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How to say “not knowing how to” in Chinese with 不知道

Subj. + 不知道 (bù zhīdào) + Verb Phrase + 好 (hǎo)

Expressing not knowing how to do something using "好 (hǎo)"

HSK 4Basic/Simple Sentence Patterns

Rule structure

好 (hǎo) after a verb in negative or rhetorical questions indicates "know how to do properly". Often appears as Verb + 好 (hǎo) or 怎么 (zěnme) + Verb + 好 (hǎo).

Examples

这件事我不知道怎么办好。

Zhè jiàn shì wǒ bù zhīdào zěnme bàn hǎo.

I don't know what would be best to do about this matter.

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Expressing not knowing how to do something using "好 (hǎo)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: Subj. + 不知道 (bù zhīdào) + Verb Phrase + 好 (hǎo). For example: 这件事我不知道怎么办好。 — “I don't know what would be best to do about this matter.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

这件事我不知道怎么办好。 — “I don't know what would be best to do about this matter.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.

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More HSK 4 grammar rules

Expressing "multiples" with "倍 (bèi)"

A + 是 (shì) + B + 的 (de) + Number + 倍 (bèi)

Expressing "not at all" with "一点儿也不 (yìdiǎnr yě bù)"

一点儿也 (yīdiǎnr yě) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.

Expressing "even" with "连 (lián) … 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) …"

连 (lián) + Noun + 都 (dōu) + Verb

Phrases using "来说 (láishuō)"

对 (duì) + Person + 来说 (láishuō)

Indicating the whole with "全 (quán)"

全 (quán) + Measure Word + Noun

Expressing "until" with "到 (dào)"

Verb + 到 (dào) + Time / Place / Degree

Advanced uses of "连 (lián)"

连 (lián) + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb

Expressing "it turns out / originally" with "原来 (yuánlái)"

Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate