shénme 什么 vs nǎr 哪儿 – what vs where
Spoken Description
学习“什么” (shénme)与“哪儿” (nǎr)的区别：官方用法、口语习惯、例句和语音提示。掌握提问地点和内容的区别，提升日常交际信心。配有短片互动练习与图例。
Compare “什么” (shénme) and “哪儿” (nǎr): formal vs conversational usage, example sentences, pronunciation tips, and common question structures. Includes Q&As, sample dialogues, and short audio clips to practice pronunciation and intonation.
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这份简短的指南解释了在日常中文中何时使用 shénme 什么 表示“什么”，以及 nǎr 哪儿 表示“哪里”。每个部分都提供了简明的例子，帮助你在语境中感受它们的区别。
This short guide explains when to use shénme 什么 for “what” and nǎr 哪儿 for “where” in everyday Mandarin. Each section gives quick examples so you can feel the difference in context.
Shénme 什么
使用 shénme 什么 来询问物品、类别或所需信息。它可以用来请求一个对象、一个动作、一个原因或一个解释，具体取决于句子中的位置。
Use shénme 什么 to ask about things, categories, or needed information. It can request an object, an action, a reason, or an explanation depending on sentence placement.
Examples
Zhè shì(what)?
What is this?
Create a question asking 'What is this?' in Mandarin.
Q&A
Nǎr 哪儿
使用 nǎr 哪儿 来询问地点或位置。它询问具体的地点、方向或场所，通常会得到一个地点名称或方向指示作为回答。
Use nǎr 哪儿 to ask about locations or places. It asks for a specific spot, direction, or venue and usually triggers an answer naming a place or giving directions.
Examples
Zhè shì(what)?
What is this?
Create a question asking 'What is this?' in Mandarin.
Q&A
Differences
Shénme 什么 asks about identity or nature of things, while nǎr 哪儿 asks about place. They are not interchangeable because one targets “what” and the other “where.”
shì nǐ de gōngsī?
Where is your company?
Complete the question: '___ (where) shì nǐ de gōngsī?' (Where is your company?)
Related Words
For “what,” related question words include nǎge 哪个 (which one) and jǐ 几 (how many). For “where,” related words are nǎlǐ 哪里 (more formal 哪儿), duìmiàn 对面 (opposite), and fāngxiàng 方向 (direction).
Summary
Use shénme 什么 when asking about things or information and nǎr 哪儿 when asking about location. Practice with short questions to make each one natural in context.
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