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HSK 2.0 Level 3+ HSK 3.0 Level 3+ 7 min read

Question Words Without Questions: 谁都, 什么都

Use 谁, 什么, 哪儿 and 怎么 to mean “anyone”, “anything”, “whatever” or “something” in statements, not questions.

Pattern

question word + 都/也 + verb; question word … 就 … same question word; verb + (点儿) + question word

Before 都 a question word means “any”; repeated, it means “whatever”; tucked into a statement, it means “some”.

这个孩子什么都吃。

When to use Question Words Without Questions: 谁都, 什么都

A question word does not always ask a question. Put 都 or 也 right after it and it means “any, every”: 谁都 “anyone, everyone”, 什么都 “anything, everything”, 哪儿都 “anywhere”. The question word and 都 both go before the verb, even when the question word is the object: 我什么都吃, not 我吃什么都. With 不 or 没 after 都/也, it means “nobody, nothing, nowhere”: 谁也没来 “nobody came”.

这件事谁都知道。

Everyone knows about this.

放假的时候，我哪儿都不想去。

During the holidays I don’t want to go anywhere.

我怎么也找不到我的手机。

I can’t find my phone no matter what I do.

你想吃什么就吃什么。

Eat whatever you like.

Common traps

  • Say 我什么都吃, not 我吃什么都: the question word and 都 both go before the verb.
  • Put 不 or 没 after 都/也: 我什么也不想吃 “I don’t want to eat anything”, not 我不什么都想吃.
  • 你想吃点儿什么吗？ asks “Do you want something to eat?”; drop the 吗 only if you mean “What do you want to eat?”

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

都可以参加

Anyone may participate. Refer to a person
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