Various ways to say “What does this mean” in Chinese

The common expressions

This is the most common and straightforward way to ask “What does this mean?” You can replace the subject with any item you want to refer to.

e.g.

这句话是什么意思？ (Zhè jù huà shì shénme yìsi?) What does this sentence mean?

这个符号是什么意思？ (Zhège fúhào shì shénme yìsi?) What does this symbol mean?

这幅画是什么意思？ (Zhè fú huà shì shénme yìsi?) What does this painting mean?

This asks “What does this represent?” and can be used for symbols, gestures, or abstract concepts.

e.g.

这个颜色代表什么？ (Zhège yánsè dàibiǎo shénme?) What does this color represent?

这个手势代表什么？ (Zhège shǒushì dàibiǎo shénme?) What does this gesture represent?

这个标志代表什么？ (Zhège biāozhì dàibiǎo shénme?) What does this sign represent?

This asks “What does this signify?” and is often used for deeper or hidden meanings.

e.g.

这首诗有什么含义？ (Zhè shǒu shī yǒu shénme hányì?) What does this poem signify?

这个梦有什么含义？ (Zhège mèng yǒu shénme hányì?) What does this dream signify?

这段话有什么含义？ (Zhè duàn huà yǒu shénme hányì?) What does this passage signify?

This is used to ask someone directly what they mean by their words, often seeking clarification.

e.g.

你说我做得不好，你这话是什么意思？ (Nǐ shuō wǒ zuò de bù hǎo, nǐ zhè huà shì shénme yìsi?) You said I didn’t do well, what do you mean by that?

你说的“考虑一下”，你这话是什么意思？ (Nǐ shuō de “kǎolǜ yīxià”, nǐ zhè huà shì shénme yìsi?) When you say “think about it,” what do you mean?

你提到的这个项目，你这话是什么意思？ (Nǐ tídào de zhège xiàngmù, nǐ zhè huà shì shénme yìsi?) When you mentioned this project, what did you mean?

This is a more concise way to ask “What does this sentence mean?” often used in conversation.

e.g.

刚刚那句话什么意思？ (Gānggāng nà jù huà shénme yìsi?) What did that sentence just now mean?

你的短信什么意思？ (Nǐ de duǎnxìn shénme yìsi?) What does your text message mean?

他的话什么意思？ (Tā de huà shénme yìsi?) What does his statement mean?