怎么 (zěnme) — how, why
HSK 1 | adverb/pronoun | interrogative asking about manner or reason
怎么 (zěnme)
An interrogative word used before a verb to ask "how" something is done or "why" something happened; for asking about state or condition (how something is), use 怎么样 instead.
Meanings
- [adverb] How (manner of an action: 怎么 + verb).
- [adverb] Why, how come (expressing surprise at a situation).
Example Sentences
这个字怎么读？ Zhège zì zěnme dú? How do you read this character?
你怎么来这里的？ Nǐ zěnme lái zhèlǐ de? How did you get here?
你怎么不吃饭？ Nǐ zěnme bù chīfàn? Why aren't you eating?
这道题怎么做？ Zhè dào tí zěnme zuò? How do you do this problem?
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 怎么了 (zěnme le) | what happened, what's wrong |
| 怎么说 (zěnme shuō) | how to say |
| 怎么做 (zěnme zuò) | how to do |
| 怎么走 (zěnme zǒu) | which way to go, how to get there |
| 怎么回事 (zěnme huí shì) | what is going on |
| 怎么办 (zěnme bàn) | what to do, what should be done |
Memory Hook
怎么 sounds like "zen-muh." Picture a Zen monk saying "zen-muh... HOW does one find peace?" Asking how to do something with deep, thoughtful inquiry.