HSK 2
用 "什么时候、什么样、为什么、怎么样、怎样”提问
yòng " shén me shí hou 、 shén me yàng 、 wèi shén me 、 zěn me yàng 、 zěn yàng ” tí wèn
Using question words: 什么时候、什么样、为什么、怎么样、怎样
Explanation
These are common interrogative pronouns (words used to ask: when, how, why...). A key point in Chinese: the question word goes RIGHT at the position of the information being asked about in the sentence, is NOT moved to the front as in English, and 吗 is NOT added at the end.
place the question word in the right spot. Meaning of each word: 什么时候 (shénme shíhou) = when (asking about time); 什么样 (shénme yàng) = what kind (asking about characteristics, type), usually with 的 + noun — 什么样的朋友; 为什么 (wèishénme) = why (asking about reason), placed before the verb; 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) = how (asking about condition), usually at the end of the sentence; 怎样 (zěnyàng) = how/by what means, meaning close to 怎么样.
choose the question word according to what you want to know — time, characteristics, reason, or condition/manner.
怎么样 usually comes at the END of a sentence asking about a general condition (天气怎么样？); while 怎样/怎么 comes BEFORE the verb to ask how something is done (怎样去 = by what means to go).
(1) Adding 吗 at the end of a sentence that already has a question word (writing 明天天气怎么样吗？) — redundant, the sentence is already a question. (2) Moving the question word to the front out of English habit. (3) Placing 为什么 in the wrong spot; it comes before the verb/clause stating the reason (你为什么没去).
Examples
When are you all going to meet?
What kind of friends do you like?
Why didn't you go to class?
What will the weather be like tomorrow?
How will you get to school tomorrow?
Practice
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Learn “用 "什么时候、什么样、为什么、怎么样、怎样”提问” effectively
The grammar point “用 "什么时候、什么样、为什么、怎么样、怎样”提问” (Using question words: 什么时候、什么样、为什么、怎么样、怎样) is one of the key structures at HSK 2. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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