How to Ask ‘What Does This Mean?’ in Chinese

Turn any new word into a mini lesson with two short questions.

Quick answer

Point at the word and ask 这个是什么意思？for the meaning, or 这个怎么读？for the pronunciation.

zhège shì shénme yìsi?

这个是什么意思？

What does this mean?

zhège zěnme dú?

这个怎么读？

How do you pronounce this?

Hear the phrase, then repeat it aloud.

When to use it

Use these while pointing at a word, a sign, or a menu item. They work in lessons and in daily life.

Keep 是什么意思 together as one pattern. 意思 is the noun ‘meaning’, so you do not need an extra verb for ‘mean’.

Read each conversation from top to bottom.

zhège shì shénme yìsi? 这个是什么意思？ What does this mean?

shì ‘tea’ de yìsi. 是 ‘tea’ 的意思。 It means ‘tea’.

zhège zěnme dú? 这个怎么读？ How do you pronounce it?

chá. chá。 chá.

You’ve got this!

These two questions turn everything around you into study material. Ask them often — one new word at a time is enough.