pronunciation note: The conjunction is pronounced (haʊ).
1. adverb
You use how to ask about the way in which something happens or is done.
How do I make payments into my account?
How do you manage to keep the place so tidy?
The law, your contracts, your public protect you, do they? How?
How are you going to plan for the future?
How is also a conjunction.
I don't want to know how he died.
Did you ever wonder how the top supermodels manage to look stunning?
I didn't know how to tell you.
2. conjunction
You use how after certain adjectives and verbs to introduce a statement or fact, often something that you remember or expect other people to know about.
It's amazing how people collect so much stuff over the years.
It's funny how I never seem to get a thing done on my day off.
It's important to become acutely aware of how your eating ties in with your stresslevel.
3. adverb
You use how to ask questions about the quantity or degree of something.
How much money are we talking about?
How many full-time staff have we got?
How long will you be staying?
How old is your son now?
How fast were you driving?
How difficult is it to do business with the company?
'How well do you know Mrs. O'Toole?' Ryan asked.
No-one knows how many people have been killed since the war began.
He was asked how serious the situation had become.
4. adverb
You use how when you are asking someone whether something was successful or enjoyable.
How was your trip down to Orlando?
How did your date go?
Tell me about your clinical trials. How did they go?
Tell me how everything went off tonight.
I wonder how Sam got on with him.
5. adverb
You use how to ask about someone's health or to find out someone's news.
Hi! How are you doing?
How's Rosie?
How's the job?
She asked how he had been feeling.
Susan introduced herself to him and asked him how he was.
6. convention
'How do you do' is a polite way of greeting someone when you meet them for the first time.
[formulae]
'How do you do, Mrs Bellingham,' Sam said.
7. subordinating conjunction
You use how when you want to say that it does not matter which way something is done.
[informal]
Two historical questions–you can answer them how you like.
It's your life, so live it how you want!
8. adverb [ADVERB adjective/adverb]
You use how to emphasize the degree to which something is true.
[emphasis]
I didn't realize how heavy that shopping was going to be.
Franklin told them all how happy he was to be in Britain again.
9. adverb
You use how in exclamations to emphasize an adjective, adverb, or statement.
[emphasis]
How strange that something so simple as a walk on the beach could suddenly mean somuch.
How anxiously she awaited my answer.
How she must have talked last night!
10. adverb
You use how in expressions such as 'How can you...' and 'How could you...' to indicate that you disapprove of what someone has done or that you find it hard to believe.
[disapproval]
How can you tell him such awful lies?
How could such a writer be taken seriously?
How could he be so indiscreet?
11. adverb
You use how in expressions such as 'how about...' or 'how would you like...' when you are making an offer or a suggestion.
How about a cup of coffee?
You want Jeannie to make the appointment for you? How about the end of next week?
How would you like to have dinner one night?
12. convention
If you ask someone 'How about you?' you are asking them what they think or want.
Well, I enjoyed that. How about you two?
'Something to drink?'—'No, thanks,' said Michael. He glanced at Wilfred. 'How aboutyou?'
13. convention
If you say 'How about that?' you are drawing attention to something that has been said or done that you think is surprising.
[feelings]
The twins made their appearance at three o'clock. How about that? Spot on time.
14.
See how about
15.
See how come/how so
16.
See how do you mean
17.
See how's that
English Easy Learning GrammarAdverbs and adverbialsWhen you want to add information about how, when, where, or to what extent somethinghas happened, you can use an adverbial. Many adverbials are members ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarExclamationsExclamations are short utterances that you make when you are very surprised or upset.They are not always whole sentences. Sometimes they are more like ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarSubordinationWhen two or more clauses are joined by a conjunction other than and, but, or, or yet,one of the clauses is the main clause; the other clauses are subordinate ... Read more
how in British English1
(haʊ)
adverb
1.
in what way? in what manner? by what means?: how did it happen? Also used in indirect questions: tell me how he did it
2.
to what extent?
how tall is he?
3.
how good? how well? what…like?
how did she sing?
how was the holiday?
4. how about?
5. how are you?
6. how come?
7. how's that for…?
8. how's that?
9. how now?
