你想吃什么？
nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?
What do you want to eat · trad. 你想吃什麼？
你想吃什么？ (nǐ xiǎng chī shénme) is a very common question used to ask someone what they would like to eat, often when deciding on a meal together.
What does 你想吃什么？ (nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?) mean?
你想吃什么？ (nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?) means “what do you want to eat” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “you want eat what?”
When to use it
Neutral and polite. It's suitable for asking friends, family, or even colleagues. For a more formal or respectful tone, you could add 您 (nín) instead of 你 (nǐ).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “nee-shyung-CHURR-shun-muh.” The tones are falling, rising, high-flat, and neutral.
Other ways to say it
- 你吃什么？nǐ chī shénme?What are you eating? / What will you eat?
- 你想吃点什么？nǐ xiǎng chī diǎn shénme?What would you like to eat? (a bit softer)
- 你想吃什么饭？nǐ xiǎng chī shénme fàn?What kind of meal do you want to eat?
Examples
你想吃什么？我们去那家新餐厅吧！
nǐ xiǎng chī shénme? wǒmen qù nà jiā xīn cāntīng ba!
What do you want to eat? Let's go to that new restaurant!
妈妈问我，你想吃什么？
māma wèn wǒ, nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?
Mom asked me, what do you want to eat?
晚上你想吃什么？我来做饭。
wǎnshang nǐ xiǎng chī shénme? wǒ lái zuò fàn.
What do you want to eat tonight? I'll cook.
Pro tip: When asked “你想吃什么？”, avoid answering 随便 (suíbiàn, “whatever”). While it means 'whatever,' it can imply you don't care or are being difficult, making it harder for the other person to choose.
Related phrases
好喝 · Tasty (drink)我吃饱了 · I'm full多吃点 · Eat a little more
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