Whether you're working towards a degree or working professionally, odds are you need to pull the occasional all nighter. We feel your pain, as do about half the taxi drivers in Beijing.In this lesson, we cover a casual way of asking after someone. How are you feeling? And the best thing about this phrase is that with a slight change it doubles as a useful way of telling others you're not at the top of your game. This is the kind of authentic Chinese that will help you break the ice with strangers. We highly recommend it.
xiaoxin
said on December 2, 2008
"为什么不怎么样？"，we also say "怎么不怎么样？", more local actually.
yen
said on February 7, 2010
When you say that "不怎么样" is very local, does that mean local to Beijing, or that it's a more informal use of the phrase? So, were I to say it in Shanghai, would people just be confused?
Gail天堂的声音
said on February 7, 2010
@yen,
and we can also say 什么不怎么样？ and I like this one best.
neehnahw
said on August 6, 2010
Is there a rule when to add the er hua yin?
Echo
said on August 6, 2010
@neehnahw，
There are no specific rules for adding er hua yin, so basically people have to remember them. There are some tips that can help:
1)We add er hua yin after some small things（especially when they are cute, or something you like):
小个儿、小孩儿、宝贝儿
2)We add er hua yin to soften the intonation:
玩儿、慢慢儿、好好儿
3)We add er hua yin to turn a word into a noun:
拍(verb)-拍儿、尖(adjective)- 尖儿、块(measure word)-块儿
--Echo
echo@popupchinese.com
kay_kay1424
said on June 6, 2012
今天我不累因为没熬夜。^^
Echo
said on June 6, 2012
@kay_kay1424,:) 我也是--Echoecho@popupchinese.com
littlemssaigon
said on November 7, 2013
I thought zen me yang meant what do you think?
Grace Qi
said on November 7, 2013
@littlemssaigon,Actually zen me yang has multiple meanings depending on different contexts.What do you think? - 你觉得这件衣服怎么样？What can you do about it? (In a provoking way) - 你能怎么样？Used in negative sentences - 不怎么样 － means not so good. 这东西不怎么样。那个人不怎么样。Hope it helps.
