Grammar Point:
In Chinese, the phrase “And so on” can be expressed in different ways depending on the context. Two common expressions used to convey a similar meaning are 什么的 shénme de and 等 děng.
Structure
Example 1, Example 2, Example 3 + 什么的
This expression is more colloquial and casual.
我喜歡看電影、聽音樂、玩遊戲什麼的我喜欢看电影、听音乐、玩游戏什么的
I like watching movies, listening to music, playing games, and so on.
冰箱裡有牛奶、西瓜、雞蛋什麼的冰箱里有牛奶、西瓜、鸡蛋什么的
In the refrigerator, there are milk, watermelon, eggs, and so on.
我的狗會很多指令,握手、坐下、趴下、站起來什麼的她都會我的狗会很多指令,握手、坐下、趴下、站起来什么的她都会
My dog knows many tricks, like paw, sit down, lie down, stand up, and so on.
幫我拿瓶酒過來,威士忌、伏特加什麼的都可以帮我拿瓶酒过来,威士忌、伏特加什么的都可以
Please bring me a bottle of alcohol, like whiskey, vodka, and so on are all fine.
養孩子很花錢,要買很多東西、要補習什麼的养孩子很花钱,要买很多东西、要补习什么的
Raising children is expensive. You have to buy many things, arrange for tutoring, and so on.
Example 1, Example 2, Example 3 + 等
The character 等 děng can be used to indicate “etc.” or “and so on” when listing items. This expression is more formal and literary. You can also repeat 等 děng twice to make it less formal.
他喜歡吃水果,比如蘋果、橘子、香蕉等等他喜欢吃水果,比如苹果、橙子、香蕉等等
He likes to eat fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, and so on.
歐洲包含了許多國家,像是德國、西班牙、義大利等欧洲包含了许多国家,像是德国、西班牙、义大利等
Europe includes many countries, like Germany, Spain, Italy, and so on.
101、故宮、士林夜市等都是台灣有名的觀光景點101、故宫、士林夜市等都是台湾有名的观光景点
Taiwan has famous tourist attractions like the 101 Building, the National Palace Museum, Shilin Night Market, and so on.
新冠肺炎的症狀有喉嚨痛、發燒、咳嗽等等新冠肺炎的症状有喉咙痛、发烧、咳嗽等等
The symptoms of COVID-19 include sore throat, fever, cough, and so on.
等 děng can also be added to the end of a list, followed by a noun that represents the list. In this case, only 等 děng is used, not 等等 děngděng.
如果你來台灣,炸雞排、麻辣火鍋、芒果冰等食物你一定要試試如果你来台湾,炸鸡排、麻辣火锅、芒果冰等食物你一定要试试
If you come to Taiwan, you must try foods like fried chicken fillet, spicy hot pot, mango ice, and so on.
芒果、西瓜、鳳梨等熱帶水果在台灣都非常便宜芒果、西瓜、凤梨等热带水果在台湾都非常便宜
Tropical fruits like mango, watermelon, pineapple, and so on are very cheap in Taiwan.
電話費、水電費、瓦斯費等帳單都是我太太在處理电话费、水电费、瓦斯费等帐单都是我妻子在处理
My wife takes care of bills such as phone bills, utility bills, gas bills, and so on.