Expressing “what” with 何 and 啥
Different words may express the same meaning and have the same usage depending on the style of speech. Let's learn how to use the colloquial and the written forms of the word 什么.
The pronoun 何
The pronoun 何 
is a literary version of a question word. It is synonymous with the more common question word 什么 and it can be used in the same way, either alone or before a noun.
is a literary version of a question word. It is synonymous with the more common question word 什么 and it can be used in the same way, either alone or before a noun.Examples
我们何时出发？
When do we leave?
wǒmen hé shí chūfā
不管你有何疑问，都可以到办公室找我
You can come to my office for any questions you my have
bùguǎn nǐ yǒu hé yíwèn, dōu kěyǐ dào bàngōngshì zhǎo wǒ
她的态度因何而起？
What is the cause of her attitude?
tā de tàidu yīn hé ér qǐ
The pronoun 啥
The pronoun 啥 is, on the contrary, the colloquial equivalent of 什么.
is, on the contrary, the colloquial equivalent of 什么.Examples
他在嘟囔些啥？
What is he mumbling about?
tā zài dūnāng xiē shá
啥是跳舞毯？
What is a dance pad?
shà shì tiàowǔtǎn
小说中没发生啥大事
Nothing big happens in the novel
xiǎoshuō zhōng méi fāshēng shà dàshì
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