Structure:

Verb + 什么 + Objec

Meaning:

Adding 什么 (shénme) to the end of a verb can be used to change a sentence into a rhetorical question. This usage is often used with separable verbs.

Examples:

1. 过什么 年 啊，还 得 又 送 红包 又 送礼。

    Guòshénme nián ā, hái dé yòu sònɡ hónɡbāo yòu sònɡlǐ.

    The speaker is implying that celebrating Chinese New Year isn’t economically feasible.

2. 这么 大 年纪 了，结 什么 婚啊！

    Zhème dà niánjì le, jié shénme hūnā

    The speaker is implying that getting married at this age is a ridiculous notion.

3. 还 吃 什么 饭，要 迟到 了。

    Hái chī shénme fàn, yào chídào le

    The speaker is implying that there’s no time to eat.

4. 道 什么 歉，又 不是 你 的 错。

    Dào shénme qiàn, yòu búshì nǐ de cuò

    The speaker is implying that apologizing is completely unnecessary.

5. 没有 钱 看 什么 电影。

    Méiyǒu qián kàn shénme diànyǐnɡ

    The speaker is implying that there’s no money to watch a movie.