Chinese Grammar: 不怎么

The Chinese like to use 不怎么 in their daily life. It literally means “not how”, which on his own, doesn’t make much sense. However, when 不怎么 is used with a verb and adjectives, it starts to make sense. Let's see how it works.

Using 不怎么 with a verb

When 不怎么 is used with verbs, it means “not often”, “not frequent”. It shows the frequency of doing something.

Structure

Subject + 不怎么 + Verb

Examples

我 不怎么 吃 面条。
I don’t often eat noodles.

他 不怎么 去 学校。
He doesn’t often go to school.

这里 不怎么 下雨。
It doesn't often rain here.

Using 不怎么 before an adjective

不怎么 has a different meaning when used with adjectives. When something is not very good, then you can add 不怎么 before an adjective. 不怎么 is quite similar to what we’ve learned before: 不 太, “not very” to indicate a not so deep degree.

Structure

Object + 不怎么 + adjective

Examples

这 饭 不怎么 好吃。
This dish isn’t very tasty.

这个 姑娘 不怎么 漂亮。
This girl isn’t that pretty.

事情 不怎么 顺利。
Things didn’t go so well.

When 不怎么 is used before an adjective, the statement is put in a gentle tone. Let’s compare it: 他 不 聪明。He is not smart. 他 不怎么 聪明。He is not very smart. 不怎么 is a tad euphemistic true, but, it's still kinder.