Flexible Use of Interrogative Pronouns 1

Usage:

In Mandarin Chinese, interrogative pronouns can be used not only to ask questions but also in other constructions to create more complex sentences. Interrogative pronouns include 谁 (shéi), 什么 (shénme), 哪 (nǎ), 怎么 (zěnme), and others.

Interrogative Pronoun "谁" (shéi):

"谁" is used to refer to people and can be translated as "who".

• Example: 这是谁的书？(Zhè shì shéi de shū?) - Whose book is this?
• Example: 谁在门外？(Shéi zài mén wài?) - Who is outside the door?

Interrogative Pronoun "什么" (shénme):

"什么" is used to refer to things or actions and can be translated as "what" or "which".

• Example: 你在做什么？(Nǐ zài zuò shénme?) - What are you doing?
• Example: 这是什么？(Zhè shì shénme?) - What is this?

Interrogative Pronoun "哪" (nǎ):

"哪" is used to indicate a choice among several options and can be translated as "which".

• Example: 你是哪国人？(Nǐ shì nǎ guó rén?) - Which country are you from?
• Example: 哪个是你的？(Nǎge shì nǐ de?) - Which one is yours?

Interrogative Pronoun "怎么" (zěnme):

"怎么" is used to ask about manner or reason and can be translated as "how" or "why".

• Example: 你怎么知道？(Nǐ zěnme zhīdào?) - How did you know?
• Example: 这件事怎么做？(Zhè jiàn shì zěnme zuò?) - How to do this?

Additional Notes:

• Interrogative pronouns can be used in rhetorical questions to express surprise or indignation.
• Understanding the context of the use of interrogative pronouns is important for constructing sentences correctly and communicating effectively in Mandarin Chinese.