how
how — 副詞
1. used in questions to ask about the method someone uses or the procedure by which
如何；怎樣
提問做事方式或方法的用詞
used in questions to ask about the method someone uses or the procedure by which something happens
How do you open this bottle without a tool?
你怎麼不用工具就打開這個瓶子？
how + do + subject + verb for method
Zayd showed me how to change a flat tyre on the bike.
Zayd 教了我如何在腳踏車上更換漏氣的輪胎。
how + to-infinitive
Can anyone explain how the thieves got past the security gate?
有誰能解釋小偷是怎麼突破安全門的？
The instructor showed the class how to sharpen a knife with a whetstone.
老師向全班示範如何用磨刀石把刀子磨利。
Heloísa is learning how the university library organises its books.
Heloísa 正在學習大學圖書館如何整理藏書。
- in what way
more formal; used in writing
- by what means
formal; emphasises the instrument or tool used
文法句型
how + do/does/did + subject + verb
how + modal + subject + verb
how + to-infinitive
用法筆記
In indirect (embedded) questions, the word order is subject + verb, not verb + subject. Compare: How did she escape? (direct) → I wonder how she escaped. (indirect)
常見錯誤
2. used after a specific event or situation to ask for an update about someone's he
情況如何
詢問他人身體或情緒狀況
used after a specific event or situation to ask for an update about someone's health, mood, or wellbeing
How is your father after his knee surgery?
你父親膝蓋手術後情況如何？
how + be + subject + after [event]
I called the clinic to ask how the patient was feeling this morning.
我打電話到診所詢問那位病人今天早上感覺如何。
how + subject + be + feeling
How are the children doing at their new school?
孩子們在新學校適應得怎麼樣？
Bao asked how his grandmother was after she fell last week.
Bao 問他祖母上週跌倒後身體怎麼樣了。
- in what state
more formal; used in written medical or formal contexts
文法句型
how + be + subject
how + be + subject + feeling/doing
用法筆記
Unlike sense 6 (WELL-BEING), this sense asks about a specific condition after a particular event — an illness, exam, move, or other change — and expects a detailed answer rather than a short social reply.
常見錯誤
3. used to ask for an evaluation of an event, activity, or experience that has happ
體驗如何
詢問經歷或活動的感受
used to ask for an evaluation of an event, activity, or experience that has happened or is happening
How was your trip to the Grand Canyon?
你的大峽谷之旅怎麼樣？
how + be for asking about an experience
How did Yael's first cooking class at the community centre go?
Yael 在社區中心的第一堂烹飪課上得怎麼樣？
how + did + subject + go
Kwame asked how the job interview went at the hospital.
Kwame 問醫院的求職面試進行得如何。
How is the new video game — is it as good as everyone says?
這款新電動遊戲怎麼樣——有大家說的那麼好玩嗎？
- what was... like
alternative phrasing; more neutral
文法句型
how + be + subject
how + did + subject + verb
用法筆記
Very common after events that have just finished. The verb is usually be, go, or turn out. Expects an evaluative answer (good/bad/fun/boring).
常見錯誤
4. used at the start of an exclamation to express strong feelings such as surprise,
多麼
用於感嘆句，表示強烈感受
used at the start of an exclamation to express strong feelings such as surprise, pleasure, or admiration about a quality or action
How beautiful the mountains looked in the morning light!
清晨陽光下的山巒多麼美麗啊！
how + adjective + subject + verb exclamation
How quickly the children grew up and started school!
孩子們長大上學的速度真快啊！
how + adverb + subject + verb exclamation
Christopher smiled at how neatly the little girl had folded her clothes.
Christopher 看著小女孩把衣服疊得多麼整齊，不禁笑了。
How kind it was of Takeshi to bring soup when I was sick!
