Introduction
When someone asks "那是什么意思?" (nà shì shén me yì sī?), they are asking for the meaning of something in Chinese. In English, we would say "What does that mean?"
Ways to Answer
There are a few ways to answer the question "那是什么意思?" Here are some examples:
- Direct Translation: You can simply translate the word or phrase into English. For example, if someone asks what "红色" (hóng sè) means, you can say "red."
- Explanation: Sometimes, a direct translation doesn't fully capture the meaning of a word or phrase. In this case, you can give an explanation. For example, if someone asks what "狗仔队" (gǒu zǎi duì) means, you can explain that it refers to paparazzi in Chinese.
- Context: Sometimes, the meaning of a word or phrase can only be understood in context. In this case, you can give an example or provide more information. For example, if someone asks what "熊猫眼" (xióng māo yǎn) means, you can explain that it refers to dark circles under the eyes that resemble a panda's eyes.
Common Phrases
Here are some common phrases that you might hear when someone asks "那是什么意思?" and how to answer them:
- 这是什么意思? (zhè shì shén me yì sī?): This means "What does this mean?" You can answer using one of the methods above.
- 我听不懂 (wǒ tīng bù dǒng): This means "I don't understand." If someone says this, you can try to explain in simpler terms or give more context.
- 可以再说一遍吗? (kě yǐ zài shuō yī biàn ma?): This means "Can you say it again?" If someone asks this, you can repeat what you said or try to explain in a different way.
Conclusion
When someone asks "那是什么意思?" they are looking for the meaning of something in Chinese. There are a few ways to answer, including direct translation, explanation, and context. It's also helpful to know common phrases that you might hear when someone asks this question, such as "这是什么意思?" and "我听不懂."