怎么 (zěnme) vs 为什么 (wèishénme): How to Ask "How" and "Why" in Chinese
One of the most common confusions for Chinese learners is knowing when to use 怎么 (zěnme) and when to use 为什么 (wèishénme). Both can translate to "why" in certain contexts, but they have very different meanings and uses.
In this complete guide, you'll learn exactly when to use each question word, understand their different meanings, and master Chinese question patterns for your IGCSE exam.
怎么 (zěnme): Asking "How"
怎么 = How / In what way
Used to ask about methods, processes, or ways of doing something
10 Common Uses of 怎么:
1. Asking "How to do something"
这个字怎么写?
Zhège zì zěnme xiě?
How do you write this character?
这道题怎么做?
Zhè dào tí zěnme zuò?
How do you solve this problem?
2. Asking "How to get somewhere"
怎么去机场?
Zěnme qù jīchǎng?
How do I get to the airport?
从这里怎么走?
Cóng zhèlǐ zěnme zǒu?
How do I go from here?
3. Asking about someone's condition
你怎么了?
Nǐ zěnme le?
What's wrong with you? / What happened to you?
他怎么样?
Tā zěnmeyàng?
How is he? / How's he doing?
4. Expressing surprise or confusion (= "Why" in this context)
你怎么不吃饭?
Nǐ zěnme bù chīfàn?
Why aren't you eating? (surprised tone)
他怎么还没来?
Tā zěnme hái méi lái?
Why hasn't he come yet? (confused/surprised)
5. Asking about methods or ways
这个菜怎么做?
Zhège cài zěnme zuò?
How do you make this dish?
怎么学中文?
Zěnme xué Zhōngwén?
How do you learn Chinese?
6. In 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) - "How about"
这个怎么样?
Zhège zěnmeyàng?
How about this one? / What do you think of this?
我们去看电影怎么样?
Wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐng zěnmeyàng?
How about we go watch a movie?
7. Asking about opinions
你觉得怎么样?
Nǐ juéde zěnmeyàng?
What do you think? / How do you feel about it?
8. In 怎么办 (zěnme bàn) - "What to do"
怎么办?
Zěnme bàn?
What should we do?
我忘了带钱包,怎么办?
Wǒ wàng le dài qiánbāo, zěnme bàn?
I forgot to bring my wallet, what should I do?
9. Asking about processes
这个手机怎么用?
Zhège shǒujī zěnme yòng?
How do you use this phone?
10. In rhetorical questions
我怎么知道?
Wǒ zěnme zhīdào?
How would I know?
这怎么可能?
Zhè zěnme kěnéng?
How is this possible?
💡 Key Point:
When 怎么 means "why," it usually expresses surprise, confusion, or an unexpected situation. It's more emotional than 为什么.
为什么 (wèishénme): Asking "Why"
为什么 = Why / For what reason
Used to ask about reasons, causes, or explanations
8 Common Uses of 为什么:
1. Asking for reasons
你为什么学中文?
Nǐ wèishénme xué Zhōngwén?
Why do you study Chinese?
他为什么不来?
Tā wèishénme bù lái?
Why isn't he coming?
2. Asking about causes
为什么会这样?
Wèishénme huì zhèyàng?
Why is it like this?
为什么天是蓝色的?
Wèishénme tiān shì lánsè de?
Why is the sky blue?
3. Asking for explanations
你能告诉我为什么吗?
Nǐ néng gàosu wǒ wèishénme ma?
Can you tell me why?
4. In formal or logical contexts
为什么这个方法更好?
Wèishénme zhège fāngfǎ gèng hǎo?
Why is this method better?
5. Asking about decisions
你为什么选择这个学校?
Nǐ wèishénme xuǎnzé zhège xuéxiào?
Why did you choose this school?
6. Asking about motivations
你为什么要这么做?
Nǐ wèishénme yào zhème zuò?
Why do you want to do this?
7. In scientific or academic questions
为什么水会结冰?
Wèishénme shuǐ huì jiébīng?
Why does water freeze?
8. Answering with 因为 (yīnwèi) - "because"
Q: 你为什么迟到了?
Nǐ wèishénme chídào le?
Why were you late?
A: 因为我起晚了。
Yīnwèi wǒ qǐ wǎn le.