Takeshi 在我生病時送湯來，真是太貼心了！
- what (a/an)
used with nouns: What a beautiful mountain!; how is used with adjectives/adverbs
文法句型
how + adjective + subject + verb
how + adverb + subject + verb
用法筆記
Follows the fixed pattern how + adjective/adverb + subject + verb. Do not use do/does/did — the subject comes directly after the adjective or adverb. Compare: How quickly she runs! (exclamation) vs How quickly does she run? (question).
常見錯誤
5. used in rhetorical questions to express strong surprise, shock, or disapproval a
怎麼會
用於表達震驚或不滿
used in rhetorical questions to express strong surprise, shock, or disapproval at something that seems unreasonable or unacceptable
How could Beatrix leave without saying goodbye to anyone?
Beatrix 怎麼能不跟任何人說再見就離開了？
how + could + subject + verb for disapproval
How can anyone spend that much money on a pair of shoes?
怎麼會有人在一雙鞋上花那麼多錢？
How could a restaurant with such good reviews serve food that tastes so bland?
一家評價那麼好的餐廳，東西怎麼會那麼難吃？
How dare you speak to your mother in that rude tone!
你竟敢用那種無禮的語氣跟你母親說話！
- I can't believe
less direct; states the speaker's reaction rather than questioning
文法句型
how + modal/could + subject + verb
how + can/could + subject + be + adjective
用法筆記
These are rhetorical questions — they do not expect an answer. The speaker's real purpose is to express a strong feeling. The stronger versions use how dare (anger) or how could (shock/disappointment).
常見錯誤
6. used as part of a greeting formula to ask in a general way how someone is, witho
你好嗎
打招呼時問候對方是否安好
used as part of a greeting formula to ask in a general way how someone is, without expecting a detailed answer
Saira greeted me with a warm smile and said, "How are you?"
Saira 帶著溫暖的笑容跟我打招呼說：「你好嗎？」
standard greeting: how are you
How are you doing this fine morning, Mr. Chen?
陳先生，今天早上好嗎？
how + be + subject + doing
When Haruto met his old teacher, he asked how she was.
Haruto 遇到以前的老師時，問她過得怎麼樣。
Élise wrote a short email and began with "How are things in Paris?"
Élise 寫了一封簡短的電子郵件，開頭寫著：「巴黎那邊怎麼樣？」
- how's it going
very informal; common in spoken English
- how are things
informal; friendly and open-ended
文法句型
how + be + subject
how + be + subject + doing
how are things/life
用法筆記
Commonly used as an opening greeting. The expected reply is usually short and positive (Fine, thanks / Good, you?), even when things are not perfect. This is a social routine, unlike sense 2 (CONDITION) which asks for a specific update after an event.
常見錯誤
7. a set phrase used upon being introduced to someone in a formal context
幸會
初次見面時的正式問候用語
a set phrase used upon being introduced to someone in a formal context
How do you do? My name is Christopher, and I work in the finance department.
幸會。我叫 Christopher，在財務部門工作。
How do you do? followed by self-introduction
When Adaeze met her boss's husband, he said 'How do you do?' and shook hands.
Adaeze 見到主管的先生時，對方說了一聲「幸會」並與她握手。
How do you do? during introductions
Stephanie smiled and replied 'How do you do?' when her colleague introduced his wife.
同事介紹太太時，Stephanie 微笑著回了一聲「幸會」。
Meeting the ambassador, the intern nervously said 'How do you do?' with a bow.
第一次見到大使時，緊張的實習生禮貌地鞠了一躬說：「幸會。」
The old-fashioned greeting 'How do you do?' is rarely used by younger people today.
傳統的問候語「幸會」在今天的年輕人之間已經很少使用了。
文法句型
How do you do?
用法筆記
This fixed phrase expects the same expression in reply: 'How do you do?' It is not a genuine question about the other person's state. Almost exclusively British English and quickly becoming old-fashioned.
