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

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{{Grammar Box}}
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{{Grammar Box}}  
  
Aside from [[How to do something|just meaning "how,"]] 怎么 (zěnme) can also be used to ask "why" or "how come."
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Aside from [[How to do something with "zenme"|just meaning "how,"]] 怎么 (zěnme) can also be used to ask "why" or "how come."
  
 
== Basic Usage ==
 
== Basic Usage ==
  
=== Structure with Verb===
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=== With a Verb ===
  
Similar to the question word [[为什么]], questions can also be asked with 怎么.  
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==== Structure ====
 +
 
 +
Similar to the question word [[为什么]] (wèishénme), questions can also be asked with 怎么 (zěnme).  
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Subject + 怎么 + Verb + Object ?
+
Subj. + 怎么 + Verb + Obj. ?
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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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">
  
* <em>怎么</em> 不 说 “谢谢”?<span class="trans">Why don't you say "thanks"?</span>
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* <em>怎么</em> 还 没 来 ?<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>zěnme</em> hái méi lái? </span><span class="trans">How come he's not here yet?</span>
* <em>怎么</em> 不 说话?<span class="trans">Why don't you speak?</span>
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* 你们 <em>怎么</em> 打 人?<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>zěnme</em> dǎ rén? </span><span class="trans">How can you hit people? </span>
* 你 女 朋友 <em>怎么</em> 没 来?<span class="trans">Why haven't you girlfriend arrived?</span>
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* 他 帮 了 你,你 <em>怎么</em> 不 说 “谢谢” ?<span class="pinyin">Tā bāng le nǐ, nǐ <em>zěnme</em> bù shuō "xièxie"? </span><span class="trans">He helped you. How come you didn't say thank you? </span>
* 你 <em>怎么</em> 没 给 我 打 电话?<span class="trans">Why haven't you given me a call?</span>
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* 你 结婚 的时候 <em>怎么</em> 不 告诉 我?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ jiéhūn de shíhou <em>zěnme</em> bù gàosu wǒ? </span><span class="trans">How come you didn't tell me when you got married? </span>
* 你 <em>怎么</em> 生气 了?<span class="trans">Why are you angry?</span>
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* 我们 还 没 开始 吃,他 <em>怎么</em> 已经 吃完 了?<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen hái méi kāishǐ chī, tā <em>zěnme</em> yǐjīng chī wán le? </span><span class="trans">We haven't started eating yet. How come he has already finished eating? </span>
* 你 <em>怎么</em> 不 喝酒?<span class="trans">Why don't you drink alcohol?</span>
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* 今天 是 星期一,你 <em>怎么</em> 不 去 上班?<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān shì Xīngqīyī, nǐ <em>zěnme</em> bù qù shàngbān? </span><span class="trans">Today is Monday. Why aren't you going to work? </span>
* 你 昨天 <em>怎么</em> 没 回家?<span class="trans">Why didn't you come home yesterday?</span>
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* 今天 <em>怎么</em> 不 去 上班?<span class="trans">Why didn't you go to work today?</span>
 
* 你 <em>怎么</em> 没 写 作业?<span class="trans">Why haven't you done your homework?</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Structure with Adjective ===
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=== With an Adjective ===
 +
 
