How to Say “What does this mean?” in Chinese
Small talk and travel · HSK 2
"What does this mean?" in Chinese is 这是什么意思？ (Zhè shì shénme yìsi?). This is the go-to phrase when you see a character, sign, or slang term you don't understand. 意思 (yìsi) literally means 'meaning,' but it's also used for 'intention' and even 'a small gift'; context decides.
Primary translation
这是什么意思？
Zhè shì shénme yìsi?
Traditional: 這是什麼意思？
Variants by register
Formal
请问这是什么意思？
Qǐngwèn zhè shì shénme yìsi?
Casual
这什么意思？
Zhè shénme yìsi?
When to use it
This is the go-to phrase when you see a character, sign, or slang term you don't understand. 意思 (yìsi) literally means 'meaning,' but it's also used for 'intention' and even 'a small gift'; context decides. Note 意思 is usually neutral tone on the second syllable (yì-si), not yì-sī. In chat, Chinese friends will often just type 啥意思? (shá yìsi?); 啥 is a casual northern replacement for 什么. Drop 这是 and say 什么意思? when pointing at something obvious.
Example sentences
这个字是什么意思？
Zhège zì shì shénme yìsi?
What does this character mean?
不好意思，刚才那句话是什么意思？
Bù hǎoyìsi, gāngcái nà jù huà shì shénme yìsi?
Sorry, what did that sentence just now mean?
他说的你懂什么意思吗？
Tā shuō de nǐ dǒng shénme yìsi ma?
Do you understand what he means?