Difference between revisions of "Asking why with "zenme""

Line 3: Line 3:
 
怎么 (zěnme), aside from just meaning "how," can also be used to ask "why" or "how come."
 
怎么 (zěnme), aside from just meaning "how," can also be used to ask "why" or "how come."
  
== Basic Structure ==
+
== Basic Usage ==
 +
 
 +
=== Structure ===
  
 
Similar to the question word [[为什么]], questions can also be asked with 怎么.  
 
Similar to the question word [[为什么]], questions can also be asked with 怎么.  
Line 15: Line 17:
 
This has similar connotations to saying "how come" in English. It not only asks why, but expresses some surprise at the situation, and in some cases even disagreement with it.
 
This has similar connotations to saying "how come" in English. It not only asks why, but expresses some surprise at the situation, and in some cases even disagreement with it.
  
== Examples ==
+
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
Line 25: Line 27:
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== "Why so..." Structure ==
+
== "Why so..." Usage ==
  
One pattern this use of 怎么 frequently appears in is with 这么 or 那么.  (Choice of 这么 or 那么 can be somewhat arbitrary, although in theory 这么 should be used when the subject being commented upon is closer to the speaker, and 那么 when it's far away.)
+
=== Structure ===
  
 +
One pattern this use of 怎么 frequently appears in is with 这么 or 那么.  (For more on 这么 and 那么, see [[adjectives with "name" and "zheme"]].)
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Line 38: Line 41:
 
This use of 怎么 could be translated as either "how" or "why"; the actual meaning sort of falls in the fuzzy region between the two.  In any case, it's used to express disbelief: ''how can (something) be so (adjective)?!''
 
This use of 怎么 could be translated as either "how" or "why"; the actual meaning sort of falls in the fuzzy region between the two.  In any case, it's used to express disbelief: ''how can (something) be so (adjective)?!''
  
 
+
=== Examples ===
== "Why so..." Examples ==
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
Line 50: Line 52:
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 +
 
*[[Placement of question words]]
 
*[[Placement of question words]]
  
Line 60: Line 63:
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 
{{Basic Grammar|怎么|A2|怎么……?|你 <em>怎么</em> 没 来?|grammar point|ASGD7NS3}}
 
{{Basic Grammar|怎么|A2|怎么……?|你 <em>怎么</em> 没 来?|grammar point|ASGD7NS3}}
 +
{{Rel char|这么}}
 +
{{Rel char|那么}}
 
{{Similar|Placement of question words}}
 
{{Similar|Placement of question words}}
 
{{Similar|"Not often" with "bu zenme"}}
 
{{Similar|"Not often" with "bu zenme"}}
 
{{Used for|Asking questions}}
 
{{Used for|Asking questions}}
 
{{Structure|Question Forms}}
 
{{Structure|Question Forms}}

Revision as of 09:55, 17 June 2013

怎么 (zěnme), aside from just meaning "how," can also be used to ask "why" or "how come."

Basic Usage

Structure

Similar to the question word 为什么, questions can also be asked with 怎么.

Subject + 怎么 + Verb + Object

This has similar connotations to saying "how come" in English. It not only asks why, but expresses some surprise at the situation, and in some cases even disagreement with it.

Examples

  • 怎么 没 来?How come you didn't come?
  • 你的 汉语 怎么 没有 进步 ?How come your Chinese has not improved?
  • 怎么 走 了?How can he leave?

"Why so..." Usage

Structure

One pattern this use of 怎么 frequently appears in is with 这么 or 那么. (For more on 这么 and 那么, see adjectives with "name" and "zheme".)

Subject + 怎么 + 这么/那么 + Adj

This use of 怎么 could be translated as either "how" or "why"; the actual meaning sort of falls in the fuzzy region between the two. In any case, it's used to express disbelief: how can (something) be so (adjective)?!

Examples

  • 怎么 这么 高 ?How can you be so tall?
  • 你的 汉语 怎么 那么 好?How is your Chinese so good?
  • 怎么 这么 懒 ?How can he be this lazy?

See also

Sources and further reading

Books