how; what; to what extent (euphemistic in negative)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplespronoun
how; what; in what way
Used to ask about manner, method, or state.
Zhè这
ge个
dōng东
xī西
zěn怎
me样
yàng使
shǐ用
？
How do you use this thing?
Míng明
tiān天
de的
tiān天
qì气
huì会
zěn怎
me样
？
What will tomorrow's weather be like?
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Tā他
bù不
zhī知
dào道
zěn怎
me样
yàng回
huí答
。
He didn't know how to answer.
pronoun
used to replace an unstated action or situation in a negative or euphemistic sense; not that great
informalOften implies something is not good or not acceptable, but said in a softer way. Typically used in the structure '也/不 + 怎样'.
Tā他
huà画
dé得
yě也
bìng并
bù不
zěn怎
me样
。
He doesn't paint that well either.
Nà那
shì是
tā他
yī一
shí时
de的
hú糊
tu涂
，
yě也
bù不
hǎo好
zěn怎
me样
yàng他
。
That was his momentary folly, so one can't really blame/punish him too harshly.
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Zhè这
bù部
diàn电
yǐng影
pāi拍
dé得
bù不
zěn怎
me样
。
This movie wasn't made very well.
Tā他
de的
chú厨
yì艺
qí其
shí实
yě也
bù不
zěn怎
me样
。
His cooking skills aren't actually that great.