怎zěn

怎

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Simplified · Today

简体

Simplified Chinese

怎 (zěn, "how/why") appears in Simplified Chinese as a compact character that asks questions about manner or reason. Its left side shows the heart radical (忄), while the right side holds the phonetic component 乍, together forming a character that asks "in what way?" — essential in everyday Mandarin for prompting explanation or inquiry.

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Shuowen

怎 is composed of the heart radical 忄 and the phonetic 乍, reflecting the mind’s inquiry. Originally it meant “to think” or “to consider,” representing mental questioning. The character is written with heart to symbolize thought and 乍 to provide the sound, together expressing the idea of “how” or “why.”

Pinyin

zěn· HSK 1

怎zěn

Character evolution

Shuowen

Pinyin