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How to Say ‘What's up?’ in Traditional Chinese

怎麼了?

zěn me le

[dzumm uh le]

🇹🇼 In Taiwan: Depending on tone, this is a friendly "what's up?" or a concerned "what's wrong?". Answering a polite interruption with it signals you're happy to help.

Phrase Breakdown

怎麼

zěn me

[dzumm uh]

how; what’s wrong

Can ask about method ('how') or, in context, what the issue is.

Example

你怎麼突然改這條路?

Why did you suddenly change to this road?

了

le

[le]

particle

A particle indicating a change of state or situation.

Example

他走了。

He has left.

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