语法 · HSK 1–2
怎么 (zěnme) vs 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng): "how" vs "how about"
怎么 goes BEFORE a verb to ask "how / in what way" or "why": 这个字怎么写？ "How do you write this character?", 你怎么没来？ "How come you didn't come?" 怎么样 goes at the END of a sentence (like an adjective) to ask how something is or to make a suggestion: 今天天气怎么样？ "How is the weather today?"
句型Patterns
Subject + 怎么 + Verb？By what method: 你怎么去上班？Subject + 怎么 + 不 / 没 + Verb？Why / how come: 你怎么不吃？Topic / Subject + 怎么样？How is it? / What do you think?
例句Examples
- 请问，去地铁站怎么走？qǐng wèn, qù dì tiě zhàn zěn me zǒu?Excuse me, how do I get to the metro station?
- 你今天怎么这么高兴？nǐ jīn tiān zěn me zhè me gāo xìng?How come you are so happy today?
- 你最近身体怎么样？nǐ zuì jìn shēn tǐ zěn me yàng?How has your health been lately?
- 我们周末去看电影，怎么样？wǒ men zhōu mò qù kàn diàn yǐng, zěn me yàng?How about we go see a film this weekend?
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗今天天气怎么？
✓今天天气怎么样？
At the end of a sentence asking "how is X?", use 怎么样.
-
✗这个菜怎么样做？
✓这个菜怎么做？
Before a verb asking "how to do X", use 怎么.
重点词语Words in this guide
Common questions
What is the difference between 为什么 and 怎么 for "why"?
为什么 asks a neutral question; 怎么 + 不/没 expresses surprise ("how come you didn't…?").