什 (shén) - what & various
什 · shén
what;
various;
sundry;
mixed;
ten (archaic);
used in words like 'what' (什么) and 'miscellaneous' (什锦).
whatvarioussundry
Usage highlights
whatassorted/mixedmiscellaneous itemssundry goodswhywhatever
Usage & contexts
Examples
- What is this?(这是什么?)
- He bought some assorted candies (什锦糖).
- This is a miscellaneous collection (什物).
- Why are you doing this?(你为什么要这样?)
Collocations
- what(什么)
- assorted/mixed(什锦)
- miscellaneous items(什物)
- sundry goods(杂什)
- why(为什么)
- whatever(无论什么)
Idioms
- No specific idiom with 什 alone; usually appears in 什么
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally meant 'ten' in ancient times, derived from grouping ten soldiers together.
- Now primarily used in the word 什么 (shénme) meaning 'what', one of the most common question words in Chinese.
- Also used in 什锦 meaning 'assorted' or 'mixed', referring to various items combined together.