(gàn shén me) - what are (you/they) doing, why do that in Mandarin
gànshénmeTraditional: 幹什麼
Translation
what are (you/they) doing, why do that
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Word origin
A phrase: 干 (gan) 'to do' plus 什么 (shenme) 'what', itself 什 (a generic 'what', with the 亻 person radical) and 么 (a suffix particle). Together: 'what are you doing'.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 干 (gan, 'to do') + 什 (shen, 亻person radical) + 么 (me, particle)
Stroke order
干
什
么
Examples
？
What are you doing?
？
What are they doing?
？
What are you up to?
？
What were you up to last night?
。
Whatever he does, he takes it seriously.
干什么 (gàn shén me) means what are (you/they) doing, why do that. It is used as a other in everyday Mandarin speech.
Where this fits
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Mandarin · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "干什么" (what are (you/they) doing, why do that): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 5, lesson 10: 干什么, 重要, 跑 and 7 more words.