10. Also: as how not standard
that
he told me as how the shop was closed
11.
in whatever way
do it how you wish
12.
used in exclamations to emphasize extent
how happy I was!
13. and how!
14. here's how!
noun
15.
the way a thing is done
the how of it
Word origin
Old English hu; related to Old Frisian hū, Old High German hweo
how in British English2
(haʊ)
sentence substitute
a greeting supposed to be or have been used by Native Americans and often used humorously
Word origin
C19: of Siouan origin; related to Dakota háo
how in American English1
(hau)
adverb
1.
in what way or manner; by what means?
How did the accident happen?
2.
to what extent, degree, etc.?
How damaged is the car?
3.
in what state or condition?
How are you?
4.
for what reason; why?
How can you talk such nonsense?
5.
to what effect; with what meaning?
How is one to interpret his action?
6.
what?
How do you mean?
If they don't have vanilla, how about chocolate?
7.
(used as an intensifier)
How seldom I go there!
8.
by what title or name?
How does one address the president?
9.
at what price
How are the new cars going, cheaper than last year's models?
10.
by what amount or in what measure or quantity?
How do you sell these tomatoes?
11.
in what form or shape?
How does the demon appear in the first act of the opera?
How does the medication come?
12. See and how!
13. See Here's how
14. See how come?
15. See how so?
conjunction
16.
the manner or way in which
He couldn't figure out how to solve the problem
17.
about the manner, condition, or way in which
I don't care how you leave your desk when you go
Be careful how you act
18.
in whatever manner or way; however
You can travel how you please
19. informal
that
He told us how he was honest and could be trusted
noun
20.
a question concerning the way or manner in which something is done, achieved, etc
a child's unending whys and hows
21.
a way or manner of doing something
to consider all the hows and wherefores
22.
a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter H
Word origin
[bef. 900; ME how, hu, OE hū; c. OFris hū, ho, D hoe; akin to G wie (OHG hweo), Goth hwaiwa]
how in American English2
(hau)
interjection
facetious
(used as a greeting in imitation of Native American speech)
Word origin
[1810–20; of uncert. orig.]
how in American English3
(hau)
noun or adjective
Scot & Northern English
howe
Examples of 'how' in a sentence
how
She has spent time learning how to be a good photographer.
The Sun (2017)
The team asked both groups how often they did various online activities.
The Sun (2017)
The club is showing that it is very ambitious and people can see how hard we work.
The Sun (2016)
They just tell you how they see it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There was no one to explain properly how to make a jacket.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Who is doing it and how much does it cost?
The Sun (2016)
There is no way of telling how this would end.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We see today in our prisons and adult social care how hard this task can be without causing real harm.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It's affecting all colleagues because it says something about how open we are as a country.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Which all makes sense when you think how often some of them fly in and out.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
People wonder how you can spend that much.
The Sun (2015)
So we looked to see how we could lower the barrier to people having a great experience.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Where we choose to live says something about how we see our lives.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Would her sons listen if you explained how hurtful this is for their mum?
The Sun (2012)
We just sat there and talked about how amazing this was.
The Sun (2011)
We also learned much about how to search for a pastor.
Christianity Today (2000)
They care about how you are getting along.
The Sun (2016)
It depends how the lights are hitting you and how the drinks are hitting you.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The key question has been how far the problems have spread beyond rarefied banking circles.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Well how far do you want to take it?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They should be aware of how damaging this speculation is.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You know how twins have their own language?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You judge players like that when the big games come around and how they influence them.
The Sun (2010)
You have to think hard about how you present yourself.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Something like that happens and you remember how lucky you are.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You stay calm and businesslike no matter how fast things change at work.
The Sun (2008)
Think about how the place made you feel.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We are a wealthy country when it comes to how many times we say that lessons must be learnt.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She told how being First Lady was easier than her former career as a model.
The Sun (2011)
In other languages
how
British English: how /haʊ/ ADVERB
in what way You use the word how when you ask about the way that something happens or the way that you do something.
How do you spell your name?