常見錯誤
8. used to request that a person elaborate on information they have already mention
追問
要求對方進一步說明之前所說的話
used to request that a person elaborate on information they have already mentioned when you need more detail
You said the project is behind schedule — how? Did the team run into unexpected problems?
你說專案進度落後了——怎麼回事？團隊遇到了什麼問題嗎？
standalone how? after a statement
Élise asked her professor, 'How exactly does that theory apply to real-world situations?'
Élise 問教授：「那個理論究竟如何應用在現實情況中？」
how + exactly + clause
After Jason said he would handle everything, Tamar asked 'How?' with doubt in her voice.
當 Jason 說他會處理好一切時，Tamar 懷疑地追問：「怎麼做？」
How is it possible that the company lost money when sales grew by twenty percent?
公司怎麼可能在營收成長兩成的時候反而虧損呢？
You say the plan will work, but how? We lack the staff.
你說這個計畫行得通，但怎麼做？我們人手不足。
- in what way
more formal and explicit than standalone 'how?'
- why
asks for a reason rather than a method or mechanism
文法句型
how? (standalone)
how + clause?
用法筆記
Frequently used alone as a one-word question ('How?') after the speaker has made a claim. Can also introduce a full clause asking for the mechanism or reasoning behind a statement.
常見錯誤
9. used to check whether the person you are speaking to is satisfied with something
覺得如何
詢問對方對某事物的滿意度
used to check whether the person you are speaking to is satisfied with something you have offered, prepared, or arranged for them
How is your room, sir? Would you like extra pillows or a different view?
先生，您的房間覺得如何？需要多加枕頭或換個景色嗎？
how + is + noun? — service context
Heloísa held up the dress and asked, 'How does this look on me?'
Heloísa 拿起那件洋裝問：「我穿這件好看嗎？」
How does the soup taste? I added a little more salt than the recipe suggested.
湯的味道如何？我比食譜多加了一點鹽。
The waiter came to our table and asked, 'How is everything this evening?'
服務生走到我們桌旁問：「今晚的餐點還滿意嗎？」
Quinn emailed the draft to his manager and wrote, 'How does this look to you?'
Quinn 把草稿寄給主管，附註寫道：「您覺得如何？」
- what do you think of
more explicit and less natural as a quick question
- do you like
asks for personal preference rather than general satisfaction
文法句型
how + is/does/are + noun phrase?
用法筆記
Subject is typically a concrete thing you have provided (a room, a meal, a piece of work). The question expects a positive or negative evaluation, not a simple yes or no.
常見錯誤
10. used as a short response to express that you share the same opinion, feeling, or
同感
表示與對方有同樣的感受或看法
used as a short response to express that you share the same opinion, feeling, or experience as the person who just spoke
Adaeze complained about the traffic. Her colleague said, 'How true! I was stuck too.'
Adaeze 抱怨交通糟透了，同事說：「說得太對了！我也塞在車陣中。」
how true — agreeing with a statement
'The kids have grown so much.' 'How they have!' said Aunt Mei with a smile.
「孩子們長大好多喔。」「可不是嘛！」梅阿姨微笑著說。
how + subject + verb — emphatic agreement
How right you are about the new policy — our team keeps hearing complaints.
你對新政策的看法完全正確——我們團隊一直聽到顧客抱怨。
When Shanti described how difficult the exam was, everyone nodded and said, 'How true.'
當 Shanti 提到考試有多難時，大家都點頭說：「真有同感。」
Christopher exclaimed, 'How wonderful!' when he heard that his old friend had finally recovered.
Christopher 聽說老朋友終於康復了，開心地大喊：「太棒了！」
文法句型
how + adjective!
how + subject + verb!
用法筆記
Common patterns are 'How true!' (for factual agreement), 'How + subject + verb!' (for emphatic confirmation), and 'How + adjective!' (for emotional agreement). Distinguish from adverb sense 4 which uses 'how' for general emphasis without agreeing with another speaker.
