HSK 6
动词+什么（就）是什么
dòng cí + shén me （ jiù ） shì shén me
The structure '动词+什么（就）是什么' to express compliance or rebuttal
Explanation
动词+什么（就）是什么 (dòngcí + shénme (jiù) shì shénme) is a colloquial pattern (everyday speech) that repeats the word 什么 (shénme = what) to express the idea 'whatever the verb says/wants, that is what it is'.
verb + 什么 (+ 就 jiù) + 是 + 什么. The word 什么 (shénme) here is not interrogative but refers to any arbitrary thing; 就 (jiù) is added for emphasis (说什么就是什么 = whatever is said is what goes).
There are two nuances. (1) Affirming submission or going along: 你说什么是什么 = whatever you say goes, I'll follow you. (2) In a rebutting question: 你想什么就是什么？ = you think you get whatever you want?, implying a rejection that things are not that easy.
Vietnamese learners often take 什么 here to be interrogative 'what', but in this pattern it means 'any whatever'; you must rely on context (agreement or rebuttal) to grasp the correct nuance.
Examples
All right! Whatever you say goes, I'll listen to you on everything.
How could it be that easy — you think you get whatever you want?
Practice
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Learn “动词+什么（就）是什么” effectively
The grammar point “动词+什么（就）是什么” (The structure '动词+什么（就）是什么' to express compliance or rebuttal) is one of the key structures at HSK 6. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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