American English: how
Arabic: كَيْفَ
Brazilian Portuguese: como
Chinese: 如何
Croatian: kako
Czech: jak
Danish: hvordan
Dutch: hoe
European Spanish: cómo
Finnish: miten
French: comment
German: wie
Greek: πώς
Italian: come
Japanese: どのように
Korean: 어떻게
Norwegian: hvordan
Polish: jak
European Portuguese: como
Romanian: cum
Russian: как
Latin American Spanish: cómo
Swedish: hur
Thai: อย่างไร
Turkish: nasıl
Ukrainian: як
Vietnamese: bằng cách nào
British English: how /haʊ/ ADVERB
asking about number or amount You use how when you ask about an amount.
How many people were at the party?
American English: how
Arabic: كَمْ
Brazilian Portuguese: quanto, quantos
Chinese: 多少
Croatian: koliko
Czech: kolik
Danish: hvor
Dutch: hoe
European Spanish: cuánto
Finnish: kuinka
French: de quelle
German: wieviel
Greek: πόσο
Italian: quanto
Japanese: どのくらい
Korean: 얼마나
Norwegian: hvor
Polish: ile
European Portuguese: quanto
Romanian: cât
Russian: сколько
Latin American Spanish: cuánto
Swedish: hur
Thai: เท่าใด
Turkish: kaç
Ukrainian: скільки
Vietnamese: bao nhiêu
All related terms of 'how'
how's
how is
as how
that
how do
→ another name for how do you do
how so?
how does it happen to be so? why?
how-to
(of a book or guide ) giving basic instructions to the lay person on how to do or make something, esp as a hobby or for practical purposes
how far?
to what extent , distance, or degree?
how now?
what is the meaning of this?
and how!
very much so!
how about?
You use how about to introduce a new subject which you think is relevant to the conversation you have been having.
how come?
what is the reason that?
know-how
Know-how is knowledge of the methods or techniques of doing something, especially something technical or practical .
here's how!
(as a toast ) good health !
how's that?
If you say ' How's that? ' to someone, you are asking whether something is acceptable or satisfactory .
how are you?
what is your state of health ?
how dare you
You say ' how dare you ' when you are very shocked and angry about something that someone has done .
how d'ye do
→ another name for how do you do
how's tricks?
how are you?
how do you do?
a conventional formula when being introduced
how come/how so
You ask ' How come ? ' or ' How so? ' when you are surprised by something and are asking why it happened or was said .
how do you mean
If you say ' How do you mean? ' to someone, you are asking them to explain or give more details of what they have just said .
how's that for…?
is this satisfactory as regards…?
mind how you go
Some people say ' Mind how you go ' when they are saying goodbye to someone who is leaving .
how's-your-father
sexual intercourse
how the land lies
the prevailing conditions or state of affairs
how the wind blows
what appears probable
how are you keeping?
how are you?
I don't know how/what
You use I don't know in expressions which indicate criticism of someone's behaviour . For example , if you say that you do not know how someone can do something, you mean that you cannot understand or accept them doing it.
what/how/why the devil
When you want to emphasize how annoyed or surprised you are, you can use an expression such as what the devil , how the devil, or why the devil .
how the other half lives
used for describing the lives of people who are very different from you, for example very rich or very poor , or living in a different country
I know (how you feel, etc)
You use ' I know ' to express sympathy and understanding towards someone.
how stupid/lucky can you get
You can say , for example , ' How lucky can you get ? ' or ' How stupid can you get? ' to show your surprise that anyone could be as lucky or stupid as the person that you are talking about.
which way/how the wind is blowing
If you realize or find out which way the wind is blowing or how the wind is blowing , you realize or find out what is likely to happen , for example whether something is likely to succeed .
sb wasn't to know/how was sb to know
You can say ' How was I to know ? ', or in British English ' I wasn't to know ', to mean that you cannot be blamed or criticized for something you did, because you did not have enough information to realize that it was wrong .
see which way the wind is blowing
to understand or realize how a situation is developing and use this in deciding what to do
Chinese translation of 'how'
how
(hau)
adv
(in questions) 怎样(樣) (zěnyàng)
how did you do it?你是怎么(麼)做的？ (nǐ shì zěnme zuò de?)
how was the film?电(電)影怎么(麼)样(樣)？ (diànyǐng zěnmeyàng?)
how are you?你好吗(嗎)？ (nǐ hǎo ma?)
how can you be so unkind?你怎么(麼)能如此刻薄呢？ (nǐ zěnme néng rúcǐ kèbó ne?)