常見錯誤
11. used at the start of questions before an adjective, adverb, or words such as muc
多少；多長
詢問數量、距離、時間或程度的用詞
used at the start of questions before an adjective, adverb, or words such as much, many, old, far, and long, in order to learn the size, number, age, distance, or cost of something
How much does this jacket cost? I really like the colour and the style.
這件外套多少錢？我很喜歡它的顏色和款式。
how + much — asking price
Cyrus asked the receptionist how long the train ride from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes.
Cyrus 問櫃檯人員從台北搭火車到高雄要多久。
how + long — asking duration
How far is the nearest hospital? We need to get help as quickly as possible.
最近的醫院有多遠？我們需要盡快找人幫忙。
Mei's grandmother asked how old the baby was and smiled when she heard the answer.
梅阿姨問寶寶多大了，聽到答案後開心地笑了。
The teacher asked how many students would join the trip to the science museum.
老師問有多少學生想參加科學博物館的校外教學。
- to what extent
much more formal and rare in everyday speech
文法句型
how + adjective/adverb?
how + much/many/long/far/old + noun/verb?
用法筆記
This is the most basic and frequent pattern for using 'how'. The adjective or adverb always comes immediately after 'how': 'how big', 'how quickly', 'how often'. In indirect questions, word order changes to subject + verb: 'She asked how old he was.'
常見錯誤
how — 連接詞
1. introduces a clause following a verb of knowing, showing, or telling to describe
方式；如何
引出說明方式或過程的子句
introduces a clause following a verb of knowing, showing, or telling to describe the method or manner of an action — as a subordinating conjunction, not a question word, so the clause keeps statement word order
Theo showed his little sister how to tie her shoelaces before school.
Theo 在出門前教妹妹如何繫好鞋帶。
how + to-infinitive pattern
I still remember how my grandmother made her special chicken soup from scratch.
我記得祖母是如何從頭到尾熬出她的拿手雞湯。
The science teacher explained how the solar system works using a cardboard model.
自然老師用紙板模型解釋太陽系的運作方式。
Yumi watched closely how the carpenter cut each piece of wood for the shelves.
Yumi 仔細看著木工如何裁切每一塊層板用的木材。
The hotel receptionist explained how the room key card works at check-in.
飯店櫃檯人員在辦理入住時說明房卡的使用方法。
文法句型
how + subject + verb
how + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Commonly follows verbs of communication and perception such as 'show', 'tell', 'explain', 'teach', 'remember', and 'describe'. The clause can take two forms: a to-infinitive structure (how + to + verb) for instructions, or a full clause (how + subject + verb) for describing processes or past events.
常見錯誤
2. used in formal or literary English in the same way as 'that' to report a fact, s
表事實
正式用法中相當於that，用於陳述事實
used in formal or literary English in the same way as 'that' to report a fact, statement, or feeling — for example, writing to say how delighted someone is, or explaining how a decision has been made.
The lawyer explained how the contract had already been signed by both teams.
律師說明合約已經由雙方簽署。
how = that (formal reporting)
Dewi mentioned how the award ceremony would take place in March this year.
Dewi 提到頒獎典禮將於今年三月舉行。
Amira wrote to say how grateful the team was for the extra funding.
Amira 來信提到團隊對於獲得額外資金非常感激。
The witness described how the suspect had left the building before midnight.
證人描述嫌犯在午夜前已離開大樓。
Adina mentioned how the scholarship had changed her approach to studying abroad.
Adina 提到獎學金如何改變了她出國讀書的規劃方式。
- that
neutral register; replaces 'how' in this sense without formality
- the fact that
more emphatic; 'He explained the fact that the contract was signed'
文法句型
how + that-clause (formal)
用法筆記
In this sense, 'how' can be replaced by 'that' without changing the meaning. Most common in formal letters, legal documents, and literary narratives rather than everyday conversation. Often used after verbs of reporting such as 'explain', 'mention', 'write', 'inform', and 'describe'.
