HSK 1
Correct
怎么 vs 怎么样
/ zěnme vs zěnmeyàng /
Strokes
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Formula
1
怎么 + Verb + 了
2
怎么 + 这么……
3
不怎么 + Verb
4
不怎么 + Adjective/Verb
5
不 + 怎么样
Definition
怎么 means why, 怎（么）样 means how about, both are Interrogative Pronouns (疑问代词):
When we want to ask about the manner or method, 怎么, is the same as 怎（么）样. However, the former is more often used in oral Chinese. eg:
1. To ask about the manner :
a: 他是怎么去的？ = 他是怎样去的？
b : 他是坐飞机去的。
2. To ask about the method:
"你好"用英语怎么说？ = "你好"用英语怎样说？
Example
Only 怎么 is used - 1
怎么 is equivalent to 为什么.
The following structure is often used: "怎么 + Verb + 了" or "怎么 + 这么……".
The sentences with 怎么 indicate the speaker feels strange or thinks it should not have been like this.
eg, in 她怎么走了？ the speaker thinks she should not have left and felt strange.
In contrast, 她为什么走了。 is simply a question.
The following structure is often used: "怎么 + Verb + 了" or "怎么 + 这么……".
The sentences with 怎么 indicate the speaker feels strange or thinks it should not have been like this.
eg, in 她怎么走了？ the speaker thinks she should not have left and felt strange.
In contrast, 她为什么走了。 is simply a question.
怎么 + Verb + 了
怎么 + 这么……
1
Tā
她
zěnme
怎么
zǒu
走
le
了
?
Why she left?
2
Jīntiān
今天
zěnme
怎么
zhème
这么
rè
热
?
Why it is so hot today?
Only 怎么 is used - 2
They are used in interrogative sentences to ask about the situation(s) or reason(s), especially when something is wrong.
3
A
A
:
tā
他
zěnme
怎么
le
了
?
B
B
:
tā
他
tóuténg
头疼
。
A: What's wrong with him? B: He has a headache.
4
A
A
:
jīntiān
今天
diànnǎo
电脑
zěnme
怎么
dá
打
bù
不
kāi
开
?
B
B
:
kěnéng
可能
huài
坏
le
了
。
A: Why the computer couldn't open today ? B: Maybe it crashed.
Only 怎么 is used - 3
1. "不怎么 + Verb"means "seldom or rarely",
2. "不怎么 + Adjective/Verb" indicating a mental activity (such as 想, 喜欢, 讨厌 or 愿意, etc. )" means "not so...... or not very...... ".
2. "不怎么 + Adjective/Verb" indicating a mental activity (such as 想, 喜欢, 讨厌 or 愿意, etc. )" means "not so...... or not very...... ".
不怎么 + Verb
不怎么 + Adjective/Verb
5
Tā
他
bùzěnme
不怎么
qù
去
。
He seldom goes there.
6
Jīntiān
今天
bùzěnme
不怎么
rè
热
。
It's not very hot today.
Only 怎（么）样 can be used - 1
To ask for an opinion.
7
Wǎnshang
晚上
yīqǐ
一起
chīfàn
吃饭
,
zěnmeyàng
怎么样
?
Shall we go to have dinner?
8
Wǒmen
我们
míngtiān
明天
qù
去
chángchéng
长城
,
zěnmeyàng
怎么样
?
What about going to Great Wall tomorrow?
Only 怎（么）样 can be used - 2
To ask about the situation.
9
Nǐ
你
de
的
lǎobǎn
老板
zěnmeyàng
怎么样
?
What's your boss like?
10
Nǐmen
你们
xuéxiào
学校
de
的
huánjìng
环境
zěnmeyàng
怎么样
?
How is your school environment?
Only 怎（么）样 can be used - 3
"不怎么样" is equivalent to "不太好", meaning "not so good" .
不 + 怎么样
11
Zhège
这个
gōngsī
公司
bùzěnmeyàng
不怎么样
。
This company is not so good.
12
Tā
他
zhège
这个
rén
人
bùzěnmeyàng
不怎么样
。
He is not so good.
Exercise
Fill in the blanks with 怎么 or 怎么样:
1. 你的眼睛（ ）了？ （ ）这么红呢？
2. 你的眼睛（ ）了？ 好多了吗？
3. 她的性格（ ）？
4. 她的性格（ ）这么奇怪？
5. 这里的天气（ ）了？ 都十二月了，（ ）还这么热啊？
6. 她不（ ）努力，但是成绩很好。我很努力，但是成绩不（ ）好。
7. A：这里的天气（ ）？ B：这里的天气不（ ），常常刮大风。
8. A：她的外语（ ）？ B：她的外语很不（ ）。