“Some-” with question words An English guide to “Some-” with question words, with structures, examples, and practical usage notes.
1 min read · 119 words · Published Sep 22, 2026
Overview
This English reference introduces ““Some-” with question words” and focuses on the information most useful when reading Chinese.
Structure
Examples
Something/anything: 什么 (shén me)
Use this note to compare the pattern with the surrounding words while reading.
这 zhè 个 ge 假 jià 期 qī 我 wǒ 没 méi 有 yǒu 什 shén 么 me 特 tè 别 bié 的 de 计 jì 划 huà 。
I don’t have any special plans for this holiday.
你 nǐ 饿 è 吗 ma ? 想 xiǎng 吃 chī 点 diǎn 什 shén 么 me 吗 ma ?
Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something?
Somewhere: 哪里 (nǎ lǐ) /哪儿 (nǎ’r)
Use this note to compare the pattern with the surrounding words while reading.
我 wǒ 们 men 找 zhǎo 哪 nǎ 里 lǐ 坐 zuò 一 yí 会 huì 儿 er 吧 ba , 太 tài 累 lèi 了 le 。
Let’s find somewhere to sit for a while. I’m so tired.
这 个 人 我 在 哪 儿 见 过 。
I’ve met this person somewhere before.
Sometime/Someday: 什么时候 (shén me shí hou) / 哪天 (nǎ tiān)
Use this note to compare the pattern with the surrounding words while reading.
我 wǒ 们 men 什 shén 么 me 时 shí 候 hou 一 yì 起 qǐ 去 qù 看 kàn 电 diàn 影 yǐng 吧 ba 。
Let’s go to see a movie together sometime.
你 nǐ 哪 nǎ 天 tiān 有 yǒu 时 shí 间 jiān , 到 dào 我 wǒ 家 jiā 来 lái 玩 wán 吧 ba 。
Come over to my house to hang out when you have time someday.
Someone: 谁 (shéi)
Use this note to compare the pattern with the surrounding words while reading.
我 wǒ 们 men 不 bù 知 zhī 道 dào 怎 zěn 么 me 走 zǒu , 找 zhǎo 谁 shéi 问 wèn 问 wen 吧 ba 。
We don’t know the way. Let’s find someone to ask.
这 zhè 件 jiàn 事 shì 情 qing 我 wǒ 听 tīng 谁 shéi 讲 jiǎng 过 guo 。
I’ve heard someone mention this matter before.
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