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How to Say ‘What kind’ in Simplified Chinese

什么样

shén me yàng

[shuh-muh yahng]

💬 Usage Tip: [什么样] means "what kind of / what sort of," and it usually goes right before the noun: [什么样的菜] "what kind of dishes." In casual speech people may drop [的], but before a noun you'll often see [什么样的 + noun].

Phrase Breakdown

什么

shén me

[shuh-muh]

what; which

Used to ask about choice/type. In ordering: 什么口味 / 什么做法 (“what flavor / what cooking method”).

Example

你想要什么样的烹饪方式?

What kind of cooking method would you like?

样

yàng

[yahng]

type; kind; style (as in 什么样 = what kind)

Refers to “style/type.” Often used with 的: 什么样的… (“what kind of…”).

Example

这家店有什么样的炒菜?

What kinds of stir-fried dishes does this restaurant have?

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