How to use 什么都
什么 + 都 / 也⋯⋯
什么 combined with 都 can express an unrestricted set rather than ask a question. The phrase precedes the predicate and means that it applies to everything relevant. A noun after 什么 can define the category, making clear which kinds of things the speaker includes. The larger conversation supplies the appropriate scope.
With 不 or 没, the pattern can express that no relevant item is included in the action or state. 也 is particularly common in these negative constructions, although 都 also appears. Word order matters: the inclusive phrase and particle come before the negative predicate. Do not translate 什么 automatically as interrogative “what” when its pairing with 都 or 也 creates a universal or negative meaning.
Examples with pinyin and English
我觉得这里的菜什么都好吃。
I think everything is delicious here.
中国的历史爸爸什么都知道。
My dad knows everything about Chinese history.
工作的事情老公什么都跟我说。
My husband tells me everything about work stuff.
妈妈做的菜我什么都喜欢。
I like everything that mom cooks.
What to remember
- Read 什么 with 都 as an inclusive pattern.
- A following noun can define the category.
- Keep the negative after 都 or 也.
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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.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.