 我不知道他要吃什么 is an embedded question, not automatically a statement that he wants any food.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is Question words as “some- / any-” · Palabras interrogativas como “some- / any-”. Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
I我want想eat吃a bit点something什么。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: I want to eat something: 我想吃点 ____。
A question word in a statement = some-: 吃点什么 = eat something. · Una palabra interrogativa en una afirmación = some-: 吃点什么 = comer algo.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, 我想吃点什么。: 什么 leaves the food unspecified: something to eat.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, I / me我want / think / miss想variant of 吃吃point点what什么。: what什么 leaves the food unspecified: something to eat.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
In 我想吃点什么, what does 什么 mean? · En 我想吃点什么, ¿qué significa 什么?
In this particular sentence 什么 leaves the food unnamed. A question word inside a statement can instead introduce an embedded question.
Match each question word to its indefinite meaning. · Empareja cada palabra interrogativa con su significado indefinido.
These are possible indefinite readings in suitable frames. Context determines whether each word is indefinite or interrogative.
Know the boundary
- Context and sentence form decide whether a question word asks a question or is indefinite.
- 我不知道他要吃什么 is an embedded question, not automatically a statement that he wants any food.
Know the boundary
- Context and sentence form decide whether a question word asks a question or is indefinite.
- I / me我not不to know知道he / him他want / will / need要variant of 吃吃what什么 is an embedded question, not automatically a statement that he wants any food.
A question word always needs a question mark. · Una palabra interrogativa siempre necesita un signo de interrogación.
Not here — in a statement it just means “some- / any-” (no “?”). · No aquí — en una afirmación solo significa “some- / any-” (sin “?”).
Every question word in a sentence without a question mark has an indefinite meaning.
Context and sentence form decide whether a question word asks a question or is indefinite. 我不知道他要吃什么 is an embedded question, not automatically a statement that he wants any food. 什么 leaves the food unspecified: something to eat.
Use the distinction
- 什么 leaves the food unspecified: something to eat.
- Context and sentence form decide whether a question word asks a question or is indefinite. 我不知道他要吃什么 is an embedded question, not automatically a statement that he wants any food.
Read the full reference: HSK 3 grammar — Basic sentence patterns.
Use the distinction
- what什么 leaves the food unspecified: something to eat.
- Context and sentence form decide whether a question word asks a question or is indefinite. I / me我not不to know知道he / him他want / will / need要variant of 吃吃what什么 is an embedded question, not automatically a statement that he wants any food.
Read the full reference: HSK 3 grammar — Basic sentence patterns.