哪门子 (nǎ mén zi) — (colloquial, rhetorical) what? (in expressions of dissent or disdain); (colloquial, rhetorical) why? (same nuance)

Definition

A colloquial, rhetorical word used in retorts to express annoyance or dismissal — roughly 'what kind of...' or 'why on earth...?' It has no real interrogative meaning; the speaker is pushing back, not asking for information.

pronoun
(colloquial, rhetorical) what? (in expressions of dissent or disdain)(colloquial, rhetorical) why? (same nuance)

Examples

  • 哪门子？。
    Nǐ chī de nǎ mén zi cù? wǒ gēn běn méi zuò cuò shì.
    What are you jealous about? I didn't do anything wrong.
  • 哪门子，。
    Tā shuō de nǎ mén zi dà dào lǐ, tīng dōu tīng bù dǒng.
    What kind of big talk is he saying? I can't even understand it.
  • 哪门子？。
    Nǐ cāo nǎ mén zi xián xīn? zhè shì gēn nǐ méi guān xi.
    Why are you bothering with this? It's none of your business.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

哪门which kind
哪nǎwhich门ménkind
偏正Modifier + head
子zǐsuffix

哪 asks which, 门 suggests a kind, and 子 completes the colloquial rhetorical word.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 哪 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 門; 门 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 門 pictures a gate as two door shapes side by side; the simplified 门 is a later shorthand.

Open 门 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →

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