Non-Exhaustive Listing with 什么的 in Chinese
什么的表未尽列举
Sentence-final 什么的 informally marks a non-exhaustive list: the named item or items are examples, and similar members are left unstated. It can follow nouns or an action phrase. In this use 什么 is not asking a question, and the whole expression behaves like conversational and so on or something like that.
Published August 5, 2026
Reviewed August 5, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Example(s) + 什么的
Read the structure
Sentence-final 什么的 informally marks a non-exhaustive list: the named item or items are examples, and similar members are left unstated. It can follow nouns or an action phrase. In this use 什么 is not asking a question, and the whole expression behaves like conversational and so on or something like that. Keep the model Example(s) + 什么的 visible while you compare each sentence.
我买了水果、面包什么的。
I bought fruit, bread, and so on.
Choose the right context
End an informal list while leaving similar items unstated. Mention one or more representative things conversationally. Suggest an action or something similar without fixing an exhaustive plan.
我们可以去看电影什么的。
We could go see a movie or something like that.
Respect the boundary
Do not read 什么 as an interrogative here. Do not place 什么的 before the examples it closes. Do not use a question mark solely because 什么 appears.
我买了什么的水果、面包。
(I bought and-so-on fruit, bread.)
Repair the pattern
The list marker precedes its examples: Non-exhaustive 什么的 follows the examples whose category it leaves open. The fixed marker is split: In this listing use, 什么的 stays together after the action phrase rather than forming an interrogative sequence.
我买了水果、面包什么的。
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.
我买了水果、面包什么的。
I bought fruit, bread, and so on.
我
Example(s)
This part occupies the Example(s) position in the model pattern.
买
什么的
This part occupies the 什么的 position in the model pattern.
了
Example(s)
This part occupies the Example(s) position in the model pattern.
水果
什么的
This part occupies the 什么的 position in the model pattern.
、
Example(s)
This part occupies the Example(s) position in the model pattern.
面包
什么的
This part occupies the 什么的 position in the model pattern.
什么
Example(s)
This part occupies the Example(s) position in the model pattern.
的
什么的
This part occupies the 什么的 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.
我买了水果、面包什么的。
I bought fruit, bread, and so on.
我们可以去看电影什么的。
We could go see a movie or something like that.
考试前多做点儿练习什么的。
Before the test, do more exercises and things like that.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- End an informal list while leaving similar items unstated.
- Mention one or more representative things conversationally.
- Suggest an action or something similar without fixing an exhaustive plan.
Do not use it when
- Do not read 什么 as an interrogative here.
- Do not place 什么的 before the examples it closes.
- Do not use a question mark solely because 什么 appears.
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.
我买了什么的水果、面包。
我买了水果、面包什么的。
The list marker precedes its examples
Non-exhaustive 什么的 follows the examples whose category it leaves open.
我们去看什么电影的。
我们可以去看电影什么的。
The fixed marker is split
In this listing use, 什么的 stays together after the action phrase rather than forming an interrogative sequence.
我买了什么的水果、面包。
Non-exhaustive 什么的 follows the examples whose category it leaves open.
我们去看什么电影的。
In this listing use, 什么的 stays together after the action phrase rather than forming an interrogative sequence.
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 什么的表未尽列举.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 什么的表未尽列举. 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
Non-Exhaustive Listing with 什么的 Questions
Is 什么的 a question here?
No. It marks an informal open-ended list and does not request an answer.
Can it follow an action?
Yes. A verb-object action may precede 什么的 to mean that action or something similar.
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, Level 2 item 【二43】, PDF p. 191 (printed p. 185)
Places 什么的 at Level 2 with non-exhaustive practice and shopping examples.
Official source现代汉语构式数据库
北京大学中国语言学研究中心 · Peking University · 2021
Locator: Construction detail 1626, X+什么+的
Documents the construction as X and other similar members, with subject, predicate, and object examples.
Official sourceLaoshi Chinese Grammar Reference
Laoshi editorial team · Laoshi · 2026
Locator: Grammar article 154, non-exhaustive lists with 什么的
Explains its informal listing use after nouns or action phrases.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
什么X的Y的什么X的Y的 for a Vague Dismissive List
Both contain 什么 and 的 but only this pattern closes an open-ended list.
Compare
多 / 多少 / 几 / 哪 / 哪儿 / 哪里 / 哪些 / 什么 / 谁 / 怎么Choosing Basic Question Pronouns by Missing Information
Listing 什么 does not request unknown information like an interrogative pronoun.
Easy to confuse
疑问代词的非疑问用法Non-Question Uses of Wh-Words
Non-exhaustive listing differs from context-licensed indefinite reference with 什么.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Easy to confuse
Both contain 什么 and 的 but only this pattern closes an open-ended list.