====== shéi: 谁 - Who, Whom ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 谁, shéi, shuí, who in Chinese, Chinese question word, how to ask who in Chinese, interrogative pronoun, Chinese grammar, learn Chinese, HSK 1, who vs whom Chinese
  * **Summary:** Learn how to use "谁" (shéi / shuí), the essential Chinese interrogative pronoun for "who" and "whom". This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, character breakdown, cultural nuances, practical grammar, and provides 10+ example sentences. Discover the difference between the common "shéi" and formal "shuí" pronunciations and avoid common mistakes English speakers make with Chinese question word order.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shéi / shuí
  * **Part of Speech:** Interrogative Pronoun
  * **HSK Level:** 1
  * **Concise Definition:** An interrogative pronoun used to ask "who" or "whom".
  * **In a Nutshell:** "谁" is the fundamental word you use in Mandarin to ask about a person's identity. Think of it as the direct equivalent of "who." One of the most important things for a beginner to know is that, unlike in English, "谁" simply takes the place of the person in the sentence you are asking about, so the basic sentence structure doesn't change.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **谁 (shéi):** This is a phono-semantic compound character.
    * **讠(yán):** The "speech" radical on the left. This radical is a simplified form of 言 and indicates that the character is related to speaking, language, or asking questions.
    * **隹 (zhuī):** The component on the right. In ancient Chinese, it meant "short-tailed bird." In this character, its primary function is phonetic, providing the sound for the word.
  * The combination of the "speech" radical and the phonetic component "隹" creates a character used for asking a question about a person.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
While "谁" is a basic question word, its usage can touch upon important cultural norms of directness and politeness. In many Western cultures, asking a stranger "Who are you?" can be a neutral, direct question depending on the context.
In Chinese culture, however, directly asking an unfamiliar person "**你是谁？**" (Nǐ shì shéi? - Who are you?) can sound blunt, confrontational, or even rude. It implies a demand for identity and can create an uncomfortable situation. It is culturally preferred to use more indirect and respectful ways to inquire about someone's identity, especially a superior or elder. For example, one might ask:
  * **请问您贵姓？ (Qǐngwèn nín guìxìng?)** - "May I ask your honorable surname?" (Very formal)
  * **请问您怎么称呼？ (Qǐngwèn nín zěnme chēnghu?)** - "May I ask how I should address you?" (Polite and common)
This highlights a broader cultural value of maintaining harmony and showing respect (giving "face" or [[面子|miànzi]]) by avoiding overly direct or potentially challenging questions.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
"谁" is an incredibly versatile word used daily.
  * **As a Question Word ("Who?"):** This is its most common function. It directly replaces the noun (the person) in a statement to form a question.
    * Statement: **他**是我的老师。 (Tā shì wǒ de lǎoshī.) - **He** is my teacher.
    * Question: **谁**是你的老师？ (**Shéi** shì nǐ de lǎoshī?) - **Who** is your teacher?
  * **As an Indefinite Pronoun ("Whoever," "Anyone"):** "谁" can also mean "whoever" or "anyone," especially when used with [[都]] (dōu) or [[也]] (yě).
    * **谁**想来**都**可以。 (**Shéi** xiǎng lái **dōu** kěyǐ.) - **Whoever** wants to come is welcome.
  * **In Rhetorical Questions:** It can be used rhetorically to mean "nobody" or "everyone."
    * 这件事**谁**不知道啊？ (Zhè jiàn shì **shéi** bù zhīdào a?) - **Who** doesn't know about this? (Implying: Everyone knows.)
  * **Pronunciation Note (shéi vs. shuí):**
    * **shéi:** The overwhelmingly common pronunciation in daily, spoken Mandarin across mainland China. It's informal and natural.
    * **shuí:** The more traditional, formal pronunciation. You will hear it in news broadcasts, formal speeches, and when singing. While grammatically correct, using it in casual conversation can sound a bit stiff or overly formal. Beginners should default to **shéi**.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 他是**谁**？
    * Pinyin: Tā shì **shéi**?
    * English: Who is he?
    * Analysis: The most basic question structure. "谁" simply replaces the unknown person in the object position of the sentence.
  * **Example 2:**
    * **谁**吃了我的蛋糕？
    * Pinyin: **Shéi** chīle wǒ de dàngāo?
