何: Formal Question Word in Chinese
何
何 is a formal or literary question word used in compounds such as 何时, 何处, and 何故, or before a noun in 有何疑问. Like other Mandarin question words, the complete 何 expression stays where its answer would appear. It does not move to sentence-initial position by English question rules.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
何时 / 何处 / 何故 / 有何 + Noun
Read the structure
何 is a formal or literary question word used in compounds such as 何时, 何处, and 何故, or before a noun in 有何疑问. Like other Mandarin question words, the complete 何 expression stays where its answer would appear. It does not move to sentence-initial position by English question rules. Keep the model 何时 / 何处 / 何故 / 有何 + Noun visible while you compare each sentence.
我们何时出发？
When are we leaving?
Choose the right context
Ask ‘when’ formally with 何时. Ask about a type or amount with 有何 + noun. Use fixed written forms such as 何处 or 何故.
你有何疑问？
What questions do you have?
Respect the boundary
Do not add 吗 to an information question containing 何. Do not move 何时 away from the answer position. Do not use bare 何 as an ordinary conversational substitute for 什么.
我们何时出发吗？
(When are we leaving yes-or-no?)
Repair the pattern
吗 is added to an information question: 何时 already forms an information question; sentence-final 吗 would incorrectly turn it into a yes-no question. 何 is separated from its noun: In this construction, 何 directly modifies 疑问 inside the object phrase 有何疑问.
我们何时出发？
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
我们何时出发？
When are we leaving?
我们
何时 / 何处 / 何故 / 有何
This part occupies the 何时 / 何处 / 何故 / 有何 position in the model pattern.
何时
Noun
This part occupies the Noun position in the model pattern.
出发
何时 / 何处 / 何故 / 有何
This part occupies the 何时 / 何处 / 何故 / 有何 position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
我们何时出发？
When are we leaving?
你有何疑问？
What questions do you have?
会议将在何处举行？
Where will the meeting be held?
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Ask ‘when’ formally with 何时.
- Ask about a type or amount with 有何 + noun.
- Use fixed written forms such as 何处 or 何故.
Do not use it when
- Do not add 吗 to an information question containing 何.
- Do not move 何时 away from the answer position.
- Do not use bare 何 as an ordinary conversational substitute for 什么.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
我们何时出发吗？
我们何时出发？
吗 is added to an information question
何时 already forms an information question; sentence-final 吗 would incorrectly turn it into a yes-no question.
你何有疑问？
你有何疑问？
何 is separated from its noun
In this construction, 何 directly modifies 疑问 inside the object phrase 有何疑问.
我们何时出发吗？
何时 already forms an information question; sentence-final 吗 would incorrectly turn it into a yes-no question.
你何有疑问？
In this construction, 何 directly modifies 疑问 inside the object phrase 有何疑问.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 何.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 何. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
何: Formal Question Word Questions
Is 何 common in conversation?
It is mostly formal or literary. Everyday speech usually uses 什么, 什么时候, or 哪里.
Where does 何时 go?
It occupies the normal time position, where the answer would appear: 我们明天出发 → 我们何时出发？
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, combined Levels 7–9 item 【七—九002】, 疑问代词：何 (printed p. 237)
Supports placement in the official combined Levels 7-9 band; the exact site level remains an internal difficulty label; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 28, §28.6, formal content-question words 何时、何故、何为 and in-situ question order
Lists formal 何 compounds and states that Mandarin content questions retain answer-position word order.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
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