ChineseGrammarWiki/Programmes/B2.old/Grammar-wiki-B2-57.txt

{{Grammar Box}} 
Adding 什么 (shénme) to the end of a verb can be used to change a sentence into a rhetorical question. This usage is often used with [[separable verb]]s.

== Structure ==

The most common structure you will see is:

<div class="jiegou">

Verb + 什么 + Obj.

</div>

== Examples ==

This usage is best illustrated with examples:

<div class="liju">

*这么 大 年纪 了，结 <em>什么</em> 婚啊！ <span class="expl">The speaker is implying that getting married at this age is a ridiculous notion.</span>
*道 <em>什么</em> 歉，又 不是 你 的 错。 <span class="expl">The speaker is implying that apologizing is completely unnecessary.</span>
*过 <em>什么</em> 年 啊，还 得 又 送 红包 又 送礼。 <span class="expl">The speaker is implying that celebrating Chinese New Year isn't economically feasible.</span>
*没有 钱 看 <em>什么</em> 电影。 <span class="expl">The speaker is implying that there's no money to watch a movie.</span>
*还 吃 <em>什么</em> 饭，要 迟到 了。 <span class="expl">The speaker is implying that there's no time to eat.</span>

</div> 

Note that the questions above would likely be between friends, or at least two people who are quite familiar with each other. Tone of voice and context is key.

==See also==
*[[Challenging an Adjective with "shenme"]]

==Sources and further reading==

[[Category: B2 grammar points]]
[[Category:Verb phrases]]
{{Basic Grammar|什么|B2|Verb + 什么 + Obj.|没有 钱 看 <em>什么</em> 电影。|grammar point|ASGN3IGH}}
{{Similar|Challenging an Adjective with "shenme"}}
{{Used for|Expressing quality}}
{{Used for|Expressing opinions}}
{{POS|Verbs}}