▎怎麼這麼, zĕnme zhème, why so...?

 

Function These two adverbs, 怎麼 and 這麼, are combined in this instance to convey the speaker’s amazement. Only state verbs follow them.

1 A：聽說小王每天都去夜市吃雞排。

Tīngshuō Xiǎo Wáng měi tiān dōu qù yèshì chī jīpái.

I hear that Xiao Wang goes to the night market for a chicken cutlet every single day.

B：他怎麼這麼愛吃雞排？！

Tā zěnme zhème ài chī jīpái?!

How can he love chicken that much!?

2 A：這件羊毛外套一件賣三萬塊錢。

Zhè jiàn yángmáo wàitào yí jiàn mài sānwàn kuài qián.

This wool coat cost 30,000 dollars.

B：怎麼這麼貴？！

Zěnme zhème guì?!

Wow, why so expensive!?

3 A：這位女明星得了今年的最佳女主角獎。

Zhè wèi nǚmíngxīng déle jīnnián de zuìjiā nǚzhǔjiǎo jiǎng.

This movie star won the award for best female actress.

B：她還這麼年輕。演技怎麼這麼好！

Tā hái zhème niánqīng. Yǎnjì zěnme zhème hǎo!

How can she be so talented at such a young age!?

4 A：在荷蘭就算下雪，孩子們也會到戶外活動。

Zài Hélán jiùsuàn xiàxuě, háizimen yě huì dào hùwài huódòng.

In Holland the kids go out to play even if it’s snowing.

B：怎麼這麼不怕冷？！

Zěnme zhème bú pà lěng?!

Wow, they really must not mind the cold!

5 A：下訂單以後 24小時就能收到訂購的東西。

Xià dìngdān yǐhòu 24 xiǎoshí jiù néng shōudào dìnggòu de dōngxi.

You will receive your order within 24 hours of placing it.

B：怎麼這麼快？！

Zěnme zhème kuài?!

How can it be so fast!?