what
US
UK what pron: (question: tell me) (疑问代词)
SC 什么，什么样的人，什么样的事物 shén me ，shén me yàng de rén，shén me yàng de shì wù
TC 什麼
TC 什麼
What do you want to eat?
您想吃什么？
what adj: (which)
SC 哪 nǎ
TC 哪
TC 哪
SC 哪个 nǎ ，nǎ ge
TC 哪個
TC 哪個
What make is your car? What colour is it?
你的车是什么牌子的？是什么颜色的？
what pron: (that which is) (关系代词)
SC …那样的人（或事物） nà yàng de rén huò shì wù
What surprises me is that the dog ever found its way home.
让我惊讶的是狗总是能找到回家的路。
what interj: (repeat what you said) (请对方重复)
SC 什么，请再说一遍 shén me ，qǐng zài shuō yí biàn
TC 什麼
TC 什麼
What? I can't hear you.
你说什么? 我听不见。
what interj: (expressing surprise) (表示惊讶)
SC 什么，不会吧 shén me ，bú huì ba
TC 什麼
TC 什麼
What! You didn't really do that?
不会吧！你不会真干了那种事吧？
what pron: (subject: questions) (作主语的疑问代词)
SC 什么 shén me
TC 什麼
TC 什麼
What is your name? What's your favourite colour?
你叫什么名字？你最喜欢的颜色是什么？
what pron: (object: that which) (作宾语代词)
SC 所…的事 suǒ de shì
He did what I told him to do.
我做了我所要求的事。
what adv: (to what extent?)
SC 哪些方面 nǎ xiē fāng miàn
SC 什么范围 nǎ xiē fāng miàn，shén me fàn wéi
What do you care?
你在意哪些方面？
what adv: (to what degree?)
SC 到什么程度 dào shén me chéng dù
What will you suffer for that useless person you love so much?
你愿意为你深爱的那个无用之人忍受到什么程度？
what pron: (health) (指身体健康)
SC 哪里，哪个部位 nǎ lǐ，nǎ gè bù wèi
TC 哪裡 / 哪裏
TC 哪裡 / 哪裏
What hurts? Is it your kidney?
哪个部位疼？肾区吗？
what pron: (character) (性格、个性)
SC 什么样，怎样 shén me yàng，zěn yàng
What is he like? Can he be trusted?
他人怎样？能够信任吗？
what pron: (identity)
SC 什么 shén me
TC 什麼
TC 什麼
SC 什么东西 shén me ，shén me dōng xī
What is that?
那是什么？
what pron: (occupation) (职业)
SC 什么工作 shén me gōng zuò
TC 什麼工作
TC 什麼工作
SC 营生手段
What do you do for a living in the winter?
你冬天靠什么营生？
what pron: (importance) (重要性)
SC 怎样，什么样 zěn yàng，shén me yàng
What does it matter?
有什么关系？
what pron: (how much?) (指价格)
SC 多少 duō shǎo
TC 多少
TC 多少
What is the price?
价格多少？
what pron: UK, dated (Don't you agree?) (用在句末)
SC 你觉得呢？
SC 同意吗？
SC 是不是？
She's an absolutely lovely girl, what!
and God knows what adv: informal (and [sth] unknown) (非正式用语)
SC 鬼才知道，天知道 guǐ cái zhī dào，tiān zhī dào
I sent him out to do the shopping and he came back with a new TV and God knows what.
and what have you expr: informal (and the like, and similar) (非正式用语)
SC 诸如此类，等等 zhū rú cǐ lèi，děng děng
TC 諸如此類，等等
TC 諸如此類，等等
and what not adv: informal (and similar) (非正式用语)
SC 诸如此类，等等 zhū rú cǐ lèi，děng děng
TC 諸如此類，等等
TC 諸如此類，等等
Be careful what you wish for. v expr: ([sth] desirable may have drawbacks)
SC 要慎重许愿。，别轻易许愿。
but what can you do? expr: informal (expressing resignation)
SC 但又能怎样？
SC 但又如何？
The workers may object, but what can you do; the project has to be done on time.
come what may adv: (whatever happens)
SC 不论发生什么事情 bú lùn fā shēng shén me shì qíng
I'll remain happy come what may.
comprehend what vtr: (understand)
SC 理解是什么
I just cannot comprehend what made you do it.
