Hey everyone! Ever get confused about when to use 如何 and 怎么 in Chinese? They both mean “how,” but they have completely different vibes! Stick around, because by the end of this video, you’ll know exactly how to use each one and level up your Chinese! This lesson is based on the HSK 5 Standard Course, Volume 1, Page 6, so it’s perfect for anyone working through the HSK levels. Let’s get started!
Let’s kick things off with 如何. Think of 如何 as your fancy, formal friend. It shows up in more serious or written contexts, like essays or speeches. You’ll use it when you want to ask how something should be done in a more polished way.
For example:
"该如何爱护我们的地球？"(How should we protect our planet?)
See? It’s all about that structured, formal vibe. 如何 can't ask why something happens—it’s strictly for asking how something is done or how it works.
And here’s a cool tip:You can also use 如何 at the end of a sentence to ask about a situation or to seek feedback.
For example:
"我们今晚就这么做，如何？"(Let’s do it this way tonight, how about that?)
Plus, you can use 如何 to ask about someone’s current state, like this:
"最近身体如何？"(How’s your health been lately?)
Now let’s switch gears to 怎么. If 如何 is your formal friend, 怎么 is your casual, everyday buddy. You’ll hear it all the time in daily conversations.
For example:
"你今天是怎么来的？"(How did you get here today?)
But here’s where 怎么 gets even cooler: you can also use it to ask why something’s happening! Like:
"今天怎么这么冷？"(Why is it so cold today?)
And wait—there’s more! 怎么 can even express surprise at the start of a sentence. Imagine seeing an old friend, you might say:
"怎么，你不认识我了？"(What, you don’t recognize me?)
Let’s wrap it up! Remember: 如何 is for more formal situations—asking how to do something or how someone is doing. 怎么 is your go-to for everyday chats—it can ask how, why, and even show surprise!
Thanks for watching! Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be switching between 如何 and 怎么 like a pro. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more tips like this! See you in the next lesson!
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