常見錯誤
❌ 'I told him how I was going to the store.' (if meaning 'that' in casual speech) — This is grammatically correct but sounds overly formal in casual conversation; use 'that' instead for everyday contexts.
3. used to introduce a clause that describes a situation which does not affect the
無論
無論方式如何，結果不變
used to introduce a clause that describes a situation which does not affect the main result, meaning 'in whatever way' or 'no matter how' — for example, how you choose to travel, the time is the same; or try how you might, you cannot change the outcome.
How you travel to the island, the trip still takes at least three hours.
無論你選擇什麼方式前往那座島，這趟路程至少需要三個小時。
how + clause + main result clause (concessive)
How the team spends the prize money, the final say rests with the board.
無論團隊決定如何運用這筆獎金，最終決定權在董事會手上。
Try how you might, the puzzle will still take hours to solve completely.
無論你怎麼嘗試，這個謎題仍然要好幾個小時才能完全解開。
How you look at the problem, the answer will still be the same.
無論你從哪個角度看這個問題，答案到頭來都是一樣的。
- no matter how
more common in modern English; 'No matter how you travel, the trip takes three hours'
- however
more common; 'However you look at it, the result is the same'
文法句型
how + clause + main clause (concessive)
用法筆記
This is a formal and somewhat literary construction. The how-clause usually comes first, followed by the main clause. A more common alternative in everyday speech is 'no matter how' or 'however'. The fixed expression 'try how you might' is an established idiom using this pattern.
how — 名詞
1. the word "how" used as a noun to refer to the question or issue of the way somet
做法問題
關於做事方法的提問
the word "how" used as a noun to refer to the question or issue of the way something happens or is done — often paired with "why" in the phrase "the how and the why".
The philosophy students debated the how of human consciousness for three hours.
哲學系的學生花了三個小時辯論人類意識的做法問題。
the how of + noun phrase
Little Apinya kept asking the how and the why of every rule her parents set.
好奇的小 Apinya 對父母訂的每一條規則都追問做法和原因。
the how and the why — fixed phrase
Christopher focused on the how of the project while others worried about the cost.
Christopher 專注於專案的做法問題，而其他人則擔心成本。
Professor Ravindra devoted a whole lecture to the how of the ancient Egyptian building methods.
Ravindra 教授花了整整一堂課探討古埃及建築方法背後的做法問題。
The how of the accident remained unclear even after the investigation ended.
那場事故的做法問題即使調查結束後仍然不清楚。
- method question
more explicit but less natural than 'the how'
- procedure query
formal and limited to technical contexts
文法句型
the how of + noun phrase
the how and the why
用法筆記
Always used with the definite article 'the'. This sense is most frequently encountered in the fixed phrase 'the how and the why', which pairs the question of method with the question of reason.
常見錯誤
2. the specific way or procedure for doing something — the practical method or tech
方法；方式
做某事的具體辦法或程序
the specific way or procedure for doing something — the practical method or technique behind an action, task, or result.
The workshop teaches the how of making traditional pottery by hand.
這門工作坊教的是用手工製作傳統陶器的方法。
teaches the how of [skill]
Once you master the how of the breathing technique, your singing voice will improve noticeably.
一旦你掌握了呼吸技巧的方法，你的歌聲就會明顯進步。
Nia's guide explains the how of planning a budget-friendly trip to Japan.
Nia 的指南說明了規劃一趟省錢日本旅行的方式。
The engineers focused on the how of reducing energy use in the new building.
工程師們專注於在新大樓中減少能源使用的方法。
Before you improve your writing, you must understand the how of your current workflow.
在改善寫作之前，你必須先了解目前工作流程的方式。
文法句型
the how of + noun phrase
learn/understand/explain the how
用法筆記
Always used with the definite article 'the'. Common after verbs such as 'learn', 'understand', 'explain', 'teach', and 'master'. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 refers to the actual method itself, not the question about the method.