How to use 不怎么、没怎么
Subj. + 不怎么 + Verb
不怎么 before an action says it happens infrequently or to a limited extent. It is a useful way to describe habits without claiming that the person never does the activity. The interpretation depends on the verb: frequency is prominent with repeated behaviors, while other predicates can emphasize a low amount or degree of involvement.
For limited activity in a completed period, 没怎么 is often appropriate. It indicates that someone did little of the action rather than necessarily none at all. Keep 怎么 after the negative and before the verb. With an adjective, 不怎么 usually means not particularly or not very, so the “not often” interpretation should not be applied mechanically.
Examples with pinyin and English
他不怎么爱说话。
He doesn't like to talk much.
我老公不怎么运动。
My husband doesn't exercise much.
我们在家不怎么看电视。
We don't watch a lot of television at home.
我儿子不怎么吃零食。
My son doesn't snack much.
我没怎么复习。
I didn't review much.
What to remember
- 不怎么 often describes a limited habit.
- 没怎么 suits limited activity in a past period.
- An adjective usually gives a degree reading.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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