how; why; in some way
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
4 senses · 11 examplesinterrogative pronoun
how; why; what's the matter
Used to ask about the method, reason, or nature of something.
Zhè这
shì是
zěn怎
me么
huí回
shì事
？
What's going on?
Zhè这
gè个
wèn问
tí题
gāi该
zěn怎
me么
jiě解
jué决
？
How should this problem be solved?
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Tā他
zěn怎
me么
hái还
bù不
huí回
lái来
？
Why isn't he back yet?
Nǐ你
zěn怎
me么
qù去
xué学
xiào校
？
How do you get to school?
pronoun
in whatever way; however
Used to indicate that the manner is unspecified or up to the subject.
Nǐ你
yuàn愿
yì意
zěn怎
me么
bàn办
jiù就
zěn怎
me么
bàn办
。
Do it however you like.
Dōng东
xi西
zěn怎
me么
fàng放
dōu都
xíng行
。
You can put the things however you want.
pronoun
in some way; somehow
Used to refer to an unspecified or unknown manner, often in narrative.
Bù不
zhī知
dào道
zěn怎
me么
yī一
lái来
jiù就
huá滑
dǎo倒
le了
。
Somehow, I slipped and fell.
Tā他
hǎo好
xiàng像
zěn怎
me么
dōu都
bù不
gāo高
xìng兴
。
He seems unhappy for some reason.
adverb
not very; not particularly; to some extent (often in negative)
Used with negatives to express a low degree or limited extent.
Zhè这
chū出
xì戏
tā他
gāng刚
xué学
，
hái还
bù不
zěn怎
me么
huì会
chàng唱
。
He just started learning this opera, so he can't sing it very well yet.
Tā他
bù不
zěn怎
me么
xǐ喜
huān欢
chī吃
là辣
。
He doesn't particularly like spicy food.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Jīn今
tiān天
bù不
zěn怎
me么
rè热
。
It's not very hot today.