我真的无法理解你为什么这么做。
be all it's cracked up to be, be what it's cracked up to be v expr: (be as good as claimed)
SC 并没有所说的那么好
SC 徒有虚名
SC 名不副实
That film's not all it's cracked up to be; I didn't enjoy it at all!
debate what/whether vtr: (try to decide)
SC 辩论 biàn lùn
TC 辯論
TC 辯論
SC 争论 biàn lùn ，zhēng lùn
TC 爭論
TC 爭論
SC 讨论 biàn lùn ，tǎo lùn
TC 討論
TC 討論
The government is debating whether to hold a referendum on this topic.
政府正在讨论是否就此问题进行全民公决。
determine whether/what/why/who vtr: (facts: ascertain)
SC 搞清
SC 查清 chá qīng
TC 查清
TC 查清
"We must determine what exactly happened that night," said Inspector Brown.
“我们必须查清当晚究竟发生了什么。”调查员布朗说。
do what is needed v expr: (take necessary action)
SC 做必要的事 zuò bì yào de shì
SC 采取必要的行动 zuò bì yào de shì，cǎi qǔ bì yào de xíng dòng
I know you don't want to put her in a home, but you have got to do what is needed.
Do what there is to do. interj: (Take the necessary action.)
SC 做必要的事 zuò bì yào de shì
SC 采取必要的行动 zuò bì yào de shì，cǎi qǔ bì yào de xíng dòng
do what you can v expr: (do everything possible)
SC 尽你的全力 jìn nǐ de quán lì
do what you like v expr: (do whatever you wish to do)
SC （你）想怎样就怎样 nǐ xiǎng zěn yàng jiù zěn yàng
SC 别客气 nǐ xiǎng zěn yàng jiù zěn yàng，bié kè qì
TC 別客氣
TC 別客氣
Since you've finished your work, do what you like for the rest of the day.
do with what you've got, make do with what you've got v expr: (cope, manage)
SC 利用你现有的资源做某事 lì yòng nǐ xiàn yǒu de zī yuán zuò mǒu shì
dread to think what/how/who v expr: (find unpleasant to imagine)
SC 不敢想
SC 害怕去想
I dread to think how the victim's family must be feeling.
for what it's worth adv: informal (in my opinion)
SC 不管怎么说 bù guǎn zěn me shuō
SC 在我看来 bù guǎn zěn me shuō ，zài wǒ kàn lái
I know you won't change, but for what it's worth, I think that skirt looks awful on you.
for what reason adv: (why)
SC 为什么 wèi shén me
TC 為什麼
TC 為什麼
SC 因为什么原因 wèi shén me ，yīn wèi shén me yuán yīn
SC 有什么理由 wèi shén me ，yǒu shén me lǐ yóu
For what reason are you two hours late arriving home?
get what you deserve v expr: (for good actions)
SC 得到相应回报
SC 善有善报
If you follow the rules and obey all guidelines, you will get what you deserve.
get what you deserve v expr: (for bad actions)
SC 恶有恶报 è yǒu è bào
TC 惡有惡報
TC 惡有惡報
SC 活该 è yǒu è bào，huó gāi
SC 得了报应 è yǒu è bào，dé le bào yìng
If you deliberately break the rules and disregard authority, you will get what you deserve.
Guess what! interj: informal (used to announce news) (非正式用语，用于宣布某消息前)
SC 你猜怎样
SC 知道吗？
Guess what, I got the job!
have what it takes vi: expr (be able or qualified for [sth]) (习惯表达)
SC 称职，具备…的条件 chèn zhí，jù bèi de tiáo jiàn
Do you have what it takes to become a soldier?
in what way adv: (how)
SC 如何 rú hé
TC 如何
TC 如何
SC 怎样 rú hé，zěn yàng
SC 以何种方式 rú hé，yǐ hé zhǒng fāng shì
inquire as to whether/when/how/who/what, enquire as to whether/when/how/who/what vtr: formal (with clause: ask)
SC 询问 xún wèn
TC 詢問
TC 詢問
I am writing to inquire as to whether your company has any vacancies.