Because I woke up late.
📝 Remember:
为什么 questions are typically answered with 因为 (yīnwèi) meaning "because."
怎么 vs 为什么: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Situation | 怎么 | 为什么 |
|---|---|---|
| Asking about methods | ✅ 怎么做?(How to do it?) | ❌ |
| Asking about reasons | ❌ | ✅ 为什么做?(Why do it?) |
| Expressing surprise | ✅ 怎么不来?(Why not come? - surprised) | ⚠️ Less emotional |
| Asking about condition | ✅ 你怎么了?(What's wrong?) | ❌ |
| Logical/formal questions | ⚠️ Less formal | ✅ More formal |
| Asking for directions | ✅ 怎么去?(How to get there?) | ❌ |
Compare These Examples:
Example 1: Not eating
你怎么不吃饭?
Why aren't you eating? (surprised/concerned - noticed you're not eating)
你为什么不吃饭?
Why aren't you eating? (asking for a reason - neutral tone)
Example 2: Not coming
他怎么还没来?
Why hasn't he come yet? (confused/worried - expected him to be here)
他为什么不来?
Why isn't he coming? (asking for the reason)
Other Important Question Words
什么 (shénme) - What
这是什么?
Zhè shì shénme?
What is this?
哪里 (nǎli) - Where
你去哪里?
Nǐ qù nǎli?
Where are you going?
谁 (shéi/shuí) - Who
他是谁?
Tā shì shéi?
Who is he?
什么时候 (shénme shíhou) - When
你什么时候来?
Nǐ shénme shíhou lái?
When are you coming?
多少 (duōshao) - How many/much
多少钱?
Duōshao qián?
How much money?
几 (jǐ) - How many (small numbers)
你有几个兄弟?
Nǐ yǒu jǐ ge xiōngdì?
How many brothers do you have?
| Question Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 什么 (shénme) | What | 你叫什么名字?(What's your name?) |
| 哪里/哪儿 (nǎli/nǎr) | Where | 你在哪里?(Where are you?) |
| 谁 (shéi) | Who | 谁来了?(Who came?) |
| 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) | When | 什么时候开始?(When does it start?) |
| 怎么 (zěnme) | How | 怎么去?(How to get there?) |
| 为什么 (wèishénme) | Why | 为什么学中文?(Why study Chinese?) |
| 多少 (duōshao) | How many/much | 多少钱?(How much?) |
| 几 (jǐ) | How many (small #) | 几点?(What time?) |
Practice Exercises
Choose 怎么 or 为什么 for each sentence:
1. 你___学中文?(Why do you study Chinese?)
Answer: 为什么 (asking for reason)
2. 这个字___写?(How do you write this character?)
Answer: 怎么 (asking about method)
3. 你___了?(What's wrong with you?)
Answer: 怎么 (asking about condition)
4. ___天是蓝色的?(Why is the sky blue?)
Answer: 为什么 (asking for scientific reason)
5. ___去机场?(How do I get to the airport?)
Answer: 怎么 (asking about directions)
6. 你___不高兴?(Why are you unhappy?)
Answer: 为什么 (asking for reason - neutral)
7. 他___还没来?(Why hasn't he come yet? - surprised)
Answer: 怎么 (expressing surprise/confusion)
8. 这个菜___做?(How do you make this dish?)
Answer: 怎么 (asking about cooking method)
9. 你___选择这个学校?(Why did you choose this school?)
Answer: 为什么 (asking for reason behind decision)
10. ___办?(What should we do?)
Answer: 怎么 (fixed expression 怎么办)
IGCSE Exam Connection
Paper 3 (Speaking): Use Both Question Words
Show variety by using both 怎么 and 为什么 appropriately in your responses and questions.
Paper 4 (Writing): Answer 为什么 with 因为
When you use 为什么 in your writing, make sure to answer with 因为 to show complete sentence structures.
Common Exam Topics
怎么 often appears in: directions, methods, advice. 为什么 often appears in: opinions, reasons, explanations.
Don't Confuse Them
Using the wrong question word is a common mistake that can cost you marks. Practice distinguishing between them.
Master Chinese Question Words
Try our interactive Toolkit 5: Questions to practice all Chinese question patterns with instant feedback and real exam scenarios.
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