什么 · 哪儿 · 谁 = something, somewhere, someone
something / somewhere / someone (not a real question)
Structure
动词 + 什么／哪儿／谁 （不是提问）
What it means
A question word can also mean “some-”: 什么 “something”, 哪儿 “somewhere”, 谁 “someone”, when you don’t know or don’t need to say exactly what, where or who.
How it is built
Use the question word in its normal place, often with 好像 or 吗: 我好像在哪儿见过他 (I think I’ve seen him somewhere). 刚才好像有谁来过 (I think someone came by just now).
When to use it
Compare 你想买什么？ “What do you want to buy?” with 你想买什么吗？ “Do you want to buy anything?”, which only needs yes or no. 好像 shows you aren’t sure.
Watch out
A real question with 什么 or 哪儿 never ends in 吗: ✗ 你想去哪儿吗？ for “Where do you want to go?” ✓ 你想去哪儿？ With 吗 it asks “Do you want to go anywhere?”
Examples
我好像在哪儿见过他。
I think I’ve seen him somewhere.
我去超市，你要买什么吗？
I’m going to the supermarket. Do you need anything?
刚才好像有谁来过。
I think someone came by just now.
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 17: 长城 (The Great Wall)
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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