    * English: Who ate my cake?
    * Analysis: Here, "谁" acts as the subject of the sentence. The word order is exactly the same as the equivalent statement would be (e.g., "小明吃了我的蛋糕" - Xiǎo Míng ate my cake).
  * **Example 3:**
    * 你在找**谁**？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ zài zhǎo **shéi**?
    * English: Who are you looking for?
    * Analysis: A very common question. "谁" is the object of the verb "找" (zhǎo - to look for). Notice how it comes at the end, unlike in English.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 这是**谁**的书？
    * Pinyin: Zhè shì **shéi** de shū?
    * English: Whose book is this?
    * Analysis: Adding the possessive particle [[的]] (de) after "谁" creates the meaning "whose."
  * **Example 5:**
    * **谁**想去，**谁**就去吧。
    * Pinyin: **Shéi** xiǎng qù, **shéi** jiù qù ba.
    * English: Whoever wants to go, just go.
    * Analysis: This structure "谁..., 谁就..." is a common way to say "Whoever does X, that person does Y." It shows the use of "谁" as an indefinite pronoun.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 这个问题，我应该问**谁**？
    * Pinyin: Zhè ge wèntí, wǒ yīnggāi wèn **shéi**?
    * English: Regarding this question, who should I ask?
    * Analysis: This shows a more complex sentence where the topic ("这个问题") is fronted, but the core grammar "我问谁" (I ask who) remains intact.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 除了他，还有**谁**知道？
    * Pinyin: Chúle tā, hái yǒu **shéi** zhīdào?
    * English: Besides him, who else knows?
    * Analysis: Demonstrates "谁" used in combination with other adverbs like "还" (hái - also, else).
  * **Example 8:**
    * **谁**说不是呢？
    * Pinyin: **Shéi** shuō búshì ne?
    * English: Who says it isn't? (Exactly! / I agree!)
    * Analysis: A common rhetorical phrase used to express strong agreement. The literal meaning is a question, but the function is to agree with what someone just said.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 不管**谁**来，我都不开门。
    * Pinyin: Bùguǎn **shéi** lái, wǒ dōu bù kāimén.
    * English: No matter who comes, I'm not opening the door.
    * Analysis: Using "不管" (bùguǎn - no matter) with "谁" reinforces the "whoever/anyone" meaning.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 你以为你是**谁**啊？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ yǐwéi nǐ shì **shéi** a?
    * English: Who do you think you are?
    * Analysis: A confrontational, rhetorical question, just like its English counterpart. The tone is aggressive.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Mistake 1: Incorrect Word Order.**
    * English speakers often try to put "who" at the front of the sentence, as in English.
    * **Incorrect:** **谁**你在找？ (**Shéi** nǐ zài zhǎo?)
    * **Correct:** 你在找**谁**？ (Nǐ zài zhǎo **shéi**?)
    * **Rule of Thumb:** Formulate the statement first (e.g., "我在找**妈妈**" - I am looking for **Mom**). Then, simply replace the person/answer ("妈妈") with "谁" to form the question.
  * **Mistake 2: Overusing the formal "shuí".**
    * While not technically "incorrect," using "shuí" in casual chat with friends can make you sound like a textbook or a news anchor. Stick to "shéi" for 99% of your daily conversations to sound more natural.
  * **Mistake 3: Being Too Direct.**
    * As mentioned in the cultural section, asking "你是谁?" (Nǐ shì shéi?) can be impolite. It's a common mistake for beginners who directly translate "Who are you?". Opt for a softer approach like "请问您是...?" (Qǐngwèn nín shì...? - May I ask, you are...?).
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[什么]] (shénme) - What; The question word for things and concepts.
  * [[哪里]] (nǎlǐ) / [[哪儿]] (nǎr) - Where; The question word for places.
  * [[哪个]] (nǎge / něige) - Which (one); Used to ask for a choice from a specific set of options.
  * [[什么时候]] (shénme shíhou) - When; The question phrase for time.
  * [[为什么]] (wèishénme) - Why; The question word for reasons.
  * [[怎么]] (zěnme) - How; Used to ask about the manner or method of an action.
  * [[几]] (jǐ) - How many; Typically used for asking about numbers expected to be small (under 10).
  * [[多少]] (duōshao) - How many / how much; Used for asking about larger numbers or prices.