where; any place; used in rhetorical questions
Meanings
5 senses · 11 examplesinterrogative pronoun
where; at/in/to what place
The most common interrogative usage of 'where'.
Where are you going?
Where are my keys?
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Have we met somewhere before?
pronoun
wherever; anywhere
Used to indicate 'no matter where' or 'any place'.
Wherever you are, you must obey the law.
He goes wherever the little dog follows.
pronoun
somewhere; some place
Used when the specific place is unknown or unimportant.
I think I've seen this actor in some movie somewhere.
He must have left his book somewhere.
pronoun
used in rhetorical questions to imply negation; how could...
Often translates to 'how could...?' or 'it's not that...'. Can also express unexpected outcomes ('little did one know').
How could I have known he would suddenly change his mind?
It's not that he's unwilling to help; it's that he can't do anything about it himself.
interjection
oh, it's nothing; don't mention it
humbleA polite formula used to modestly decline a compliment. Often repeated.
"Your Chinese is so fluent!" "Oh, it's nothing, I still have a lot to learn."
"We owe it all to you this time." "Don't mention it, it's what I should do."