How to use 什么的
Noun 1, Noun 2 + 什么的
什么的 can follow an informal list to indicate other items of the same general kind. The listener is expected to infer the category from what has been named. A single clear example can be enough, and the list may describe activities as well as objects when the broader set is easy to understand.
The expression keeps the list open rather than announcing an exact inventory. It is conversational, so choose another form when a more formal or respectful list is needed. Lists of people's names require particular attention to tone and relationship, since a casual “and the like” can sound dismissive. This is a list ending, not an ordinary question asking what the final item is.
Examples with pinyin and English
我奶奶不吃肉，只吃蔬菜、豆腐什么的。
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。
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。
Math, physics, chemistry, and so on. I'm not interested in any of them.
我喜欢实用的礼物，手表、衣服、书什么的。
I like practical presents: watches, clothes, books, and so on.
What to remember
- Place 什么的 after the illustrative item or list.
- Make the shared category easy to infer.
- Consider formality when listing people's names.
Practise the pattern
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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