你喜欢吃什么？ (nǐ xǐhuan chī shénme?) means "What do you like to eat?" — one of the first useful questions you'll ask in real Chinese conversation. 什么 (shénme) is the Chinese question word for "what," and it slots into sentences more simply than you might expect.
什么 follows two structures. Place it after a verb to ask "what" — Verb + 什么？ — or before a noun to ask "what kind of." The key insight: 什么 goes in the same spot where the answer would go. In the example 你喜欢吃什么？, the question word sits right after 吃 (chī, to eat), asking what the person likes to eat. The answer would replace 什么 with a specific food.
In this roughly 10-minute HSK 1 speaking lesson, you talk out loud with AI teacher Mei Lin in real time — voice, not typing. Mei Lin corrects your grammar and pronunciation in the flow of conversation and adapts to your level. You'll practice asking what things are, finding out what someone wants to eat or drink, and asking someone their name. Each live conversation lesson targets one specific grammar pattern, so you stay focused on 什么 from start to finish.
After this lesson, you can also explore Asking Where or Asking Prices for more question-word practice. To reinforce what you learn, print handwriting worksheets with the free Chinese Worksheet Generator. You can try the first lesson free.
什么 goes in the same position where the answer would appear. After a verb, it asks "what" — as in 你喜欢吃什么？ (nǐ xǐhuan chī shénme?), "What do you like to eat?" Before a noun, it asks "what kind of." This live lesson trains both placements through real conversation with Mei Lin.
You'll ask what things are, find out what someone wants to eat or drink, and ask someone their name — all using 什么 (shénme). Mei Lin responds in real time and corrects your grammar and pronunciation as you speak, so you build confidence with the pattern naturally.
Each live conversation lesson targets one grammar pattern and takes roughly 10 minutes. This one focuses entirely on 什么 (shénme) — Asking 'What' — so you get concentrated practice without switching topics. You can try the first lesson free.