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Introduction to WH-ever Sentences
WH-ever sentences in Chinese are created by using question words (谁, 什么, 哪儿, etc.) without their interrogative function. Instead, they take on the meaning of “whoever”, “whatever”, “wherever”.
These sentences follow a conditional pattern where the first clause sets a condition with a question word, and the second clause states the consequence, often with the same question word repeated.
Question Word +
Condition +
, +
Question Word +
Result/Action
Conditional Flow Visualization
Condition Clause
谁行
whoever can do it
Sets the condition with question word
Result Clause
谁就上
then that person does it
States the consequence
Complete Sentence: 谁行谁就上。
(Whoever can do it does it.)
Key Features of WH-ever Sentences
1. Question Words Lose Interrogative Function
In these sentences, question words do not ask questions. Instead, they function as indefinite pronouns:
谁 = whoever
什么 = whatever
哪儿 = wherever
2. Conditional Structure
The sentence has two parts connected by a conditional relationship:
[Condition] + [Result]
“If X, then Y”
谁准备好了，谁就先开始。
Whoever is ready begins first.
谁 (shéi)
谁
shéi / shuí
who → whoever
谁 + Condition, 谁 + Result
Whoever [condition], that person [result]
什么 (shénme)
什么
shénme
what → whatever
什么 + Condition, 什么 + Result
Whatever [condition], that thing [result]
哪儿 (nǎr)
哪儿
nǎr
where → wherever
哪儿 + Condition, 哪儿 + Result
Wherever [condition], that place [result]
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谁 (shéi) = “whoever”
When 谁 is used in WH-ever sentences, it means “whoever” or “anyone who”. The structure typically follows the pattern: 谁 + Condition, 谁 + Result.
The repetition of 谁 in both clauses creates a conditional relationship: the person who meets the condition will be the one who performs the action.
谁 +
Condition +
, +
谁 +
就 + Result
Examples with 谁 (whoever)
| Structure |
Chinese |
English Translation |
Audio |
| 谁 + Condition, 谁 + 就 + Result |
谁行谁就上。
shéi xíng shéi jiù shàng.
|
Whoever can do it does it. |
|
| 谁 + Condition, 谁 + 就 + Result |
谁知道路怎么走，谁就带我们去。
shéi zhīdào lù zěnme zǒu, shéi jiù dài wǒmen qù.
|
Whoever knows the way takes us there. |
|
| 谁 + Condition, 谁 + 就 + Result |
谁准备好了，谁就先开始。
shéi zhǔnbèi hǎole, shéi jiù xiān kāishǐ.
|
Whoever is ready begins first. |
|
谁 as “Whoever”
谁 changes from a question word to an indefinite pronoun:
As Question Word:
你是谁？
nǐ shì shéi?
Who are you? (asking for specific person)
As “Whoever”:
谁行谁就上。
shéi xíng shéi jiù shàng.
Whoever can do it does it (any person who meets condition).
Key: No question being asked – 谁 refers to an indefinite person.
Conditional Relationship
The structure creates an “if-then” relationship:
Condition Clause:
谁知道路怎么走
whoever knows the way
Function: Sets the condition
Result Clause:
谁就带我们去
then that person takes us there
Function: States the consequence
English Equivalent: “If someone knows the way, then that person takes us there.”
Repetition Pattern
The repetition of 谁 is crucial to the structure:
First 谁: Introduces the condition
Second 谁: Refers back to the person from the condition.
Function: Creates coherence – the second 谁 clearly refers to whoever met the condition in the first clause.
就 (jiù) Function
就 often appears in the result clause:
Meaning: “then”, “in that case”
谁准备好了，谁就开始。
Whoever is ready begins.
谁准备好了，谁就开始。
Whoever is ready, then that person begins.
Position: Usually after the second question word
谁 + 就 + Verb
whoever + then + action
Note: 就 can sometimes be omitted in casual speech.
With Explicit 就
谁知道路怎么走，谁就带我们去。
shéi zhīdào lù zěnme zǒu, shéi jiù dài wǒmen qù
Whoever knows the way, then that person takes us there
Emphasis: Strong conditional connection
Formality: More standard/formal
Without 就
谁行谁上。
shéi xíng shéi shàng
Whoever can do it does it
Emphasis: More direct, concise
Formality: More casual/conversational
3
什么 (shénme) = “whatever”
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4
哪儿 (nǎr) = “wherever”
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Practice Exercises
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