RealHSK

HSK 3Lesson 2 of 15 · 5 grammar points

Questions that no longer ask

Question words can ask for information, refer to any member of a set or leave a referent indefinite. 他想吃点儿什么 is not necessarily a question. Inclusive reference and alternatives also depend on who is present in the conversation.

Learning goals (5)
  • Asking about method with 怎样.
  • Wh-words meaning any.
  • Indefinite wh-words.
  • Others and inclusive we.
  • Other items.

怎样

Asking about method with 怎样

怎样 before a verb asks how an action should or does occur; as a predicate it can ask about a state.

这个字怎样读？

Zhè ge zì zěn yàng dú?

How is this character read?

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Pitfall: Do not add 吗 to this ordinary information question.

谁都

Wh-words meaning any

谁都、什么都 express unrestricted reference. Repeated wh-words can match a choice to its consequence: 想吃什么就吃什么.

谁都可以参加。

Shéi dōu kě yǐ cān jiā.

Anyone may participate.

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Pitfall: 谁都 is not a question; scope with negation still matters.

不定指用法

Indefinite wh-words

In suitable non-question contexts, 什么 or 谁 can refer to an unspecified thing or person.

我想吃点儿什么。

Wǒ xiǎng chī diǎnr shén me.

I'd like something to eat.

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Pitfall: Do not force a question translation when the sentence offers an indefinite referent.

别人、咱们

Others and inclusive we

别人 means other people. 咱们 usually includes the listener, while 我们 may include or exclude them depending on context.

咱们一起走吧。

Zán men yī qǐ zǒu ba.

Let's go together.

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Pitfall: Do not claim 我们 always excludes the listener.

别的、其他

Other items

别的 and 其他 refer to alternatives outside the current item or group. 别的 may stand alone; 其他 commonly precedes a noun.

你还有别的问题吗？

Nǐ hái yǒu bié de wèn tí ma?

Do you have any other questions?

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Pitfall: 别的 here means other, not a command to stop.

Source details (official syllabus)

  • Asking about method with 怎样

    Syllabus item
    怎样
    Category
    疑问代词
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L3-007
    PDF page
    392 (printed 389)

  • Wh-words meaning any

    Syllabus item
    疑问代词的非疑问用法：（1）任指用法：①疑问代词+都……②疑问代词+疑问代词
    Category
    疑问代词
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L3-008
    PDF page
    392 (printed 389)

  • Indefinite wh-words

    Syllabus item
    （2）不定指用法
    Category
    疑问代词
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L3-009
    PDF page
    392 (printed 389)

  • Others and inclusive we

    Syllabus item
    别人、咱们
    Category
    人称代词
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L3-010
    PDF page
    392 (printed 389)

  • Other items

    Syllabus item
    别的、其他
    Category
    指示代词
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L3-011
    PDF page
    392 (printed 389)