nǎ 哪 vs shénme 什么 – which vs what
In Mandarin Chinese, choosing between nǎ 哪 and shénme 什么 depends on whether you’re selecting from a known set or asking for a general kind or identity. This short guide shows when to use each word with clear examples.
nǎ 哪
Use nǎ 哪 to ask "which" when you expect the answer to come from a specific group or set. It often appears before a classifier and noun.
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shénme 什么
Use shénme 什么 to ask "what" for general information, categories, or when the set is not limited. It can stand alone or come before a noun.
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Examples
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐉 哪只龙是你的？ | Nǎ zhī lóng shì nǐ de? | Which dragon is yours? | Choosing among dragons |
| 🐲 你要吃什么？ | Nǐ yào chī shénme? | What do you want to eat? | Asking about food |
| 🌸 哪朵花开得最美？ | Nǎ duǒ huā kāi de zuì měi? | Which flower blooms the most beautifully? | Selecting a flower |
| 🧺 篮子里有什么？ | Lánzi lǐ yǒu shénme? | What is in the basket? | Inquiring about contents |
| 🐴 你骑的是哪匹马？ | Nǐ qí de shì nǎ pǐ mǎ? | Which horse are you riding? | Identifying a horse |
| 🎨 这是什么颜色？ | Zhè shì shénme yánsè? | What color is this? | Asking about color |
Summary
nǎ 哪 asks for selection within a known group, while shénme 什么 asks for general identity or category. Think: use nǎ 哪 for "which one" and shénme 什么 for "what kind."
Last updated: Tue Sep 16, 2025