Practical Notes
Help Phrases · Beginner
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.
这个是什么意思？
What does this mean?
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.
Common mistake
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’.
Practise aloud
Read each conversation from top to bottom.
这个是什么意思？ What does this mean?
是 ‘tea’ 的意思。 It means ‘tea’.
这个怎么读？ How do you pronounce it?
chá。 chá.
These two questions turn everything around you into study material. Ask them often — one new word at a time is enough.
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