我来信是想询问贵公司是否有职位空缺。
just what the doctor ordered n: figurative, informal ([sth] needed and welcomed)
SC 正合我心意 zhèng hé wǒ xīn yì
SC 正是我需要的 zhèng hé wǒ xīn yì，zhèng shì wǒ xū yào de
A week's holiday in the sun was just what the doctor ordered.
know that, know who, know what, know why vtr: (be aware)
SC 知道 zhī dào
TC 知道
TC 知道
SC 清楚 zhī dào，qīng chǔ
TC 清楚
TC 清楚
Does he know that we've arrived?
他知道我们已经到了吗？
learn who, learn what, learn why vtr + pron: (details, reasons: ascertain)
SC 查明 chá míng
TC 查明
TC 查明
SC 弄清楚 chá míng，nòng qīng chǔ
SC 确定 chá míng，què dìng
TC 確定
TC 確定
After weeks of work, the detective finally learned who the killer was.
那侦探工作了几周之后，终于查到了凶手是谁。
mean what you say v expr: (speak sincerely)
SC 当真 dàng zhēn
TC 當真
TC 當真
SC 认真 dàng zhēn，rèn zhēn
TC 認真
TC 認真
Does he mean what he says, or is he just making an empty promise?
no matter what adv: (whatever)
SC 不管什么 bù guǎn shén me
TC 不管什麼
TC 不管什麼
We need to get that money, no matter what!
无论如何，我们都要拿到那笔钱！
no matter what expr: (with clause: regardless of [sth])
SC 无论 wú lùn
TC 無論
TC 無論
SC 不管 wú lùn，bù guǎn
TC 不管
TC 不管
Jason is always cheerful, no matter what life hands him.
不管生活如何，杰森总是很开朗。
What's on your mind? interj: (what are you thinking?)
SC 你在想什么？
realize how/what/who, also UK: realise how/what/who vtr + conj: (be aware) (后接疑问词)
SC 意识到 yì shí dào
TC 意識到
TC 意識到
He doesn't realize how important this is for me.
他没意识到这对我是多么重要。
reap what you sow v expr: figurative (face consequences of your actions)
SC 种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆
Say what! interj: (expressing astonishment or outrage) (表示震惊或不快)
SC 说什么？
see what can be done v expr: (try to find solution)
SC 看看能做些什么 kàn kàn néng zuò xiē shén me
The mechanic said he'd see what can be done to repair my car.
so what? interj: informal (I don't care)
SC 那又怎么样 nà yòu zěn me yàng
Okay, so I look fat in these jeans – so what?
好吧，那就是说我穿这条牛仔裤看起来很胖，但那又怎么样？
so what! interj: informal (who cares?)
SC 那又怎样！
SC 那又如何！
So you made a minor mistake! So what!
你犯了一个小错误！可那又怎样呢！
so what if conj: (it's irrelevant)
SC 就算…又怎么样
So what if I enjoy a beer now and then?
就算我现在喜欢喝啤酒又怎么样？
so what else is new interj: informal (not surprised)
SC 这有什么新鲜的？ zhè yǒu shén me xīn xiān de ？
Yes, you're late again—so what else is new?
to what extent conj: (the degree to which)
SC 到…程度 dào chéng dù
To what extent do you think this program will affect young people?
你觉得这个项目会影响年轻群体到多大程度？
to what extent adv: (to what degree)
SC 到何种程度 dào hé zhǒng chéng dù
We know that schools will be targeted in the upcoming budget cuts, but we do not yet know to what extent.
我们知道学校计划削减下一次的预算，但我们还不知道具体要削减多少。
what a life! interj: (expressing despair or exasperation) (抱怨)
SC 这是什么日子！ zhè shì shén me rì zi ！
George works more than 80 hours a week. What a life!
what a pity! interj: informal (expressing disappointment) (非正式用语)
SC 真遗憾！真可惜！ zhēn yí hàn zhēn kě xī
What a pity! - he had so much potential!
what a pong! interj: informal (that smells very bad) (非正式用语)
SC 好臭！
SC 臭不可闻！
what a shame! interj: informal (expressing disappointment) (非正式用语)
SC 真遗憾！真可惜！ zhēn yí hàn zhēn kě xī
Oh what a shame! - I can't go to the party because I have a bad cold.
what about ...? expr: (with noun: concern) (表示关心)
SC ...怎么样？
I could cancel our visit, but what about Grandma? Won't she be upset?
