哪样 (nǎ yàng) — which kind; what kind; how (in what way)

Definition

哪样 (nǎ yàng) is a pronoun meaning 'which kind / what kind' — used in questions to ask about a type or manner among options. Pairs with 是 to ask 'which one is…?' (你最喜欢哪样?).

pronoun
which kindwhat kindhow (in what way)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 哪样？
    Nǐ xǐ huan nǎ yàng yán sè?
    What color do you like?
  • 哪样？
    nǎ yàng Zuò bǐ jiào hǎo?
    How is it better to do it?
  • 哪样。
    Wǒ bù zhī dào tā xiǎng yào nǎ yàng.
    I don't know which kind he wants.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

哪nǎwhich
样yàngkind

哪 'which' and 样 'kind' combine to ask about kind or way.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 哪 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 樣; 样 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùwood
Sound part声符shēngfú
羕
羕yàng樣yàng
Same sound today

For 样, the traditional form 樣 pairs 木 (wood) with 羕 as a sound part.

Open 样 →

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