Definition
什么的 is a colloquial pronoun phrase used after listing one or two examples to indicate 'and so on, and the like.' It's very common in spoken Chinese and attaches directly after the last item in the list, without a comma before it. Because it conveys a casual, vague continuation, avoid using it in formal writing.
pronoun
and so onand whatnotand the like
Examples
- 、什么的。Wǒ xǐhuān chī píngguǒ, xiāngjiāo shén me de.I like to eat apples, bananas, and so on.
- 、什么的。Zhōumò wǒmen qù chànggē, tiàowǔ shén me de.On weekends we go sing, dance, and stuff.
- 、什么的。Lǎoshī, tóngxué shén me de dōu lái le.Teachers, classmates, etc., all came.
Grammar
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