 +
==== Structure ====
  
In this case , you need some negative words after 怎么.
+
In this case, it's most common to negate the adjective after 怎么 (zěnme).
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Subject + 怎么 + Negative Adjective Words
+
Subj. + 怎么 (+ 不) + Adj.
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Examples ===
+
==== Examples ====
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 老师 <em>怎么</em> 不 高兴?<span class="trans">Why isn't the teacher happy?</span>
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* <em>怎么</em> 不 热?<span class="pinyin">Shuǐ <em>zěnme</em> bù rè? </span><span class="trans">Why is the water not hot? </span>
* 每 天 工作 十 二 个 小时,你 <em>怎么</em> 不 累?<span class="trans">Everyday you work 12 hours, why are you not tired?</span>
+
* 这里 的 川菜 <em>怎么</em> 不 辣?<span class="pinyin">Zhèlǐ de chuāncài <em>zěnme</em> bù là? </span><span class="trans">Why is the Sichuan food here not spicy? </span>
* 妈妈 病 了,你 <em>怎么</em> 不 难过?<span class="trans">Mom is sick, why are you not sad?</span>
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* 他 亲 了 你,你 <em>怎么</em> 不 高兴 ?<span class="pinyin">Tā qīn le nǐ, nǐ <em>zěnme</em> bù gāoxìng? </span><span class="trans">He kissed you. How come you're not happy? </span>
* 这 个 苹果 <em>怎么</em> 不 甜?<span class="trans">Why isn't this apple sweet?</span>
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* 她 的 小猫 死 了,她 <em>怎么</em> 不 难过?<span class="pinyin">Tā de xiǎomāo sǐ le, tā <em>zěnme</em> bù nánguò? </span><span class="trans">Her kitten died. Why isn't she sad? </span>
* 你 买 的 肉 <em>怎么</em> 不 香?<span class="trans">Why is the meat you bought not appetizing?</span>
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* 每 天 工作 十二 个 小时 ,你 <em>怎么</em> 不 累?<span class="pinyin">Měi tiān gōngzuò shí'èr gè xiǎoshí, nǐ <em>zěnme</em> bù lèi?</span><span class="trans">Every day you work 12 hours. Why are you not tired? </span>
* 这 个 孩子 <em>怎么</em> 不 害羞?<span class="trans">Why is this child not shy?</span>
 
* <em>怎么</em> 不 热?<span class="trans">Why is the water not hot?</span>
 
* 这里 的 川菜 <em>怎么</em> 不 辣?<span class="trans">Why is the Sichuan food here not spicy?</span>
 
* 今天 <em>怎么</em> 不冷?<span class="trans">Why isn't it cold today?</span>
 
* 以前 的 小孩 <em>怎么</em> 都 不 高?<span class="trans">Why wasn't the kids tall before?</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== "Why so..." Usage ==
+
== "Why So..." Usage ==
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== 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"]].)
+
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"|adjectives with "name" and "zheme."]])
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Subject + 怎么 + 这么/那么 + Adj
+
Subj. + 怎么 + 这么 / 那么 + Adj.
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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 (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 ===
 
=== Examples ===
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 这 个 苹果 <em>怎么</em> 这么 甜?<span class="trans">How sweet is this apple?</span>
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* <em>怎么</em> 那么 懒?<span class="pinyin"><em>zěnme</em> nàme lǎn? </span><span class="trans">How can he be this lazy? </span>
* 你 买 的 肉 <em>怎么</em> 这么 香?<span class="trans">How is this meat you bought not appetizing?</span>
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* 昨天 <em>怎么</em> 那么 冷?<span class="pinyin">Zuótiān <em>zěnme</em> nàme lěng? </span><span class="trans">How could it be so cold yesterday? </span>
* 水 <em>怎么</em> 这么 热?<span class="trans">How is this water not hot?</span>
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* 这些人 <em>怎么</em> 这么 吵?<span class="pinyin">Zhèxiē rén <em>zěnme</em> zhème chǎo? </span><span class="trans">How can these people so loud? </span>
* 川菜 <em>怎么</em> 那么 辣?<span class="trans">How is that Sichuan food not spicy?</span>
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* 北京 的 空气 <em>怎么</em> 那么 差?<span class="pinyin">Běijīng de kōngqì <em>zěnme</em> nàme  chà? </span><span class="trans">How can the air in Beijing be so bad? </span>
* 昨天 <em>怎么</em> 那么 冷?<span class="trans">How cold was it yesterday?</span>
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* 你的 汉语 <em>怎么</em> 这么 好?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de Hànyǔ <em>zěnme</em> zhème hǎo? </span><span class="trans">How is your Mandarin so good? </span>
* 以前 的 小孩 <em>怎么</em> 都 那么 矮?<span class="trans">How were the kids before not that low?</span>
 
