怎 (zěn) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 怎 (zěn) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 怎 (zěn) means "how; why". It is an HSK Level 1 character, with 9 strokes and the radical 心.

Q: How do you write 怎 stroke by stroke?

怎 has 9 strokes. The radical is 心. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 怎 and 忌?

怎 (zěn) and 忌 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 怎?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 心. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 怎?

Common words containing 怎 include: 怎么 (zěn me) — how; what; why; 怎么样 (zěn me yàng) — how; how about; what's up; 怎么办 (zěn me bàn) — what to do; how to handle it.

How to Write 怎

The character 怎 (zěn) is written with 9 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 心 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

怎 is pronounced zěn in Mandarin Chinese. It means how; why.

As an HSK Level 1 character, 怎 is among the first characters beginners learn.

Common Words with 怎

怎么 zěn me

how; what; why

怎么样 zěn me yàng

how; how about; what's up

怎么办 zěn me bàn

what to do; how to handle it

Example Sentences

你怎么还没来？

nǐ zěn me hái méi lái

Why haven't you come yet?

这道菜味道怎么样？

zhè dào cài wèi dào zěn me yàng

How does this dish taste?

手机丢了怎么办？

shǒu jī diū le zěn me bàn

What should I do if I lose my phone?

Similar Characters

忌 jì

忍 rěn

忐 tǎn

Practice Writing 怎 (zěn)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 怎 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 怎

What does 怎 (zěn) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 怎 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 怎 and 忌?

What mistakes do learners make writing 怎?

What common words use 怎?

How to Write 怎 (zěn)