The question word 怎么样

In Chinese, 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) asks someone's opinion of something, or what it is like.

In English it is usually rendered as “how is it?” or “what do you think?”.

Basic structure

…… + 怎么样？

Meaning: what is … like? what do you think of …?

这(Zhè)个(ge)杯(bēi)子(zi)怎(zěn)么(me)样(yàng)？

What do you think of this cup?

我(Wǒ)很(hěn)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)，也(yě)不(bú)贵(guì)。

I like it a lot, and it's not expensive either.

这个杯子 + 怎么样？ this cup + how is it?

这(zhè)个(ge)杯(bēi)子(zi)this cup

怎(zěn)么(me)样(yàng)how is it?

很(hěn)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)like a lot

也(yě)不(bú)贵(guì)not expensive either

这(Zhè)本(běn)书(shū)怎(zěn)么(me)样(yàng)？

What is this book like?

很(Hěn)好(hǎo)看(kàn)。

It's very good.

这本书 + 怎么样？ this book + how is it?

这(zhè)本(běn)书(shū)this book

怎(zěn)么(me)样(yàng)how is it?

很(hěn)好(hǎo)看(kàn)very good to read

这(Zhè)个(ge)菜(cài)怎(zěn)么(me)样(yàng)？

What is this dish like?

这(Zhè)个(ge)菜(cài)不(bú)太(tài)好(hǎo)吃(chī)，我(wǒ)不(bù)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)。

This dish isn't very tasty, I don't like it.

这个菜 + 怎么样？ this dish + how is it?

这(zhè)个(ge)菜(cài)this dish

怎(zěn)么(me)样(yàng)how is it?

不(bú)太(tài)好(hǎo)吃(chī)not very tasty

我(wǒ)不(bù)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)I don't like it

…… + 怎么样？

Meaning: it asks what something is like, or what someone thinks of it.

Examples:

这(Zhè)个(ge)杯(bēi)子(zi)怎(zěn)么(me)样(yàng)？

What do you think of this cup?

这(Zhè)本(běn)书(shū)怎(zěn)么(me)样(yàng)？

What is this book like?

这(Zhè)个(ge)菜(cài)怎(zěn)么(me)样(yàng)？

What is this dish like?