什么X的Y的 for a Vague Dismissive List in Chinese
什么X的Y的
This colloquial construction loosely lists categories, reasons, or labels while signaling that the speaker does not accept, value, or care to distinguish them precisely. The repeated 的 packages the items as one vague set. It differs from an ordinary 什么 question followed accidentally by an adjective, 的, and a noun.
Published July 29, 2026
Reviewed July 29, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
什么 + Category X + 的 + Category Y + 的
Read the structure
This colloquial construction loosely lists categories, reasons, or labels while signaling that the speaker does not accept, value, or care to distinguish them precisely. The repeated 的 packages the items as one vague set. It differs from an ordinary 什么 question followed accidentally by an adjective, 的, and a noun. Keep the model 什么 + Category X + 的 + Category Y + 的 visible while you compare each sentence.
我不管什么新的旧的，能用就行。
I do not care whether it is new or old; usable is enough.
Choose the right context
Dismiss several labels or categories as unimportant. Refer vaguely to a list the listener can infer. Use it in conversation to challenge another person's distinctions or excuses.
什么专家的领导的，大家都要按规则办事。
Experts, leaders, whatever the label, everyone must follow the rules.
Respect the boundary
Do not use it when genuinely asking which item is meant. Do not duplicate a category merely to fill both slots. Avoid it in neutral formal classification that requires precise categories.
我不管什么新的新的，能用就行。
(I do not care whether it is new or new.)
Repair the pattern
The same category is pointlessly duplicated: The frame coordinates distinct categories; repeating one identical category creates no list or contrast. An extra 的 is inserted before the first category: 什么 directly introduces the first category; 的 follows each listed item instead.
我不管什么新的旧的，能用就行。
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.
我不管什么新的旧的，能用就行。
I do not care whether it is new or old; usable is enough.
我
什么
This part occupies the 什么 position in the model pattern.
不管
Category X
This part occupies the Category X position in the model pattern.
什么
的
This part occupies the 的 position in the model pattern.
新的
Category Y
This part occupies the Category Y position in the model pattern.
旧
的
This part occupies the 的 position in the model pattern.
的
什么
This part occupies the 什么 position in the model pattern.
，
Category X
This part occupies the Category X position in the model pattern.
能
的
This part occupies the 的 position in the model pattern.
用
Category Y
This part occupies the Category Y position in the model pattern.
就
的
This part occupies the 的 position in the model pattern.
行
什么
This part occupies the 什么 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.
我不管什么新的旧的，能用就行。
I do not care whether it is new or old; usable is enough.
什么专家的领导的，大家都要按规则办事。
Experts, leaders, whatever the label, everyone must follow the rules.
别说什么忙的累的，先把话讲清楚。
Do not give me talk about being busy or tired; explain it clearly first.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Dismiss several labels or categories as unimportant.
- Refer vaguely to a list the listener can infer.
- Use it in conversation to challenge another person's distinctions or excuses.
Do not use it when
- Do not use it when genuinely asking which item is meant.
- Do not duplicate a category merely to fill both slots.
- Avoid it in neutral formal classification that requires precise categories.
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.
我不管什么新的新的，能用就行。
我不管什么新的旧的，能用就行。
The same category is pointlessly duplicated
The frame coordinates distinct categories; repeating one identical category creates no list or contrast.
别说什么的忙的累的。
别说什么忙的累的。
An extra 的 is inserted before the first category
什么 directly introduces the first category; 的 follows each listed item instead.
我不管什么新的新的，能用就行。
The frame coordinates distinct categories; repeating one identical category creates no list or contrast.
别说什么的忙的累的。
什么 directly introduces the first category; 的 follows each listed item instead.
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 什么X的Y的.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 什么X的Y的. 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
什么X的Y的 for a Vague Dismissive List Questions
Is 什么 asking a question here?
No. The whole frame presents a vague, often dismissive set rather than requesting an answer.
Must X and Y be nouns?
No. They can be category labels, descriptions, or reasons that become list items through 的.
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: Appendix A, combined Levels 7–9 item 【七—九141】, PDF p. 258
Lists the 什么X的Y的 construction in the advanced band with dismissive category examples.
Official sourceCPG-Eval: A Chinese Grammar Evaluation Benchmark
CPG-Eval research team · arXiv · 2025
Locator: Construction description for 什么X的Y的 in the benchmark taxonomy
Defines the construction as vaguely listing or generalizing categories and distinguishes accidental surface lookalikes.
Official sourceLaoshi Chinese Grammar Reference
Laoshi editorial team · Laoshi · 2026
Locator: Grammar page 526, 什么X的Y的, usage notes
Documents its colloquial use for disagreement, comment, and loosely grouped noun or adjective categories.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Continue learning
疑问代词的非疑问用法Non-Question Uses of Wh-Words
Extend noninterrogative 什么 into a complete vague and dismissive category list.
Easy to confuse
什么 / 谁 / 哪儿 / 怎么Question Words Stay in Place
Distinguish a genuine 什么 information gap from a dismissive list that requests no answer.
Easy to confuse
的/得/地的 vs 得 vs 地 (the three de)
The repeated 的 packages categories, unlike ordinary 的 marking one modifier before a noun.
Compare
哪有X这么Y的 / 有这样Y的吗哪有…这么…的? as a Rhetorical Challenge
Compare dismissing category labels with a rhetorical question challenging an observed situation.
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Extend noninterrogative 什么 into a complete vague and dismissive category list.