何（＝什么／哪）
what, which, who: the written 什么 or 哪 in fixed bundles
Structure
何 时／地／人／处／种 ； 有何 名词 ； 名词 何在
What it means
Classical 'what, which, who'. In modern Chinese it survives only in fixed bundles that act as the written 什么, 哪 or 谁.
How it is built
何 + 时／地／人／处／种, 有何 + noun, or noun + 何在: 这款新手机有何不同？ (how is this new phone different?); 出路何在？ (where does the way out lie?).
When to use it
Gives questions in news, essays, notices and speeches a formal, compact ring: 何时 = 什么时候, 何处 = 哪里, 何人 = 谁. 为何 and 如何 are the same family; rhetorical 何必, 何尝, 何况 are a separate set.
Watch out
Never alone or before an ordinary noun: ✗ 你买了何 ✗ 何东西 ✓ 你买了什么／什么东西. Keep it out of casual speech: ✗ 你何时来呀 ✓ 你什么时候来呀.
Examples
模仿与抄袭的界限究竟在何处？
Where exactly is the line between imitation and plagiarism?
这款新手机与上一代相比，有何不同？
How does this new phone differ from the last generation?
山寨企业的出路何在？
Where does the way forward for the copycat firms lie?
Learn this in Lesson 186 · HSK 7–9: 从山寨到原创 (From knock-offs to originals)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
Open the lesson →