什么 vs 啥 (shénme vs shá): standard vs colloquial "what"
什么 is the standard, all-purpose interrogative pronoun for "what" in Mandarin, used in all contexts from formal to informal. 啥 is a colloquial, northern-dialect variant used primarily in casual speech, especially in northern China. Learners should default to 什么 in most writing and formal settings, and use 啥 only in informal spoken situations where a relaxed tone is appropriate.
Both 什么 (shénme) and 啥 (shá) mean "what" in Chinese, but they differ in register and regional usage. 什么 is the standard, neutral form found in textbooks, news, and formal speech. 啥 is a colloquial contraction of 什么, originating from northern dialects, and is used in everyday conversation among friends or in informal contexts. Think of 啥 as the spoken equivalent of "whatcha" in English — common but not suitable for formal writing. Understanding when to use each will help you sound natural without being overly dialectal or overly formal.
When to use each
Use 什么 in all contexts: written language, formal speeches, interviews, exams, and polite conversation. It is the universal choice for "what" and appears in fixed expressions like 什么时候 (when), 什么地方 (where), 为什么 (why), and 没什么 (nothing). Also used to express vague meanings like "something" or "any" (e.g., 我想吃点什么 — I want to eat something). Always use 什么 in any formal or standard Mandarin setting.
When followed by a noun, 什么 can mean "what kind of" (e.g., 什么颜色 — what color). It can also be used in exclamations (e.g., 什么！— What!)
Use 啥 in informal spoken Chinese, especially in northern China (Beijing, Northeast, etc.) and in casual conversations with friends, family, or peers. It is a contraction of 什么 and carries a relaxed, down-to-earth tone. Common in compounds like 干啥 (do what), 为啥 (why), and 啥时候 (when — colloquial). Avoid 啥 in formal writing, professional emails, or academic contexts. Even in speech, if you are not comfortable with the regional nuance, defaulting to 什么 is always safe.
啥 can be used to express indifference or a dismissive attitude (e.g., 啥都行 — anything is fine). In southern Mandarin varieties, 啥 may sound foreign or overly northern, so it's less common there.
At a glance
| 什么 | 啥 | |
|---|---|---|
| Formality level | Standard/neutral (formal & informal) | Colloquial/informal only |
| Geographic prevalence | Used nationwide in all regions | Predominantly northern China; less common in the south |
| Acceptable in writing | Yes, always | No, except in direct quotes or casual contexts |
| Compound forms | 什么时候, 什么地方, 为什么, 什么什么 | 干啥, 为啥, 啥时候, 啥都 |
| Tone/feeling | Neutral, polite, also used in exclamations | Friendly, casual, sometimes rough or dismissive |
Examples
- 什么你在看什么？Nǐ zài kàn shénme?What are you watching?Standard, neutral question — appropriate in any context.
- 啥你干啥呢？Nǐ gàn shá ne?What are you doing?Colloquial northern usage — use with friends.
- 什么他叫什么名字？Tā jiào shénme míngzì?What is his name?Formal question; using 啥 here would sound too casual.
- 啥为啥不来？Wèishá bù lái?Why not come?为啥 is a common contraction of 为什么 in speech.
- 什么你想吃什么？Nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?What do you want to eat?Neutral, standard question.
- 啥啥都行。Shá dōu xíng.Anything is fine.Casual expression; 什么都行 is the standard version.
Common mistakes
- Using 啥 in formal writing (e.g., an essay or business email) — always use 什么.
- Avoiding 啥 entirely in casual northern conversation, which may sound overly stiff or textbook-like.
- Using 啥 in southern China or Taiwan where it is less common and may feel foreign.
- Mispronouncing 啥 as shà (the standard tone is second tone shá).
- Thinking 啥 is interchangeable with 什么 in all contexts — it is not appropriate in formal settings.
FAQ
- When do I use 什么 vs 啥?
- Use 什么 in all situations, especially in writing and formal speech. Use 啥 only in casual spoken contexts, particularly when talking to friends or in northern China. If you're unsure, 什么 is always correct.
- Is 啥 considered rude or uneducated?
- No, 啥 is not rude, but it is informal and associated with northern dialects. Using it in a formal situation might be seen as unprofessional, but among friends it sounds natural and friendly.
- Can I use 啥 in Taiwan or southern China?
- It is understood but not commonly used. In Taiwan, standard 什么 is preferred; using 啥 may sound like you are imitating a northern Chinese accent. Stick with 什么 to avoid regional mismatches.
- Does 啥 appear in written Chinese at all?
- Yes, but only in direct speech, dialogue in novels, or informal writing (e.g., social media, text messages). In formal written Chinese, it is avoided.