什么劲

what ... for?; why are you ...?

→ 什么

phrase Rare #31,279

what ... for?; why are you ...? A colloquial rhetorical expression used to question or criticize why someone is doing something, often with impatience or bewilderment. It commonly follows a verb, sometimes with 个 before it.

CH: 你颤抖个什么劲呢？

EN: Why are you trembling?

你颤抖个什么劲呢?

What are you shaking for?

— 瓦塞浦黑帮(上) (2012)

使什么劲？

Why are you trying so hard?

— 活着 (1994)

还早着呢，现在使什么劲？

There's still plenty of time, so why are you working so hard now?

— 活着 (1994)