怎么
zěn me
How · trad. 怎麼
怎么 (zěnme) is a very common question word in Mandarin Chinese, primarily used to ask “how” or “in what way.” It's versatile and can inquire about methods, means, or even reasons for something.
When to use it
Neutral and widely applicable in most everyday conversations. For a more formal or literary 'how,' you might encounter 如何 (rúhé). When asking 'how is something?' or 'what about it?', 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) is frequently used.
How to pronounce it
Sounds roughly like 'ZUN-muh.' The first syllable has a rising tone, and the second is a light, neutral tone.
Other ways to say it
- 如何rú héhow (formal / literary)
- 怎么样zěn me yànghow is it? / what about it?
- 怎么回事zěn me huí shìwhat happened? / what's going on?
Examples
你怎么去学校？
nǐ zěn me qù xué xiào ？
How do you go to school?
这个字怎么写？
zhè ge zì zěn me xiě ？
How do you write this character?
你今天感觉怎么样？
nǐ jīn tiān gǎn jué zěn me yàng ？
How are you feeling today?
Pro tip: While 怎么 (zěnme) usually asks 'how to do something' or 'how did something happen,' 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) is more often used to ask 'how is something (in quality or condition)?' or 'what do you think about something?'
Related phrases
和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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