World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionaries什么
Pronunciation / Transliteration: shénme
"你最喜欢的书是什么？"
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Used to ask for information about something.
"What is your favorite book?"
- 1
Used to specify a particular thing or things.
"What time is the meeting?"
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Old English hwæt, of Germanic origin, sharing roots with Proto-Germanic *hwatain and ultimately tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European interrogative root *kʷo-. Historically used as an interrogative pronoun and exclamation, it has evolved over centuries to function extensively in relative clauses and exclamatory phrases.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "What"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "What" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
quoi
Transliteration: kwa
"Quoi est ton livre préféré ?"
was
Transliteration: vas
"Was ist dein Lieblingsbuch?"
cosa
Transliteration: koza
"Cosa è il tuo libro preferito?"
qué
Transliteration: ke
"¿Qué es tu libro favorito?"
o que
Transliteration: oo keh
"O que é o seu livro favorito?"
क्या
Transliteration: kya
"क्या आपकी पसंदीदा किताब है?"
什么
Transliteration: shénme
"你最喜欢的书是什么？"
무엇
Transliteration: mueot
"당신이 가장 좋아하는 책은 무엇입니까?"
何
Transliteration: nani
"あなたの好きな本は何ですか？"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all Chinese termsA barracks or building intended for the accommodation of soldiers, usually located within a fortified place.
A secondary residence owned or rented by a family or individual, used primarily for recreational purposes, holidays, or seasonal getaways.
Not producing or containing venom; incapable of injecting poison through a bite, sting, or other mechanism.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "What"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.