HSK 5
怎么，……
zěnme，……
expression of surprise
Structure
怎么 + ， + [Unexpected Statement] + ？/！
How it works
In this context, '怎么' is used at the beginning of a sentence as an interjection to express surprise, disbelief, or shock. It is often followed by a comma and functions similarly to 'What?!', 'How come?', or 'Why?' in English. It implies that the situation is unexpected or contrary to what was assumed.
Examples
怎么，难道你还没决定好要不要去参加婚礼？
Zěnme, nándào nǐ hái méi juédìng hǎo yào bú yào qù cānjiā hūnlǐ?
What, is it possible you still haven't decided whether to attend the wedding?
怎么，你竟然为了这点小事跟我生气？
Zěnme, nǐ jìngrán wèile zhè diǎn xiǎoshì gēn wǒ shēngqì?
What, you are actually getting angry at me over such a small matter?
怎么，你还不打算告诉他真相吗？
Zěnme, nǐ hái bù dǎsuàn gàosù tā zhēnxiàng ma?
What, you still don't intend to tell him the truth?
Common mistakes
Don't confuse this with the standard interrogative '怎么' (how) used to ask for a method; when expressing surprise, it is usually followed by a pause (comma) or a full sentence rather than modifying a specific verb.
Tip
To make the surprise sound more natural, you can pair it with adverbs like '竟然' (jìngrán) or '居然' (jūrán), or use the rhetorical pattern '难道...吗?'
More HSK 5 grammar
See 怎么，…… in real Chinese
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