"how do you do?" — "how do you do?""你好！" "你好！" ("nǐ hǎo!" "nǐ hǎo!")
how long have you lived here?你在这(這)儿(兒)住了多久了？ (nǐ zài zhèr zhùle duō jiǔ le?)
how much milk/many people?有多少奶/人？ (yǒu duōshǎo nǎi/rén?)
how old are you?你多大了？ (nǐ duō dà le?)
how tall is he?他有多高？ (tā yǒu duō gāo?)
how well do you know her?你对(對)她了解有多少？ (nǐ duì tā liǎojiě yǒu duōshao?)
(in exclamations)
how lovely/awful!太可爱(愛)/糟了！ (tài kě'ài/zāo le!)
(in suggestions)
how about a cup of tea/a walk etc?来(來)杯茶/去散步等好吗(嗎)？ (lái bēi chá/qù sànbù děng hǎo ma?)
how about going to the cinema?去看电(電)影好吗(嗎)？ (qù kàn diànyǐng hǎo ma?)
how would you like to eat out tonight?今天晚上出去吃好吗(嗎)？ (jīntiān wǎnshang chūqù chī hǎo ma?)
(avoiding repetition)
how about you?你呢？ (nǐ ne?)
conj
怎么(麼) (zěnme)
I know how you did it我知道你怎么(麼)做的 (wǒ zhīdào nǐ zěnme zuò de)
to know how to do sth知道如何做某事 (zhīdào rúhé zuò mǒushì)
it's amazing how he always seems to understand他总(總)是如此善解人意真是太了不起了 (tā zǒngshì rúcǐ shànjiěrényì zhēnshì tài liǎobuqǐ le)
All related terms of 'how'
how far?
( in distance ) 多远(遠)？ duō yuǎn? ⇒ How far is the Great Wall from here? → 长城离这里有多远？ Chángchéng lí zhèlǐ yǒu duō yuǎn?
how many
( direct question ) 多少 duōshao ⇒ How many cigarettes do you smoke a day? → 你一天抽多少支香烟？ Nǐ yī tiān chōu duōshao zhī xiāngyān?
know-how
技能 jìnéng
how soon?
多快？ duō kuài?
how annoying!
真是讨(討)厌(厭)！ zhēn shì tǎoyàn!
how are you?
你身体(體)怎么(麼)样(樣)？ nǐ shēntǐ zěnmeyàng?
how dare you!
你怎敢！ nǐ zěn gǎn!
how long ago?
多久以前？ duōjiǔ yǐqián?
how about you?
你呢？ nǐ ne?
how did it go?
这(這)事进(進)展如何？ zhè shì jìnzhǎn rúhé?
how lovely/awful!
太可爱(愛)/糟了！ tài kě'ài/zāo le!
how old are you?
你多大了？ nǐ duō dà le?
how tall is he?
他有多高？ tā yǒu duō gāo?
how wide is it?
它有多宽(寬)？ tā yǒu duō kuān?
how are you keeping?
( inf ) 你还(還)好吗(嗎)？ nǐ hái hǎo ma?
how are you placed?
你有什么(麼)安排吗(嗎)? nǐ yǒu shénme ānpái ma?
how careless of me!
我真是太不小心了！ wǒ zhēn shì tài bùxiǎoxīn le!
how did you do it?
你是怎么(麼)做的？ nǐ shì zěnme zuò de?
how did you fare?
你过(過)得怎么(麼)样(樣)？ nǐ guò de zěnmeyàng?
how tall are you?
你有多高？ nǐ yǒu duō gāo?
how was the film?
电(電)影怎么(麼)样(樣)？ diànyǐng zěnmeyàng?
how are things going?
情形如何？ qíngxíng rúhé?
how shall I put it?
我该(該)怎么(麼)说(說)呢？ wǒ gāi zěnme shuō ne?
so how was your day?
那你今天过(過)得怎么(麼)样(樣)？ Nà nǐ jīntiān guò de zěnmeyàng?