Question words as “some- / any-” · 疑问词表示“某 / 任何”
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-”. 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. · 陈述句里的疑问词 = 某……:吃点什么。
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? · 在 我想吃点什么 里,什么 是什么意思?
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. · 把疑问词和它的不定意义连起来。
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. · 疑问词总是需要问号。
Not here — in a statement it just means “some- / any-” (no “?”). · 这里不需要 —— 在陈述句里它表示“某 / 任何”,没有问号。
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.