What about ...? expr: (with noun: suggestion) (表示建议)
SC ...怎么样？
What about pizza for dinner tonight? That car is too expensive; what about this one?
What about ...? expr: (with gerund: suggestion) (表示建议)
SC 去...怎么样？
What about seeing a movie tonight?
What are you up to? expr: (what are you doing now?)
SC 你在干什么？
"What are you up to now?" a voice asked Sara when she answered the phone.
what do I care? interj: (I don't care)
SC 我才不管呢！谁管呢! wǒ cái bù guǎn ne ！shuí guǎn ne !
If you want to ruin your life by quitting school, what do I care?
What do you do? expr: (What is your job?)
SC 你在哪高就？
SC 你从事什么工作？
What do you know!, Well, what do you know! interj: informal (expressing surprise) (表示惊讶)
SC 你看怪不怪！真想不到！
Hey, what do you know! - we got here on time after all!
What do you know? interj: informal (you have not informed enough to comment)
SC 你知道个什么！ nǐ zhī dào gè shén me
You've never even been there! - what do you know?
What do you mean? expr: (asking for clarification)
SC 你是什么意思？
I don't know the word "combustion"--what do you mean?
What do you think? expr: (asking opinion)
SC 你觉得如何？
SC 你认为呢？
Does this color look good on me? What do you think?
what does it matter? interj: (I don't care)
SC 有什么关系呢？ yǒu shén me guān xì ne ？
So you're earning more than me – what does it matter?
What else? expr: (is there something additional?)
SC 还有什么？
We need zucchini, corn, chicken, olive oil—what else?
what for?: informal (why? to what purpose?) (非正式用语)
SC 为什么？ wèi shén me
TC 為什麼？
TC 為什麼？
You bought another hat? What for? You already have lots.
What gives? interj: informal (what's going on?)
SC 怎么回事？
SC 发生什么了？
What happened? expr: (What occurred?)
SC 发生了什么？
SC 怎么了？ zěn me le
what have you n: slang (the rest, et cetera)
SC 等等 děng děng
TC 等等
TC 等等
SC 之类 děng děng，zhī lèi
My junk drawer's full of paper clips, old photos, sunglasses, and what have you.
what if conj: (supposing)
SC 如果…将会怎么样 rú guǒ jiāng huì zěn me yàng
SC 如果…怎么办？
What if she never comes back?
如果她再也不回来怎么办？
what is more adv: (moreover, in addition)
SC 而且 ér qiě
TC 而且
TC 而且
SC 除此以外 ér qiě，chú cǐ yǐ wài
The food served in that restaurant is not very good and, what is more, it's overpriced.
那家餐厅的菜不是很好吃，而且，价格还很贵。
what lies ahead? interj: (what will happen in the future)
SC 未来的道路上有什么等着？将来会发生什么？ wèi lái de dào lù shàng yǒu shén me děng zhe ？jiāng lái huì fā shēng shén me ？
With these guys in office who knows what lies ahead?
What luck! interj: (that is fortunate)
SC 运气太好了！
SC 太幸运了！
What on earth ...? interj: informal (expressing incomprehension) (非正式用语)
SC …到底怎么回事？ dào dǐ zěn me huí shì
What on earth are you trying to do coming in yelling at me?
what on earth pron: informal (what)
SC 到底是什么
You still haven't explained what on earth you're doing here.
what the deuce interj: informal, euphemism, dated (surprise, bewilderment)
SC 究竟，到底 jiū jìng，dào dǐ
TC 究竟，到底
TC 究竟，到底
SC 真见鬼！活见鬼！
What the deuce has gone on here?
What the d***ens? interj: euphemism, dated (surprise, bewilderment)
SC 究竟，到底 jiū jìng，dào dǐ
TC 究竟，到底
TC 究竟，到底
SC 我的天啊 wǒ de tiān a
What the d***ens was all that about?
What the f***? interj: vulgar, offensive, slang (disbelief)
SC 妈的，见鬼 jiàn guǐ
Julie saw the damage to her brand new car and exclaimed, "What the f***?"
朱莉看到她的新车损坏，喊道：“见鬼！”
What the f***? interj: vulgar, offensive, slang (incomprehension)
SC 搞什么？
SC 到底怎么回事？
"What the f***?" said Eugene, staring at the instructions and scratching his head.
