Definition & Meaning

(ask for the reason or purpose) why; whatever for

Word usage

gàn shén me

干 什 么

Level:

NHSK 1 ESC2 HYJC2

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Chinese dictionary
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adv.(ask for the reason or purpose) why; whatever for
- nǐ rèn wéi nǐ jiū jìng zài gàn shén me
  你认为你究竟在干什么？
  What the hell do you think you are doing?
- nǐ men zài wǒ fáng jiān lǐ gàn shén me
  你们在我房间里干什么？
  What are you doing in my room?
- nǐ men zhàn zài nà lǐ gàn shén me
  你们站在那里干什么？
  What are you doing standing there?
synonym
wèi shén me为什么 wèi shén me为甚么

Word usage

Note
1.When enquiring about objective reasons or principles, use "为什么" or "怎么" rather than "干什么" or "干吗"( gànmá), such as "太阳为什么比月亮明亮?" 2.When "干" means "do", "干什么" is a verb-object phrase, which means "doing something, etc.".

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