怎么 vs 怎么样: what is the difference?
怎么 asks how an action is done and sits before the verb: 这个字怎么读？ 怎么样 asks for an opinion or state and comes last: 这个字写得怎么样？
| Word | Pinyin | What it does | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 怎么 | zěn me | Asks how an action is done, and sits before the verb. | 怎么 + Verb |
| 怎么样 | zěn me yàng | Asks for an opinion or how things are. | Topic + 怎么样 |
怎么 (zěn me)
Asks how an action is done, and sits before the verb.
Structure: 怎么 + Verb
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 这个词用英语怎么说？ | Zhè ge cí yòng yīng yǔ zěn me shuō? | How do you say this word in English? |
| 去医院怎么走？ | Qù yī yuàn zěn me zǒu? | How do I get to the hospital? |
| 汉字怎么写？ | Hàn zì zěn me xiě? | How do you write Chinese characters? |
Not: 你的新工作怎么？ To ask for an opinion, put 怎么样 last: 你的新工作怎么样？
怎么样 (zěn me yàng)
Asks for an opinion or how things are.
Structure: Topic + 怎么样
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 你今天的考试怎么样？ | Nǐ jīn tiān de kǎo shì zěn me yàng? | How was your exam today? |
| 这本书怎么样？ | Zhè běn shū zěn me yàng? | How is this book? |
| 明天我们去爬山，怎么样？ | Míng tiān wǒ men qù pá shān, zěn me yàng? | We are going hiking tomorrow, how about it? |
Not: 你身体怎么样吗？ 怎么样 is already a question, so 吗 is not added.
Where this comes from
The comparison is part of Interrogative Pronouns: 多久、为什么、怎么样 (HSK 2) in the grammar reference, which has the full explanation, more worked examples, and what to learn before and after it.
More pairs: 次 vs 遍 · 刚 vs 刚才 · 更 vs 还 · 还 vs 已经 · 看见 vs 看到 · 可以 vs 能 · 吗 vs 吧 · 吗 vs 是不是 · 如果 vs 只要 · 上去 vs 上来 · 往 vs 向 · 有点儿 vs 一点儿 · all 81 pairs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 怎么 and 怎么样?
怎么 asks how an action is done and sits before the verb: 这个字怎么读？ 怎么样 asks for an opinion or state and comes last: 这个字写得怎么样？
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