Meaning
Asks about the current weather conditions.
Cultural Background
In Beijing and surrounding areas, people love 'Er-hua' (adding an 'r' sound). You will often hear '{天儿|tiānr}{怎么样|zěnmeyàng}？'. It sounds more local and friendly. Southern regions are more prone to humidity and typhoons. Weather talk here often focuses on {潮湿|cháoshī} (humidity) and {闷热|mēnrè} (muggy/stuffy). Due to pollution issues in big cities, asking about the weather is often a coded way to ask about the AQI (Air Quality Index). If someone says the weather is 'bad,' they might mean the smog is heavy. Older people may link weather to health advice immediately. If you say it's cold, expect to be told to wear long johns ({秋裤|qiūkù}).
The 'How' Rule
Always use {怎么样|zěnmeyàng} to ask about the state of things (weather, health, movies).
No 'Shi'
Avoid saying '{天气|tiānqì}{是|shì}{怎么样|zěnmeyàng}'. It's a very common beginner mistake.
Meaning
Asks about the current weather conditions.
The 'How' Rule
Always use {怎么样|zěnmeyàng} to ask about the state of things (weather, health, movies).
No 'Shi'
Avoid saying '{天气|tiānqì}{是|shì}{怎么样|zěnmeyàng}'. It's a very common beginner mistake.
Add 'De'
Adding {的|de} after a place name makes it sound more natural: '{北京|běijīng}{的|de}{天气|tiānqì}'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing part of the question.
{今天|jīntiān}_____{怎么样|zěnmeyàng}？
{天气|tiānqì} is the correct noun for 'weather'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the natural Chinese sentence:
Chinese does not need {是|shì} before {怎么样|zěnmeyàng}.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {明天|míngtiān}{天气|tiānqì}{怎么样|zěnmeyàng}？ B: ___________。
The question asks about weather, so the answer should describe weather conditions.
Match the situation to the correct variation.
Situation: A formal weather report on TV.
{如何|rúhé} and {今日|jīnrì} are formal/written forms suitable for news.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises{今天|jīntiān}_____{怎么样|zěnmeyàng}？
{天气|tiānqì} is the correct noun for 'weather'.
Select the natural Chinese sentence:
Chinese does not need {是|shì} before {怎么样|zěnmeyàng}.
A: {明天|míngtiān}{天气|tiānqì}{怎么样|zěnmeyàng}？ B: ___________。
The question asks about weather, so the answer should describe weather conditions.
Situation: A formal weather report on TV.
{如何|rúhé} and {今日|jīnrì} are formal/written forms suitable for news.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, but without the word {天气|tiānqì}. '{你|nǐ}{怎么样|zěnmeyàng}？' means 'How are you?'
Yes, but that specifically asks if the weather is *good*. {怎么样|zěnmeyàng} is neutral.
{如何|rúhé} is more formal and used in writing or news reports. {怎么样|zěnmeyàng} is for speaking.
You can say '{天气|tiānqì}{很|hěn}{好|hǎo}' (Good), '{下雨|xiàyǔ}{了|le}' (Raining), or '{很|hěn}{冷|lěng}' (Cold).
Related Phrases
{空气|kōngqì}{质量|zhìliàng}
similarAir quality
{气温|qìwēn}
specialized formAir temperature
{气候|qìhòu}
similarClimate
{变天|biàntiān}
builds onWeather change / Political change
