What is the difference between 怎么 and 真?
怎 (zěn, as in 怎么 zěnme, how) and 真 (zhēn, really) differ in two ways. The initial: z is made with the tongue tip behind the top teeth, zh with the tongue tip curled back behind the gum ridge. The tone: 怎 is third tone (low, dipping), 真 is first tone (high and level). Get either one wrong and 怎么样 can sound like 真么样.
| 怎么 zěnme | how, why: 怎么走？ 你怎么了？ (z, third tone) |
|---|---|
| 真 zhēn | really, truly: 真好, 真的吗？ (zh, first tone) |
怎么 zěnme
From the readings on this site
- 医生问我：“你怎么了？”The doctor asked me, "What's wrong?"HSK 2 · 生病了
- 朋友看见我，问：“你怎么了？”Friend sees me, and asks: "What's wrong?"HSK 2 · 没事
- 我问他火车站怎么走，他告诉我了。I ask him how to get to the train station, and he tells me.HSK 2 · 你会说英语吗
真 zhēn
From the readings on this site
- 我爱学习汉语，汉语的数字真有趣！I love studying Chinese, and Chinese numbers are really fun!HSK 1 · 数字真有趣
- 这真是快乐的一天！This was really a happy day!HSK 2 · 快乐的一天
- 我觉得下雪的天气真好。I think snowy weather is really lovely.HSK 2 · 雪天
