How to Say What Is This in Chinese: Your Easy Guide

Learning new phrases in Mandarin can be a challenge, especially with its unique tones. You often start with basic greetings like "你好吗? (Nǐhǎo ma?)" or "你叫什么名字? (Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?)" to ask what someone's name is. But knowing how to say what is this in Chinese, "这是什么? (Zhè shì shénme?)," is fundamental. This phrase is incredibly useful for beginners in the Chinese language. This guide will break down its pronunciation, meaning, and practical usage. You will master what this phrase means and how to use it. Mastering what this phrase offers is a great first step in conversational Chinese. It unlocks potential for real-world dialogue, showing you what is possible.

Key Takeaways

• The main phrase for "what is this" in Chinese is "这是什么?" (Zhè shì shénme?).

• Mandarin Chinese uses tones. Correct tones are important for clear communication.

• Practice each part of the phrase: "Zhè" (this), "shì" (is), and "shénme" (what).

• You can use "这是什么?" in many daily situations to ask about new things.

• Coachers.org helps you learn Chinese faster with personalized lessons and expert guidance.

How to Say What Is This in Chinese: The Core Phrase

You want to know how to say what is this in Chinese. The core phrase you need is "这是什么?" (Zhè shì shénme?). This simple question breaks down into three main parts. You will understand each part and how they work together.

Characters and Meanings

First, let's look at "这" (zhè). This character means "this." It points to something close to you. The character '这' (zhè) comes from an older character, '此' (cǐ). '此' first showed a specific place or object. Over time, '此' became the simpler '这', which you use today in modern Chinese. This character tells you what you are talking about.

Next, you have "是" (shì). This character means "is" or "to be." It connects "this" to "what." You can see interesting parts in the Chinese character '是'. It includes the radical 日 (rì), which means "sun" or "day." It also contains 正 (zhèng), meaning "correct" or "straight." These parts combine to form the meaning of "is."

Finally, you have "什么" (shénme). This means "what." It is the question word. You put "什么" at the end of the sentence in Chinese questions. This is different from English, where "what" often comes at the beginning. For example, you say "This is what?" instead of "What is this?" The history of '什么' (shénme) is quite interesting. Some thinkers believe it came from '是何' (shì hé), meaning 'FOCUS what?'. However, this idea has some sound problems. A more accepted idea is that 'shénme' came from '十物' (shí wù), meaning 'ten objects'. This older phrase was pronounced in a way that explains the 'm' sound you hear now. This change from 'ten objects' to 'what' shows how language can shift over time. Many new what words in Chinese came from phrases starting with 'shì' during early centuries. This helps you understand what makes up the question.

Pinyin and Tones Explained

Now, let's talk about how to pronounce "这是什么?" correctly. Mandarin Chinese uses tones, and they are very important. Each syllable has a specific tone. You will learn the tones for each part of the phrase.

• Zhè (这): This syllable has a fourth tone. The fourth tone is a falling tone. You start high and drop quickly and strongly. Think of it like a sharp, short command. For example, you might say "Stop!" with a similar falling pitch.

  The fourth tone starts at a slightly higher than neutral pitch. Then it quickly and strongly descends.

  Location/Variant	Phonetic Approximation
  Common realization (Beijing)	˥˨ (52), ˥˧ (53)
  Common realization (Taipei)	˥˨ (52), ˥˧ (53)
  Other substandard variants	˦˨ (42)
  IPA diacritic	/à/ [à̰, a̰᷆, a̰᷉]

• Shì (是): This syllable also has a fourth tone. You use the same falling pitch as with "zhè." Practice saying "zhè" and then "shì" with this sharp, falling sound.

• Shén (什): This syllable has a second tone. The second tone is a rising tone. You start at a mid-low pitch and rise to a mid-high pitch. It sounds like you are asking a quick question, like "Huh?" or "What?" when you are surprised.

• Me (么): This syllable has a neutral tone. The neutral tone is light and short. It does not have a fixed pitch. You say it softly and quickly, almost like a whisper. It often takes its pitch from the syllable before it.

To pronounce the full phrase, you need to connect these tones smoothly. Start with the sharp fall of "zhè," then another sharp fall for "shì." After that, quickly rise for "shén," and finish with the soft, light "me." This sequence helps you how to pronounce the phrase naturally. Pay close attention to the transitions between the tones. Many learners make mistakes by not fully dropping or rising their pitch. You can avoid common pronunciation errors by exaggerating the tones at first. This helps your ear and mouth get used to the movements. What you practice now will build a strong foundation.

Full Phrase Pronunciation

You have learned the individual parts and their tones. Now, you will put it all together to say "这是什么?" (Zhè shì shénme?). This is how to say what is this in Chinese.

Say the full phrase slowly at first. Focus on each tone.

1. Zhè (这): Sharp fall.

2. Shì (是): Another sharp fall.

3. Shén (什): Quick rise.

4. Me (么): Soft and light.

Practice saying "Zhè shì shénme?" many times. You can record yourself and listen back. Compare your pronunciation to native speakers if you have audio examples. This helps you hear what sounds right. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Every time you try, you get closer to perfect pronunciation. What you are doing is building muscle memory for your mouth and tongue. This practice makes you more confident. You will soon find yourself asking "What is this?" with ease.

Mastering Mandarin Tones for "Zhè shì shénme?"

You have learned what the characters mean. Now, you will dive deeper into the tones. Mastering Mandarin tones is crucial for clear communication. A slight change in tone can completely change a word's meaning. You will learn how to pronounce 'Zhè shì shénme?' perfectly. This section shows you what to focus on.

Tone Breakdown: Zhè, Shì, Shén, Me

You already know 'zhè' and 'shì' use the fourth tone. 'Shén' uses the second tone. 'Me' is a neutral tone. Let's review how to pronounce each part of the phrase. This helps you understand what each tone feels like.

Mandarin has four main tones, plus a neutral tone. Each tone has a distinct pitch contour.

The neutral tone, like in 'me', is light and short. It does not have a fixed pitch. You say it softly and quickly. It often takes its pitch from the syllable before it.

Practicing Tone Transitions

Saying individual tones correctly is one step. Connecting them smoothly is the next. You need to practice the transitions between tones. This makes your speech sound natural. For 'Zhè shì shénme?', you move from two falling tones to a rising tone, then to a neutral tone. This sequence requires practice. You can try these exercises to improve your tone transitions. They help you get a feel for what different tone combinations sound like.

• Practice with specific phrases:

  • 听说吃喝 (tīng shuō chī hē)

  • 冰茶可乐 (bīng chá kě lè)

  • 讲 口音 标准 (jiǎng kǒu yīn biāo zhǔn)

  • 超级玛丽 (chāo jí mǎ lì)

  • 酸甜苦辣 (suān tián kǔ là)

  • 中国炒面 (zhōng guó chǎo miàn)

  • 生活很累 (shēng huó hěn lèi)

• Practice with Chinese Numbers: This method helps you master tones while also learning basic counting.

• Practice Speaking English with Chinese Tones: This exercise uses your existing language skills. It helps you understand and produce Chinese tones.

Avoiding Common Tone Mistakes

Many English speakers face challenges when learning Mandarin tones. You might make common pronunciation errors. These mistakes can change what you mean. For example, you might struggle with similar sounds. English speakers often add stress to syllables. Mandarin does not use word-internal stress. This can alter the tone and meaning. You also find it hard to grasp what the tonal system works. There are many tonal pairs to master. You can avoid these pitfalls. You can also correct them effectively. Here are some common mistakes and how to fix them:

• Similar Sounds: English speakers often struggle to differentiate between similar Mandarin sounds like zh and j, or x and sh. You might pronounce them identically. You might also reflexively use English pronunciations for familiar letters like d or t.

• Stressing Syllables: English speakers tend to involuntarily add stress to syllables. This can alter the tone and meaning in Mandarin. Mandarin does not have word-internal stress. You also mistakenly change the tone of a word when applying contrastive stress within a sentence.

• Different Tones: Learners find it challenging to grasp how Mandarin's tonal system works. Tone sandhi rules cause tones to change. Despite only four main tones, there are approximately 20 tonal pairs you need to master. This makes it a steep learning curve.

You can use these strategies to correct common tone mistakes:

1. Always learn tones with new words: When learning new characters or words, always learn their tones simultaneously. Don't just imitate native speakers; actively ask for or look up the tones.

2. Reinforce tones when encountering characters in new words: Use the opportunity of learning a new word to refresh your memory of the tones for individual characters within it.

3. Actively listen for tones: During Chinese listening practice, focus on identifying the tones of words and parts of sentences, rather than just picking out words.

4. Regularly check tones in a dictionary: It's normal to forget tones. Consistently double-check them in a dictionary, especially with apps like Pleco, to reinforce memory.

5. Read aloud with correct tones: Practice reading Chinese texts aloud. Pay close attention to pronouncing each character with its correct tone. This is a great memory exercise.

6. Use visual aids: Employ colors or mnemonics to represent different tones if you are a visual learner.

7. Practice tone combinations: Practice saying tone combinations in pairs and different sequences. Do this especially for two- and three-syllable words. This helps you get a 'feel' for them.

8. Be disciplined in using correct tones: Make a conscious effort to pronounce every word and sentence with the correct tones from the beginning. Do this even if it slows you down initially.

9. Self-correct tone mistakes: Don't worry about making mistakes. Try to recognize them and correct yourself. Or look up the tones later.

What you learn here will guide your practice. You will soon discover what a difference correct tones make.

Using "这是什么?" in Daily Conversations

You now understand the components and tones of "这是什么?" This phrase is a powerful tool for daily communication. You can use it in many situations. It helps you learn about your surroundings.

Basic Scenarios and Examples

You can use "这是什么?" when you encounter something new. Imagine you are in a Chinese market. You see an unusual fruit. You can point to it and ask, "这是什么?" (Zhè shì shénme?). This asks, "what is this?". Or, you try a new dish at a restaurant. You can ask your friend, "这是什么?" to find out what you are eating. This simple question helps you explore. A common response follows a basic formula. If you ask "Zhè shì shénme?", a typical answer would be "Zhè shì bǐ." (This is a pen.). The answer states the subject first. You get a clear answer to your question. Sometimes, you might hear "这是什么东西?" (Zhè shì shénme dōngxi?). This means "What is this thing?". It is also common. However, focus on the simpler "这是什么?" for now. It is more versatile.

Slight Variations for Context

The word "什么" (shénme) is very flexible. You can use it in many other questions. It helps you ask what you need.

• "Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?" (你叫什么名字?) asks, "What is your name?"

• "Shénme? Wǒ méiyǒu tīng dǒng." (什么?我没有听懂。) means "What? I didn’t understand."

• "Nǐ xiǎng yào shénme?" (你想要什么?) asks, "What would you like?"

• "Nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?" (你想吃什么?) means "What do you want to eat?"

• "Shénme shì…?" (什么是…?) asks, "What is…?"

• "Shénme wèntí?" (什么问题?) means "What’s the problem?"

• "Qù nǎr zhǎo, shénme dōu méiyǒu." (去哪儿找, 什么都没有。) means "I looked everywhere, there’s nothing." These examples show the broad usage of "什么." You can ask what you need in many contexts.

Building Confidence with Coachers

You can build confidence by practicing. Listen to native Chinese speakers. Repeat "这是什么?" many times. You can find audio online or in language apps. This helps you hear the correct tones. Then, you can try saying it yourself. Record your voice. Compare it to native speakers. This helps you improve your pronunciation. Coachers.org offers personalized practice. You can get expert guidance for your pronunciation. This helps you master phrases like "how to say what is this in chinese." You will soon ask "what is this" with ease. This practice unlocks your potential for real conversations.

Speed Up Your Learning with Coachers.org

You know how to say "这是什么?". Now, learn Chinese faster with Coachers.org. We help you learn this phrase. We teach you much more. Our platform helps you learn in your own way. Experts teach you. Smart computer tools help you. This makes learning special. It works very well.

Your Own Practice with Coachers

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Expert Help for How You Speak

You will get expert help for your speaking. Our teachers tell you right away how you are doing. This help is key for speaking Chinese well. You get help all the time. One-on-one classes give you personal lessons. Teachers change lessons for your goals. They focus on your strong points. This quick focus helps you learn faster. Being alone with a teacher also makes you brave. You may feel less shy than in a big group.

More Than Basics: Talking in Chinese

Coachers.org helps you go past simple phrases. Our talking Chinese classes make lessons real. You use the language often. You practice talking. You can join special language classes. These help you learn faster. They help you understand more. You can pick one-on-one classes. Or you can pick group classes. Our online learning lets you study anywhere. Computer tools also make you want to learn. They tell you right away how you are doing. This helps you learn faster. It keeps you interested.

Mastering "这是什么? (Zhè shì shénme?)" is a big step. You now know how to say "what is this" in Chinese. You get the characters. You understand the tones. You know how to use it. Keep practicing. You will speak smoothly. Coachers.org is great for this. We have many coaches. They give one-on-one and group lessons. You can pick your plan. Learn conversational or business Chinese. Study online from anywhere. Our tools help you learn. You can even be a certified Coacher. Start your journey now!

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FAQ

How important are tones in Mandarin?

Tones are very important in Mandarin. They change the meaning of words. A word can have four different meanings with four different tones. You must use the correct tone. This helps people understand you clearly.

Can I use "这是什么东西?" instead of "这是什么?"

Yes, you can use "这是什么东西?" (Zhè shì shénme dōngxi?). It means "What is this thing?" This phrase is also common. "这是什么?" is simpler. You can use it in more situations.

How quickly can I learn basic conversational Chinese?

You can learn basic conversational Chinese quickly with practice. Many learners see progress in a few months. Coachers.org helps you learn faster. You get personalized lessons. This speeds up your learning journey.

What if I make mistakes with tones?

Do not worry about making tone mistakes. Everyone makes them when learning. Native speakers often understand you from context. You should keep practicing. Listen to native speakers. Correct your tones over time. This improves your speaking.