Chinese phrase
怎么回事？ zěn me huí shì
Meaning
What's going on?
When to use it
Asks what is happening or what caused a situation. It is common in everyday speech and can sound curious, concerned, or mildly surprised.
Example dialogue
外面好吵，怎么回事？ wài miàn hǎo chǎo zěn me huí shì
It's so noisy outside. What's going on?
可能是楼下在装修。 kě néng shì lóu xià zài zhuāng xiū
There might be construction downstairs.