In 15 Seconds
- Ask for opinions on food, clothes, or ideas easily.
- Place it after a noun or at the end of thoughts.
- Perfect for showing you value someone's perspective and taste.
Meaning
This is your go-to way to ask for someone's opinion or feelings about something. It is like saying 'How do you feel about this?' or 'What's your take?'
Key Examples
3 of 6Trying on new clothes
我穿这件红色的，你觉得怎么样？
I'm wearing this red one, what do you think?
After tasting a new dish
这家店的菜，你觉得怎么样？
The food at this restaurant, what do you think?
In a business meeting
关于这个计划，您觉得怎么样？
Regarding this plan, what do you think (sir/ma'am)?
Cultural Background
This phrase reflects the Chinese emphasis on 'renqing' (interpersonal harmony) by seeking consensus rather than imposing one's will. While it is a standard modern expression, it acts as a social lubricant in both business and casual settings to ensure everyone feels heard. In some regions, like Beijing, you might hear an 'r' sound added to the end: 'zěnmeyàngr'.
The 'R' Factor
If you are in Beijing, people often say `怎么样儿` (zěnmeyàngr). It sounds more local and 'earthy'.
Don't over-ask
If you ask this too much in a row, you might seem like you have no opinion of your own. Balance it out!
In 15 Seconds
- Ask for opinions on food, clothes, or ideas easily.
- Place it after a noun or at the end of thoughts.
- Perfect for showing you value someone's perspective and taste.
What It Means
你觉得怎么样？ is the ultimate conversation starter. It asks for an opinion, a feeling, or a judgment. It is not just about facts. It is about the person's internal reaction. You are inviting them to share their perspective with you.
How To Use It
Place it at the end of a sentence. You can mention a specific thing first. For example, 这件衣服，你觉得怎么样？ (This outfit, what do you think?). You can also use it on its own. If you just finished a movie, just look at your friend and say it. It is simple, flexible, and very powerful.
When To Use It
Use it when you genuinely want an opinion. It works at a restaurant after the first bite. Use it in a meeting after proposing a new idea. It is perfect for texting a photo of a potential gift. It shows you value the other person's taste. It is a great way to keep a conversation flowing naturally.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for objective facts. Don't ask 现在几点，你觉得怎么样？ (What time is it, what do you think?). That sounds like you are questioning the nature of time itself! Also, avoid it if you are the boss giving a direct command. It can sound too indecisive if you use it for every tiny choice. Sometimes, just make a decision!
Cultural Background
Chinese culture often values 'mianzi' or face. Asking 你觉得怎么样？ is a polite way to show respect. You are giving the other person the 'stage' to speak. It softens a suggestion so you don't seem too pushy. In older times, people were more indirect. This phrase is a modern, clear way to bridge that gap. It is friendly but maintains a nice level of social harmony.
Common Variations
If you are in a rush, try 怎么样？ (How is it?). For a more formal vibe, use 您觉得如何？ (What do you think, respectfully?). If you want to be very casual with best friends, try 你觉得呢？ (How about you?). Each one changes the 'flavor' slightly but keeps the core meaning. It is like choosing between a suit and a comfy hoodie.
Usage Notes
This phrase is incredibly versatile and sits right in the middle of the formality scale. It's safe for almost any situation as long as you swap 'ni' for 'nin' when speaking to superiors.
The 'R' Factor
If you are in Beijing, people often say `怎么样儿` (zěnmeyàngr). It sounds more local and 'earthy'.
Don't over-ask
If you ask this too much in a row, you might seem like you have no opinion of your own. Balance it out!
The Polite 'No'
If someone asks you this and you hate the thing, Chinese people often start with `还可以` (hái kěyǐ - it's okay) before giving a soft critique.
Examples
6我穿这件红色的，你觉得怎么样？
I'm wearing this red one, what do you think?
A classic way to ask for fashion advice.
这家店的菜，你觉得怎么样？
The food at this restaurant, what do you think?
Commonly used to start a food critique during dinner.
关于这个计划，您觉得怎么样？
Regarding this plan, what do you think (sir/ma'am)?
Using 'nin' makes this professional and respectful.
那部电影你觉得怎么样？
What did you think of that movie?
A great follow-up question after a shared experience.
我的新发型，你觉得怎么样？其实我剪坏了。
My new haircut, what do you think? Actually, I messed it up.
Fishing for a compliment even when you know it's bad.
我们分手吧，你觉得怎么样？
Let's break up, what do you think?
A very heavy, emotional way to ask for agreement on a sad decision.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence to ask your friend's opinion on a new phone.
这个新手机，你___？
`觉得怎么样` is the standard way to ask 'what do you think' about an object.
Choose the most polite way to ask a teacher's opinion.
老师，这个主意___？
Using `您` (nín) adds the necessary respect for a teacher or elder.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'What do you think?'
Shortened for close friends
怎么样？ (Zenmeyang?)
Standard everyday use
你觉得怎么样？
Polite/Professional
您觉得怎么样？
Where to use 你觉得怎么样？
Shopping
Asking about a dress
Dining
Asking about the spicy tofu
Office
Asking about a report
Cinema
Asking about the ending
Practice Bank
2 exercises这个新手机，你___？
`觉得怎么样` is the standard way to ask 'what do you think' about an object.
老师，这个主意___？
Using `您` (nín) adds the necessary respect for a teacher or elder.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! 怎么样？ is a very common short version used among friends. It's like saying 'How is it?' instead of the full sentence.
It is, but you should change 你 (nǐ) to 您 (nín). Say 您觉得怎么样？ to show proper respect.
你觉得呢？ means 'What about you?' and is usually used after you have already shared your own opinion. 你觉得怎么样？ is a more open-ended start.
You can start with 我觉得... (I feel...) followed by an adjective like 很好 (very good) or 很有趣 (very interesting).
Yes, you can ask 你觉得他怎么样？ (What do you think of him?). It's a common way to ask for an impression of a new colleague or date.
Yes, if someone was sick, you can ask 你身体怎么样？ (How is your health/body?). It's a caring way to check in.
Not exactly. While 最近怎么样？ means 'How have you been lately?', 你觉得怎么样？ specifically asks for an opinion on something.
You can ask 你觉得今天的天气怎么样？ (What do you think of today's weather?), but usually people just ask 今天天气怎么样？ (How is the weather today?).
With friends, family, and peers, 你 is perfect. Only use 您 for elders, teachers, or high-level clients to avoid sounding too casual.
Chinese doesn't change verb tenses like English. You just say 你觉得怎么样？ and the context (like talking about a movie you just saw) makes the timing clear.
Related Phrases
你觉得呢？
How about you? / What do you think?
还可以
It's okay / Not bad (a common neutral response).
怎么了？
What's wrong? / What happened?
如何？
How is it? (More formal/literary version of 怎么样).
