Difference between revisions of "Expressing "not very" with "bu zenme""

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When you use 不怎么 (bù zěnme) before an adjective, it means "not very." This structure is similar to how English speakers may say something is "not very good".
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When you use 不怎么 (bù zěnme) before an adjective, it means "not very." This structure is similar to how English speakers may say something is "not very good".
  
 
== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
  
Just put 不怎么 in front of the adjective and you're all ready to go!
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When used together with an adjective, 不怎么 becomes similar to [["Not_very"_with_"bu_tai"| 不太]], which means that the degree of the adjective is not very high.
  
 
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Using this grammar structure is a way to indirectly or mildly state something. Instead of saying "他不太聪明" you can say "他不怎么聪明", turning a very direct statement to a milder, more wayward statement.
  
 
== Examples ==
 
== Examples ==

Revision as of 09:25, 12 March 2013

When you use 不怎么 (bù zěnme) before an adjective, it means "not very." This structure is similar to how English speakers may say something is "not very good".

Structure

When used together with an adjective, 不怎么 becomes similar to 不太, which means that the degree of the adjective is not very high.

Object + 不怎么 + adjective

Using this grammar structure is a way to indirectly or mildly state something. Instead of saying "他不太聪明" you can say "他不怎么聪明", turning a very direct statement to a milder, more wayward statement.

Examples

  • 你 这个 人 不怎么 好。
  • 我 觉得 这个 菜 不怎么 好吃。
  • 你的 孩子 不怎么 可爱。
  • 工作 进行 得 不怎么 顺利。

See also


Sources and further reading

Books