Non-Interrogative Use of Interrogative Pronouns (2)

Meaning

In Chinese, interrogative pronouns such as 哪 (nǎ), 哪儿 (nǎr), 什么 (shénme), 谁 (shéi), and 怎么 (zěnme) can also be used in non-question sentences.

In this usage, they have a general or unrestricted meaning, referring to any person, thing, place, time, or way.

The adverb 都 (dōu) is often used together with them.

Interrogative Pronoun + 都 → any / every / wherever / whatever / whenever

For example:

谁(shéi)都(dōu)everyone / anyone

什(shén)么(me)都(dōu)everything / anything

哪儿(nǎr)都(dōu)everywhere / anywhere

哪(nǎ)个(ge)都(dōu)any one of them

怎(zěn)么(me)都(dōu)however / in any way

Here, the interrogative pronoun does not ask a question.

哪(Nǎ)个(ge)菜(cài)都(dōu)好(hǎo)吃(chī)。

Every dish is delicious.

哪个 → which one 都 → any / all 哪个菜都好吃 → Any dish is delicious.

这(Zhè)次(cì)旅(lǚ)游(yóu)，我(wǒ)去(qù)哪儿(nǎr)都(dōu)可(kě)以(yǐ)。

On this trip, I can go anywhere.

哪儿 → where 都可以 → anywhere is okay / can go anywhere This is not asking 去哪儿？ — “Where are you going?” Instead, it means: anywhere is fine.

我(Wǒ)下(xià)午(wǔ)有(yǒu)时(shí)间(jiān)，你(nǐ)想(xiǎng)什(shén)么(me)时(shí)候(hou)来(lái)都(dōu)没(méi)问(wèn)题(tí)。

I'm free in the afternoon. You can come whenever you want.

什么时候 → when 都没问题 → whenever is fine / no problem

The key pattern is Interrogative Pronoun + 都. It gives the interrogative pronoun a general or unrestricted meaning.

你(Nǐ)去(qù)哪儿(nǎr)？Where are you going? → Question

你(Nǐ)去(qù)哪儿(nǎr)都(dōu)可(kě)以(yǐ)。You can go anywhere. → General meaning

疑问代词 + 都 → unrestricted meaning

谁(shéi)都(dōu)everyone / anyone

什(shén)么(me)都(dōu)everything / anything

哪儿(nǎr)都(dōu)everywhere / anywhere

哪(nǎ)个(ge)都(dōu)any one

什(shén)么(me)时(shí)候(hou)都(dōu)anytime / whenever