Dismissive: 什么X的Y的 (What X and Y — Dismissing)
什么X的Y的
Dismiss or lump together categories using the colloquial 什么X的Y的 pattern
This pattern dismisses a group of things by listing them carelessly. X and Y are often contrasting or complementary items. The 什么 at the beginning signals dismissal, and the repeated 的 creates a casual, hand-waving tone.
X and Y are typically paired opposites (好/坏, 大/小) or items from the same category (作业/考试). The pattern can extend to three or more items: 什么X的Y的Z的.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Dismissive: 什么X的Y的 (What X and Y — Dismissing) (什么X的Y的)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 什么X的Y的 pattern
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Understanding 什么X的Y的
This is the Chinese equivalent of dismissively saying "all this X and Y and whatever" in English. When a Chinese speaker says 什么好的坏的, they are waving away the distinction between good and bad — "what good and bad, it does not matter!" The 什么 at the beginning is the dismissive element, and the repeated 的 after each item creates a rhythm that sounds casual and slightly impatient. This pattern is incredibly useful for expressing that you do not care about distinctions others are making. A parent might say 什么作业的考试的，先把饭吃了再说 (Forget about homework and tests and all that — eat your dinner first). A frustrated person might say 什么对的错的，我不想听了 (What right and wrong — I do not want to hear it anymore). The pattern reveals an attitude: the speaker considers the listed items unimportant or not worth distinguishing.
Key Points
- 什么 (shénme) here is dismissive, not interrogative — it means "what (do I care about)" not "what is."
- X and Y are often antonyms: 好/坏, 对/错, 大/小, 贵/便宜.
- X and Y can also be items from the same category: 唱歌/跳舞, 吃/喝.
- The 的 after each item creates the dismissive, list-like rhythm.
- Pattern can extend: 什么X的Y的Z的 for three or more items.
- Always implies the speaker considers these distinctions unimportant.
- Very colloquial — common in arguments and casual conversation.
- Tone is usually impatient, dismissive, or tired of the topic.
This pattern reflects a pragmatic Chinese attitude that sometimes cuts through endless deliberation. When someone is overthinking choices, a friend might use this to snap them out of it — 什么好的坏的，随便选一个就行了 (Stop worrying about good or bad — just pick one).
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
什么作业的考试的，先把饭吃了再说。
Forget about homework and tests — eat your dinner first.
A parent dismissing school worries
什么好的坏的，买到的都是一样的。
What good or bad — everything you buy is the same anyway.
什么对的错的，我不想再争了。
Right or wrong, whatever — I do not want to argue anymore.
什么唱歌的跳舞的，你就不能安静一会儿吗？
All this singing and dancing — can you not be quiet for a moment?
什么贵的便宜的，质量好就行。
Expensive or cheap, who cares — as long as the quality is good.
什么名牌的普通的，穿着舒服最重要。
Brand-name or ordinary, whatever — comfort is what matters most.
什么远的近的大的小的，你到底要去哪儿？
Far, near, big, small, whatever — where on earth do you want to go?
Extended pattern with four items
Common Mistakes
Each item needs 的 after it — this creates the dismissive rhythm. Without 的, it sounds incomplete.
什么 appears only once at the beginning. The 的 follows each item, not 什么.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
The key to sounding natural is the dismissive tone — say 什么 with a slightly exasperated, hand-waving intonation.
Pair this with a practical conclusion: 什么X的Y的 + sensible advice. This creates the "stop overthinking, here is what matters" vibe.
This pattern is perfect for cutting through indecision: 什么这个的那个的，快点决定吧！
You can extend to three or more items for comic effect: 什么高的矮的胖的瘦的.
Homework
Write four sentences using 什么X的Y的 in different contexts: dismissing food choices, dismissing worries, dismissing fashion preferences, and dismissing someone's excuses.
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