Difference between revisions of "Asking why with "zenme""
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Revision as of 07:16, 24 October 2017
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Used for
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Keywords
Aside from just meaning "how," 怎么 (zěnme) can also be used to ask "why" or "how come."
Contents
Basic Usage
With a Verb
Structure
Similar to the question word 为什么 (wèishénme), questions can also be asked with 怎么 (zěnme).
Subj. + 怎么 + Verb + Obj. ?
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
- 他 怎么 还 没 来 ？How come he's not here yet?
- 你们 怎么 打 人？How can you hit people?
- 他 帮 了 你，你 怎么 不 说 “谢谢” ？He helped you. How come you didn't say thank you?
- 你 结婚 的时候 怎么 不 告诉 我？How come you didn't tell me when you got married?
- 我们 还 没 开始 吃，他 怎么 已经 吃完 了？We haven't started eating yet. How come he has already finished eating?
- 今天 是 星期一，你 怎么 不 去 上班？Today is Monday. Why aren't you going to work?
With an Adjective
Structure
In this case, it's most common to negate the adjective after 怎么 (zěnme).
Subj. + 怎么 (+ 不) + Adj.
Examples
- 水 怎么 不 热？Why is the water not hot?
- 这里 的 川菜 怎么 不 辣？Why is the Sichuan food here not spicy?
- 他 亲 了 你，你 怎么 不 高兴 ？He kissed you. How come you're not happy?
- 她 的 小猫 死 了，她 怎么 不 难过？Her kitten died. Why isn't she sad?
- 每 天 工作 十二 个 小时 ，你 怎么 不 累？Every day you work 12 hours. Why are you not tired?
"Why So..." Usage
Structure
One pattern this use of 怎么 (zěnme) frequently appears in is with 这么 (zhème) or 那么 (nàme). (For more on 这么 (zhème) and 那么 (nàme), see adjectives with "name" and "zheme.")
Subj. + 怎么 + 这么 / 那么 + Adj.
This use of 怎么 (zěnme) 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
- 他 怎么 那么 懒？How can he be this lazy?
- 昨天 怎么 那么 冷？How could it be so cold yesterday?
- 这些人 怎么 这么 吵？How can these people so loud?
- 北京 的 空气 怎么 那么 差？How can the air in Beijing be so bad?
- 你的 汉语 怎么 这么 好？How is your Mandarin so good?
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|191}}
