- 为什么 wèishénme whywhy; for what reason
- 没什么 méishénme nothingit doesn't matter; it's nothing; never mind
- 干什么 gànshénme what forused to inquire about the purpose or reason for an action; why
- 什么样 shénmeyàng what kindwhat kind?; what sort?
- 什么的 shénmede and so onand so on; and so forth; and what not
- 什么风把你吹来的 shénmefēngbǎnǐchuīláide what brings youWhat brings you here? (idiom)
- 什么鬼 shénmeguǐ what the hecka slang expression used to express confusion, surprise, or disbelief about something strange or unexpected
- 凭什么 píngshénme whyon what basis or by what authority; for what reason (often used to challenge or protest)
- 到什么山上，唱什么歌 dàoshénmeshānshàng, chàngshénmegē adaptTo adapt to the local customs or circumstances of the place one is currently in; when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
- 林子大了，什么鸟都有 línzidàle, shénmeniǎodōuyǒu all sortsit takes all sorts to make a world
- 没有什么 méiyǒushénme nothingthere is nothing; used to indicate the absence of a specific quality or thing (e.g., 'there's nothing ... about it')
- 没有什么不可能 méiyǒushénmebùkěnéng nothing is impossiblenothing is impossible; there's nothing impossible about it
- 葫芦里卖的是什么药 húlulǐmàideshìshénmeyào hidden agendawhat someone has up their sleeve; the hidden motives or secret plans behind a mysterious situation
- 都什么年代了 dōushénmeniándàile outdatedA rhetorical question or exclamation used to criticize someone or something as being old-fashioned or behind the times.
- 什么事 shénmeshì one's businessUsed in rhetorical questions (often with [[关|關|guan1]]) to indicate that something is none of one's concern.
- 什么人 shénmerén what personinterrogative asking about the nature, character, or type of person
- 什么地方 shénmedìfang somewherean unspecified or unknown location
- 什么好说 shénmehǎoshuō worth sayingsomething pertinent to say
- 什么时候 shénmeshíhou whenwhen; at what time