* 这 个 孩子 <em>怎么</em> 这么 害羞?<span class="trans">How is that little kid this shy?</span>
 
* <em>怎么</em> 觉得 这么 累?<span class="trans">Why do I feel this tired?</span>
 
* 你 <em>怎么</em> 这么 难过?<span class="trans">Why are you feeling this bad?</span>
 
* 他 <em>怎么</em> 那么 高 ?<span class="trans">How can you be so tall?</span>
 
* 你的 汉语 <em>怎么</em> 那么 好?<span class="trans">How is your Chinese so good?</span>
 
* 他 <em>怎么</em> 那么 懒 ?<span class="trans">How can he be this lazy?</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 191) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
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* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|191}}
 
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{{Source|HSK Standard Course 2|44}}
 +
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 5上|6}}
 
[[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}}
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{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
 +
{{Basic Grammar|怎么|A2|怎么⋯⋯?|你 <em>怎么</em> 没 来?|grammar point|ASGD7NS3}}
 
{{Rel char|这么}}
 
{{Rel char|这么}}
 
{{Rel char|那么}}
 
{{Rel char|那么}}
 +
{{Similar|How to do something with "zenme"}}
 
{{Similar|Placement of question words}}
 
{{Similar|Placement of question words}}
 
{{Similar|"Not often" with "bu zenme"}}
 
{{Similar|"Not often" with "bu zenme"}}

Latest revision as of 08:53, 21 April 2021

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

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

  • 怎么 还 没 来 ?zěnme hái méi lái? How come he's not here yet?
  • 你们 怎么 打 人?Nǐmen zěnme dǎ rén? How can you hit people?
  • 他 帮 了 你,你 怎么 不 说 “谢谢” ?Tā bāng le nǐ, nǐ zěnme bù shuō "xièxie"? He helped you. How come you didn't say thank you?
  • 你 结婚 的时候 怎么 不 告诉 我?Nǐ jiéhūn de shíhou zěnme bù gàosu wǒ? 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?Wǒmen hái méi kāishǐ chī, tā zěnme yǐjīng chī wán le? 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?Jīntiān shì Xīngqīyī, nǐ zěnme bù qù shàngbān? 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

  • 怎么 不 热?Shuǐ zěnme bù rè? Why is the water not hot?
  • 这里 的 川菜 怎么 不 辣?Zhèlǐ de chuāncài zěnme bù là? Why is the Sichuan food here not spicy?
  • 他 亲 了 你,你 怎么 不 高兴 ?Tā qīn le nǐ, nǐ zěnme bù gāoxìng? He kissed you. How come you're not happy?
  • 她 的 小猫 死 了,她 怎么 不 难过?Tā de xiǎomāo sǐ le, tā zěnme bù nánguò? Her kitten died. Why isn't she sad?
  • 每 天 工作 十二 个 小时 ,你 怎么 不 累?Měi tiān gōngzuò shí'èr gè xiǎoshí, nǐ zěnme bù lèi?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

  • 怎么 那么 懒?zěnme nàme lǎn? How can he be this lazy?
  • 昨天 怎么 那么 冷?Zuótiān zěnme nàme lěng? How could it be so cold yesterday?
  • 这些人 怎么 这么 吵?Zhèxiē rén zěnme zhème chǎo? How can these people so loud?
  • 北京 的 空气 怎么 那么 差?Běijīng de kōngqì zěnme nàme chà? How can the air in Beijing be so bad?
  • 你的 汉语 怎么 这么 好?Nǐ de Hànyǔ zěnme zhème hǎo? How is your Mandarin so good?

See also

Sources and further reading

Books