How to do something with "zenme"

A primer on how to use 怎么.

Structure

The question word 怎么 is used to ask how in Chinese. It is inserted in front of the verb that's being asked about:

Subject + 怎么 + Verb + Object

Note that the subject can often be omitted from general "how to" questions.

examples

• 怎么 去？How do you get there?
• 中文 怎么 说 "apple"？How do you say "apple" in Chinese?
• 怎么 用 筷子 吃饭？How do you use chopstick to eat?
• 怎么 做饭？How do you cook?

Topic first

Starting a "how to" question with the topic is very common. That is, the thing being asked about is introduced first, then a question is asked about how to do something involving it:

Topic + 怎么 + Verb

examples

• 超市 怎么 走？How do you get to the supermarket?
• 芒果 怎么 吃？How do you eat mangoes?
• iPad 怎么 用？How do you use an iPad?
• 太极拳 怎么 打？How do you do Tai-chi?

See also

• Placement of question words
• Asking questions

Sources and further reading

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 191) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?
• 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (pp. 651-2) →buy

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