何
what, which, who, why (literary)
Structure
何 ＋ 单音节名词（何时／何地／何人／何种） · 为何／如何／有何 …
What it means
What, which, who, why (literary): the written form of 什么, 哪 and 谁.
How it is built
何 + one-syllable word or fixed compound: 何时, 何地, 何人, 何种, 何处, 为何 (why), 有何 (what … is there): 大使何时到任，目前还没有消息 (No word yet on when the ambassador takes up the post).
When to use it
News, notices and formal speech; stiff in conversation except in set phrases like 如何 and 无论如何. Met in 何必 (2-3), 如何 (2-23), 何尝 (3-17), 为何／何以 (4-6).
Watch out
Not before an ordinary spoken noun: ✗何朋友, ✗何时候. Use its fixed combinations; otherwise say 什么朋友, 什么时候.
Examples
北京为何能促成这次握手？
Why was Beijing able to bring about this handshake?
大使何时到任，目前还没有消息。
There is no word yet on when the ambassador will take up the post.
这样做对双方有何好处？
What good does this do either side?
Learn this in Lesson 126 · HSK 7–9: 北京握手 (International news: the handshake in Beijing)
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.
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