A single fine silk thread; tiny, minute, or the youngest. Question suffix in 什么 (what), 怎么 (how), 为什么 (why); also forms 这么/那么 (this/that way). A tiny stroke (丿) over a small curl (厶), like a little tail tagging question words.
么 cannot stand alone in modern Mandarin. It only works attached to words like 什, 怎, and 怎...样.
In HSK 1 words, 么 is a quick neutral me, not a full-tone mo.
No. 么 alone is not a word. Say 什么 for 'what'.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Asking 'what' | 什么 (shén me) | 么 (me) |
| Asking 'how' | 怎么 (zěn me) | 么 (me) |
| Asking 'how about' | 怎么样 (zěn me yàng) | 么 (me) |
么 is always neutral tone: light, short, and unstressed.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Tone on 么 | Neutral (me) | Full tone (mē, mé, mè) |
| Length | Short and light | Long and stressed |
| Stress | First syllable carries it | 么 gets the beat |
| Example | 什么 (shén me) | 什么 (shén mè) |
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
为什么 中国消费者 这么 “害怕”吃方便面呢？
这个数字是 什么 意思？
就是说方便面里面基本没有水，所以就算在里面 什么 “东西”也不加，它也不会长毛变坏。
误会二：方便面没有 什么 营养事实上，除了刚出生的小宝宝可以只吃一种食物获得全部营养以外，没有任何人可以从单一一种食物中获得全部的营养。
在吃方便面时也可以再多加一些蔬菜、水果 什么的 ，让它营养更多。
事实上，油炸方便面的含油量比中国人传统常吃的油条，以及现在年轻人喜欢的炸薯条、炸土豆片 什么的 低很多，只是它们的二分之一不到。
这就是 为什么 方便面里都有一个小盐包。
This humorous dialogue follows a man who spends all his savings on his girlfriend's Apple phone and a lucky number, leaving him broke. A fun read for HSK 3 learners.
A：哎，你最近 怎么 很少来体育场锻炼啊？
这么 多？
A：哈哈，给女朋友花钱，难过 什么 ？
A：那你 怎么办 ？
B： 怎么办 ？
Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.
对面做服装的老总接话说，那你还撑 什么 。
他说，不撑 怎么办 ，底下三百多个人等着发工资。
他问我：“你们这行 怎么样 ？”
我问他您刚才饭桌上 怎么 不吃东西。
他说饿， 怎么 不饿。
Before you read, meet the grandparents! This rhyming chant helps you practice the different names for maternal and paternal grandparents in Chinese. Listen to the beat and repeat.
宝宝，宝宝，我问你，爸爸的爸爸叫 什么 ？
爸爸的妈妈叫 什么 ？
宝宝，宝宝，我再问你妈妈的爸爸叫 什么 ？
妈妈的妈妈叫 什么 ？
Join a beginner as they ask a Chinese friend to teach them how to cook. This simple HSK 1 dialogue shows that learning one dish at a time is the best way to start.
小米问我，我想学做 什么 菜。
小米说，我再问你一个问题，你现在会做 什么 菜呢？
我说，我 什么 菜都不会做。
Before you read, think about the questions you ask every day. This simple poem shows you how to ask age, price, time, and more in friendly Chinese.
新朋友，叫 什么 ？
做 什么 ？
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
你正在做 什么 ？”
那些桌子、椅子 什么的 ，这个星期都便宜了，都不贵。”
Follow Xiao Li as he copes with the effects of forest fires near his home in the US and reflects on environmental changes. A thoughtful story for HSK 4 learners.
小李想，要是天气还 这么 热，还不下雨，整个森林都要烧没了。
他给爸爸妈妈打了个电话，问他们那边 怎么样 。
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
大中想：“老先生天天来，茶不热了也不喝，他天天在看 什么 呢？”
大中问：“老先生，您天天坐在这儿看外边，您在看 什么 呢？”
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
老北京们去茶馆，就是因为想喝茶，也为了跟朋友说说话 什么的 。
因为在那儿可以一边喝茶，一边看表演，看唱歌、跳舞 什么的 。
Is four years to reach HSK 5 fast or slow? Follow a conversation between two learners as they compare study hours and share realistic strategies for busy adults.
A：你在学 什么 ？
有两千个小时 这么多 时间学习吗？
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
我只能说，你说的英国制度和美国制度其实没有 什么 不一样。
这么 好吃的东西，我相信你没有吃过。”
Chat about where friends study Chinese while exploring 哪儿 and 哪里 across Beijing and Shanghai. Practice asking “where”, talking about “here” and “there”, and using the modest reply 哪里哪里 to accept a compliment.
大山： 怎么 说“where”？
那，北京人 怎么 说“here”和“there”？
Step through a full day—from morning routines to bedtime—and pick up practical phrases for telling time and talking about your own schedule with a typical Chinese rhyme.
怎么 说时间？
This short, simple story follows a shopper's trip to the supermarket to buy apples. You'll learn useful vocabulary for shopping, prices, and comparing things.
我问超市的人小苹果 怎么样 ？
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
这个成语人人都会用，但是“东山”是 什么 意思，好多人不知道。
This simple HSK 2 story introduces a warm family of six. Follow Little Bao and his British wife as they raise their two green-eyed children, each with their own personality.
为什么 ？
Follow a traveler's unexpected hospital stay in China, where counting days and costs becomes practical learning. Practice numbers, dates, food prices, and simple descriptions of a doctor and room.
什么都 要钱，还都不好吃。
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
大中问老先生：“老先生，十点多了，您 怎么 还没回家？”
This playful HSK 1 poem twists words you already know and asks how an hour can be small. Read it aloud and laugh; a fun way to practice Chinese.
小猫小的猫，小狗小的狗，小学不很小，小时 怎么 小？
A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.
白天明问：“老先生，您家里有大白猫，您 怎么 还要找大白猫呢？”
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