不
bù
No, not
不怎么样 (bù zěn mó yàng) — not so good, so-so
Subj. + 不怎么样 (bù zěnmeyàng)
HSK 33.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what不怎么样
Rule structure
不怎么样 (bù zěnmeyàng) is a conversational evaluation meaning “not very good” or “so-so.” It usually follows the thing being evaluated, such as food, a film or a result. Unlike the question 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng), “how is it?”, the speaker is already giving a negative evaluation.
Rule structure
不怎么样 (bù zěnmeyàng) is a conversational evaluation meaning “not very good” or “so-so.” It usually follows the thing being evaluated, such as food, a film or a result. Unlike the question 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng), “how is it?”, the speaker is already giving a negative evaluation.
Examples
这家饭馆不怎么样。
Zhè jiā fànguǎn bù zěnmeyàng.
This restaurant is not so good.
他的汉语不怎么样。
Tā de Hànyǔ bù zěnmeyàng.
His Chinese is not so good.
Examples
这家饭馆不怎么样。
Zhè jiā fànguǎn bù zěnmeyàng.
This restaurant is not so good.
他的汉语不怎么样。
Tā de Hànyǔ bù zěnmeyàng.
His Chinese is not so good.
Try this rule
Two short exercises: see how the rule works in a dialogue and in a sentence. No sign-up needed.
Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “not so good, so-so” in Chinese with 不怎么样?
Use the structure: Subj. + 不怎么样 (bù zěnmeyàng). For example: 这家饭馆不怎么样。 — “This restaurant is not so good”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
这家饭馆不怎么样。 — “This restaurant is not so good”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 3.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 3.0 Level 3 grammar rules
不一会儿 — soon afterwards
不一会儿 (bù yíhuìr) + Subject + (就 (jiù)) + Verb + 了 (le)
该 — it's time to
该 (gāi) + Verb + 了 (le)
不 — neither… nor… pattern
不 (bù) + A + 不 (bù) + B
不是……吗？ — rhetorical questions
不 (bù) 是 (shì)…… 吗 (ma)？
极了 — extremely, very
Adj. + 极了 (jí le)
得很 — very, extremely
Adj. + 得很 (de hěn)
先 — first… then…
先 (xiān)……, 再 (zài)……
一边 — doing two things at once
一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 1, 一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 2