Chinese Character: 何
1. Character Basics
Radical: 亻/rén (person) + 可/kě (can)
Stroke Count: 7 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Hé (Second tone) or Hē (First tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: What; which; how; why; where; who
Extended Meaning: How much; what kind of; why not; any
Additional Meaning: Used as an interrogative pronoun or adverb to ask questions
4. Common Words
- 何时 (hé shí) - When; what time
Example: 你何时到达北京？
(When will you arrive in Beijing?) - 何处 (hé chù) - Where; what place
Example: 你来自何处？
(Where are you from?) - 如何 (rú hé) - How; what way
Example: 我们如何解决这个问题？
(How do we solve this problem?) - 为何 (wèi hé) - Why; for what reason
Example: 你为何迟到？
(Why are you late?) - 何人 (hé rén) - Who; what person
Example: 这是何人所为？
(Who did this?)
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Pronoun, adverb
Usage:
- As an interrogative pronoun: Used to ask questions about people, things, time, place, etc. (e.g., 何人 - who)
- As an adverb: Used to ask about manner, reason, or method (e.g., 如何 - how)
- In classical Chinese, it can also be used as a particle or exclamation
Common Structures:
- 何 + [noun]: Forming interrogative phrases (e.g., 何事 - what matter)
- 何 + [verb]: Forming questions about actions (e.g., 何往 - where to go)
Usage Notes: "何" is one of the most common interrogative words in Chinese, used in both spoken and written language. It's important to learn its various combinations and usages.
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture and language, "何" has a long history and is one of the most fundamental interrogative words. It appears frequently in classical Chinese literature, poetry, and philosophical texts, demonstrating its importance in Chinese communication.
The character "何" is composed of "亻" (person) and "可" (can), which some linguists interpret as "what can a person do" or "what is possible for a person." This reflects the inquisitive nature of human thought and the importance of asking questions in Chinese intellectual tradition.
In classical poetry, "何" is often used to express longing, wonder, or philosophical questioning. For example, the famous line "明月几时有，把酒问青天" (When will the bright moon appear? With a cup of wine, I ask the blue sky) uses "几" (how many) and "问" (ask) together with the spirit of inquiry embodied in "何."
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
你有何事？
(What do you have? / What's the matter?)
Example 2:
无论发生什么，我们都要坚持下去，何惧困难？
(No matter what happens, we must persist. Why fear difficulties?)
Example 3:
这本书何时出版？
(When will this book be published?)
8. Memory Tips
1. Structure Memory: The character 何 is composed of "亻" (person) and "可" (can). Imagine a person asking "what can be done?" or "what is possible."
2. Question Word Association: Remember that "何" is similar to question words in English like "what," "which," "how," "why," and "where."
3. Common Phrases: Learn common phrases with "何" such as 何时 (when), 何处 (where), 如何 (how), and 为何 (why) to reinforce your memory.
4. Stroke Order Practice: Follow the correct stroke order (撇, 竖, 横, 竖, 横折, 横, 竖钩) to help remember the character's structure.
5. Sentence Making: Practice making questions using "何" to become familiar with its usage in different contexts.