Asking why with "zenme"

Revision as of 09:45, 6 November 2013 by Mixue (talk | contribs) (→‎Examples)

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

Basic Usage

Structure with Verb

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 不 说 “谢谢”?Why don't you say "thanks"?
  • 怎么 不 说话?Why don't you speak=
  • 你 女 朋友 怎么 没 来?Why haven't you girlfriend arrived?
  • 怎么 没 给 我 打 电话?Why haven't you given me a call?
  • 怎么 生气 了?Why are you angry?
  • 怎么 不 喝酒?Why don't you drink alcohol?
  • 你 昨天 怎么 没 回家?Why didn't you come home yesterday?
  • 你 今天 怎么 不 去 上班?How come he didn't go to work today?
  • 怎么 没 写 作业?How come you didn't do your homework?

Structure with Adjective

In this case , you need some negative words after 怎么.

Subject + 怎么 + Negative Adjective Words

Examples

  • 老师 怎么 不 高兴?
  • 每 天 工作 十 二 个 小时,你 怎么 不 累?
  • 妈妈 病 了,你 怎么 不 难过?
  • 这 个 苹果 怎么 不 甜?
  • 你 买 的 肉 怎么 不 香?
  • 这 个 孩子 怎么 不 害羞?
  • 怎么 不 热?
  • 这里 的 川菜 怎么 不 辣?
  • 今天 怎么 不冷?
  • 以前 的 小孩 怎么 都 不 高?

"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

  • 这 个 苹果 怎么 这么 甜?
  • 你 买 的 肉 怎么 这么 香?
  • 怎么 这么 热?
  • 川菜 怎么 那么 辣?
  • 昨天 怎么 那么 冷?
  • 以前 的 小孩 怎么 都 那么 矮?
  • 这 个 孩子 怎么 这么 害羞?
  • 怎么 觉得 这么 累?
  • 怎么 这么 难过?
  • 怎么 那么 高 ?How can you be so tall?
  • 你的 汉语 怎么 那么 好?How is your Chinese so good?
  • 怎么 那么 懒 ?How can he be this lazy?

See also

Sources and further reading

Books