Auxiliary WordsHSK 4
Ending a non-exhaustive list with 什么的
什么的 is a colloquial way to end a non-exhaustive list of things, meaning 'and so on' or 'etc.' It attaches after listing at least two examples of the same kind. Avoid using it after just a single item, as it requires a preceding list to indicate the category.
Structure
Noun 1, Noun 2 (+ Noun 3) + 什么的
The nouns can be replaced by verb phrases for activities, e.g. 吃饭、聊天 什么的.
Examples
- 我奶奶不吃肉，只吃蔬菜、豆腐什么的。Wǒ nǎi nai bù chī ròu, zhī chī shū cài, dòu fu shén me de.My grandma doesn't eat meat. She only eats vegetables, tofu, and so on.
- 养狗很麻烦，你要喂它，给它洗澡，跟它玩什么的。Yǎng gǒu hěn má fan, nǐ yào wèi tā, gěi tā xǐ zǎo, gēn tā wán shén me de.Having a dog is too much trouble. You need to feed it, give it a bath, play with it, and so on.
- 数学、物理、化学什么的，我都不感兴趣。Shù xué, wù lǐ, huà xué shén me de, wǒ dōu bù gǎn xìng qù.Math, physics, chemistry, and so on. I'm not interested in any of them.
- 明天去野餐，我们要不要买一些水果、零食什么的？Míng tiān qù yě cān, wǒ men yào bú yào mǎi yì xiē shuǐ guǒ, líng shí shén me de?We are going on picnic tomorrow. Shall we buy some fruits, snacks, and so on?
- 电视、洗衣机什么的，我爸爸都会修。Diàn shì, xǐ yī jī shén me de, wǒ bà ba dōu huì xiū.Televisions, washing machines, and so on. My father can fix all those.