Non-Interrogative Use of Interrogative Pronouns (1)

Meaning

In Chinese, interrogative pronouns such as 哪儿 (nǎr), 什么 (shénme), 谁 (shéi), and 哪 (nǎ) are not always used to ask questions.

They can also be used in declarative sentences to refer to an unspecified or unknown place, thing, or person.

In this usage, they can often be translated as: 哪儿 → somewhere / anywhere 什么 → something / anything 谁 → someone / anyone 哪 → some / any

Interrogative Pronoun + Declarative Sentence

Here, the interrogative pronoun does not ask a question. Instead, it refers to something unspecified or not clearly identified.

哪儿(nǎr)somewhere / anywhere

什(shén)么(me)something / anything

谁(shéi)someone / anyone

哪(nǎ)some / any

我(Wǒ)好(hǎo)像(xiàng)在(zài)哪儿(nǎr)看(kàn)到(dào)过(guo)这(zhè)个(ge)箱(xiāng)子(zi)。

I think I've seen this suitcase somewhere before.

哪儿 → somewhere It is not a question. The speaker simply does not remember the exact place.

你(Nǐ)吃(chī)点儿(diǎnr)什(shén)么(me)再(zài)走(zǒu)吧(ba)。

Have something to eat before you leave.

什么 → something Here, 什么 is not being used to ask “what?”

我(Wǒ)们(men)哪(nǎ)天(tiān)一(yì)起(qǐ)去(qù)踢(tī)足(zú)球(qiú)吧(ba)。

Let's go play soccer together one day.

哪天 → one day / some day The exact day has not been decided yet.

Its meaning depends on the context.

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

But:

我(Wǒ)好(hǎo)像(xiàng)在(zài)哪儿(nǎr)见(jiàn)过(guo)他(tā)。I think I've seen him somewhere before. → Declarative sentence

Interrogative Pronoun + Declarative Sentence → unspecified place / thing / person

哪儿 → somewhere / anywhere 什么 → something / anything 谁 → someone / anyone 哪 → some / any