怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) - How About

At its core, 怎么样 is an interrogative pronoun. It replaces the adjective or the state of being you are asking about. Unlike English, where "how" often moves to the start of the sentence, Chinese keeps the word order simple. You usually just state the thing you are curious about and tack 怎么样 onto the end. It doesn't change based on tense. It doesn't care if you are talking about one person or a hundred. It just sits there at the end of the sentence, waiting for an answer. It’s like a grammar traffic light—it signals that it’s the other person’s turn to speak and give you some details. It is much more open-ended than a "yes/no" question. If you ask 你好吗？ (Are you well?), people say "yes." If you ask 你最近怎么样？ (How have you been lately?), people actually tell you about their lives.

1. 1Using 怎么样 is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these steps to build your sentences:
2. 2Start with the Subject (the thing or person you are asking about).
3. 3Add 怎么样 at the end.
4. 4Add a question mark (in writing).
5. 5Structure: [Subject/Topic] + 怎么样？
6. 6Example: 你的工作怎么样？ (How is your job?)
7. 7Alternatively, for making suggestions:
8. 8State your idea or action.
9. 9Add a comma.
10. 10Add 怎么样？
11. 11Structure: [Idea/Action] + 怎么样？
12. 12Example: 我们去吃火锅，怎么样？ (How about we go eat hot pot?)

You will find yourself using 怎么样 in almost every social scenario.

• Asking for Opinions: Use it when you want to know what someone thinks of something. For example, after a movie, ask 那部电影怎么样？ (How was that movie?).
• Checking Status: Use it to ask how someone is doing or how a situation is progressing. 你妈妈身体怎么样？ (How is your mother's health?).
• Making Plans: This is the most polite way to suggest something. 明天下午三点，怎么样？ (How about tomorrow at 3 PM?). It gives the other person space to say no without being awkward.
• Shopping: Point at those shoes that are slightly too expensive and ask your friend, 这双鞋怎么样？ (How about these shoes?).
• Job Interviews: You can ask, 公司的文化怎么样？ (How is the company culture?). It shows you are engaged and interested in the environment, not just the salary.

Don't use 怎么样 when you are asking for the *method* of doing something. This is the most common trap for English speakers. If you want to know how to get to the train station, do NOT use 怎么样. You must use 怎么 (zěnme) instead. 怎么样 is about the *quality* or *state*, while 怎么 is about the *process*.

• Use 怎么 for: "How do I write this character?" or "How do I get to your house?"
• Use 怎么样 for: "How is your character writing?" or "How was the trip to my house?"

Also, avoid using it in very formal, written reports where more specific academic language is preferred. But for 99% of daily life? It’s perfect.

Yes, even native speakers might slip up, but you don't have to!

• The Word Order Flip: Many learners try to say 怎么样你的汉语？ because they are thinking in English ("How is your Chinese?"). In Mandarin, the subject must come first: 你的汉语怎么样？.
• Confusing with 怎么: As mentioned before, asking 你怎么去北京？ (How are you going to Beijing?) is very different from 北京怎么样？ (How is Beijing?). One is about the train/plane, the other is about the vibe of the city.
• Double Questioning: Don't use 吗 with 怎么样. 怎么样 is already a question word. Adding 吗 at the end is like wearing two hats at once. It’s unnecessary and looks a bit silly.
• Vague Answers: When someone asks you 怎么样, don't just say 对 (correct). They aren't asking a yes/no question. They want an adjective like 很好 (very good) or 一般 (so-so).

• 怎么样 vs. 觉得 (juéde): 觉得 means "to feel" or "to think." You use 觉得 when you want a deeper opinion. 你觉得这个菜怎么样？ (How do you think this dish is?) combines both. 怎么样 is the question; 觉得 is often part of the answer.
• 怎么样 vs. 好吗 (hǎo ma): 好吗 is strictly for seeking agreement. "Let's go, okay?" 怎么样 is more open. "Let's go, what do you think?" 怎么样 feels a bit more consultative and less pushy.
• 怎么样 vs. 怎么了 (zěnme le): 怎么了 means "What's wrong?" or "What happened?". If someone is crying, ask 你怎么了？. If you want to know how their day was, ask 你今天怎么样？.