“搞什么？”尤金说，看着手头的说明书，不住地挠头。
what the f*** expr: vulgar, offensive, slang (what)
SC 什么 shén me
TC 什麼
TC 什麼
What the f*** do you think you're doing?
你到底在做什么？
What the heck? What the devil? interj: slang (disbelief, incomprehension)
SC 搞什么鬼？
what the heck, what the devil pron: slang (incomprehension)
SC 究竟 jiū jìng
TC 究竟
TC 究竟
I don't know what the heck is taking him so long.
what the heck, what the devil expr: slang (what)
SC 怎么回事
What the heck is going on here?
what the hell? interj: slang, potentially offensive (bewilderment)
SC 搞什么鬼
SC 怎么回事
The boss is piling all the rest of his office furniture on top of his desk – what the hell?
what the hell expr: slang, potentially offensive (incomprehension)
SC …到底怎么回事？ dào dǐ zěn me huí shì
What the hell is going on here?
what the hell pron: slang, potentially offensive (what)
SC 什么 shén me
TC 什麼
TC 什麼
I'm not sure what the hell's been happening here, but you've got some explaining to do!
what the hell pron: slang, potentially offensive (whatever)
SC 无论什么 wú lùn shén me
TC 無論什麼
TC 無論什麼
SC 任何事 wú lùn shén me ，rèn hé shì
SC 任何东西 wú lùn shén me ，rèn hé dōng xī
You can do what the hell you want. See if I care.
what the hell interj: slang (resignation)
SC 管他呢
SC 无所谓了
SC 去他的
I don't want to do it, but what the hell?
What time is it? expr: (What hour is it?)
SC 现在几点？
what time? expr: informal (at what hour?)
SC 什么时间？ shén me shí jiān
What time are you going to bed? What time do you want to leave?
What will be will be. expr: (expressing acceptance of future)
SC 随遇而安吧。
what with prep: (considering)
SC 因为 yīn wèi
TC 因為
TC 因為
SC 考虑到 yīn wèi ，kǎo lǜ dào
TC 考慮到
TC 考慮到
SC 由于 yīn wèi ，yóu yú
What with the storms and flight delays, he arrived home after midnight.
what-d'you-call-him n: informal (used in place of [sb]'s name) (用来代替某人的名字)
SC 某某 mǒu mǒu
I saw what-d'you-call-him the other day.
what-d'you-call-it n: informal (something)
SC 你叫他什么来着 nǐ jiào tā shén me lái zhe
What-ho! interj: (greeting, attention-getter)
SC 喂!
what'll contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (what will)
SC 将会怎样
What'll Victor say when he finds out you lied to him?
what's contraction: colloquial, abbreviation (what is)
SC 是什么
TC 是什麼
TC 是什麼
What's that smell?
What's good for the goose is good for the gander, What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander expr: figurative ([sth] should apply equally)
SC 一律平等
SC 同样适用
What's happening? expr: informal (greeting)
SC 怎么回事？出什么事了？ zěn me huí shì ？chū shén me shì le ？
Hi, guys. What's happening?
What's new? expr: informal (greeting)
SC 有什么新情况吗？
SC 有什么新鲜事吗？
What's next? interj: informal (expressing disbelief or mild dismay) (表达不相信或轻微的沮丧)
SC 接下来是什么？
What's the matter? expr: (What is wrong?)
SC 出什么事了？
SC 怎么了？ zěn me le
what's up with [sth/sb] expr: slang (what is happening to)
SC 出了什么事？
I don't know what's up with Jane. This is the first time she hasn't been on time.
What's up with that? expr: slang (That is unfair, not logical) (俚语，表示不公平或不理解)
SC 搞什么啊？
SC 怎么回事？
She never does any work and now she's been made our manager. What's up with that?
What's up? expr: slang (What is wrong?)
SC 怎么了？ zěn me le
SC 有什么问题？
Sarah looked sad so I asked her "What's up?"
What's up? expr: slang (What is happening?)
SC 过得如何？
SC 近况如何？
I haven't seen you for a long time. What's up?
what's what n: (useful, essential information)
SC 重要信息
What's wrong? expr: informal (What is the matter?)
SC 怎么了？ zěn me le
SC 出什么事了？