Chinese word

怎么样

Pronunciation

Pinyinzěn me yàng

Meaning

  • pronounwhat do you think of

Example

这件衣服怎么样？zhè jiàn yī fú zěn me yàng

What do you think of this piece of clothing?

Illustration for 怎么样 (what do you think of)

More examples

你最近怎么样？nǐ zuì jìn zěn me yàng

How are you doing lately?

Core concept

An open question that asks how something seems to a person, from first impression to overall judgment.

Common phrases

  • 这件衣服怎么样zhè jiàn yī fú zěn me yàng

    what do you think of this piece of clothing

  • 这道菜怎么样zhè dào cài zěn me yàng

    what do you think of this dish

  • 你怎么样nǐ zěn me yàng

    How are you doing

Similar words

怎么zěn me: Asks about the way to do something or the method involved.
什么样shén me yàng: Asks about the specific kind, appearance, or qualities of something.
怎样zěn yàng: Asks what a situation is like or what condition it is in.

Definition in Chinese

用于询问对方的看法、感受或总体评价，也可作为泛指的口语疑问句来征求意见。yòng yú xún wèn duì fāng de kàn fǎ gǎn shòu huò zóng tǐ píng jià yě kě zuò wéi fàn zhǐ de kóu yǔ yí wèn jù lái zhēng qiú yì jiàn

Word origin

怎么 (zěnme, "how") + 样 (yàng, "form or appearance") frames a question about the way something is, which naturally extends to asking for a reaction or evaluation.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this question can stand alone after a suggestion or choice, while English usually needs a fuller question with a stated subject.

Word lists with this word