How to Say “In This Way” with 这样 (zhèyàng)
这样 (zhèyàng) means “this way / in this way / like this.” It works as a manner adverb before a verb (这样做, “do it this way”), as a consequence connector with 会 or 才 (你要多说，这样才能进步, “speak more, this way you can improve”), and in the phrase 这样的话 for “if this is the case.”
Why this trips learners up
这样 (zhèyàng) is your everyday word for “this way / like this,” and it does three connected jobs. The simplest is as a manner adverb sitting right before a verb: 这样 + Verb means “do it this way.” 这样做就对了 (“do it this way and it’s right”), 这样握笔更舒服 (“holding the brush this way is more comfortable”).
Its more advanced job, and the real reason this is a B1 point, is as a consequence connector. After describing an action, you open the next clause with 这样 to mean “in this way” in the sense of “so that” or “thus,” and it very often brings 会 or 才 along: …，这样 + 会 / 才 …. 你要多说，这样才能进步 (“you need to speak more, this way you can improve”), 每个月存一点，这样就会有积蓄 (“save a little each month, this way you’ll build up savings”). The 才 version adds an “only this way” flavour: 让他自己试，这样他才会成长 (“let him try by himself, that’s the only way he’ll grow”).
Third, in conversation you’ll hear 这样的话, which adds an “if” flavour: “if this is the case” or “if we do it this way.” 这样的话，你还想去吗？(“if that’s the case, do you still want to go?”). You can spell the “if” out by putting 如果是 in front: 如果是这样的话，麻烦就大了 (“if it really is like this, we’re in for trouble”).
Two things to keep straight. As a manner adverb, 这样 goes before the verb (这样做), not after it. And don’t mix 这样 up with 这么: for the manner “this way” before a verb you want 这样 (这样做), but for a degree before an adjective you want 这么 (这么冷, “so cold”), not 这样.
The structure
Colour key
Each colour marks one grammatical role — and the same colour means the same role on every page in the Lab.
Examples in context
Real-world sentences, easiest first. Toggle pinyin or the translation, tap any word to see its role, or play the audio.
Tap a word to see its grammatical role.
zhèyàng 这样 Pattern zuò 做 Verb jiù duì le 就对了 Verb
Do it this way and it’s right (这样 as a manner adverb).
zhèyàng 这样 Pattern wò bǐ 握笔 Verb gèng shūfu 更舒服 Adjective
Holding the brush this way is more comfortable (这样 + verb, with an adjective result).
měi ge yuè cún yìdiǎn 每个月存一点 Other zhèyàng 这样 Pattern jiù huì 就会 Function word yǒu jīxù 有积蓄 Verb
Save a little each month, and this way you’ll build up savings (consequence with 会).
xiān kàn shuōmíng 先看说明 Other zhèyàng 这样 Pattern cái néng 才能 Function word bìmiǎn chūcuò 避免出错 Verb
Read the instructions first, and only this way can you avoid mistakes (consequence with 才能).
ràng háizi zìjǐ shì 让孩子自己试 Other zhèyàng 这样 Pattern tā 他 Subject cái huì 才会 Function word chéngzhǎng 成长 Verb
Let the kid try on his own; that’s the only way he’ll grow up (consequence with 才会).
zhèyàng dehuà 这样的话 Connector wǒmen 我们 Subject jiù děi 就得 Function word gǎi jìhuà le 改计划了 Verb
If that’s the case, we’ll have to change the plan (这样的话, the hypothetical).
rúguǒ shì zhèyàng dehuà 如果是这样的话 Connector wèntí 问题 Subject jiù yánzhòng le 就严重了 Verb
If it really is like this, the problem gets serious (the explicit 如果是这样的话).
nǐmen 你们 Subject zhēnde 真的 Adverb dǎsuàn 打算 Verb zhèyàng ānpái 这样安排 Verb ma 吗 Question
Do you all really plan to arrange it this way? (这样 before a verb, mid-sentence).
Common mistakes
Why it happens: As a manner adverb, 这样 comes before the verb, not after it: 这样做不对 (“doing it this way is wrong”), not 做这样不对.
Why it happens: For the “if this is the case” sense, you need 的话. Bare 这样 doesn’t carry the “if”: 这样的话，你还想去吗？, not 这样，你还想去吗？
Why it happens: For a degree before an adjective, use 这么, not 这样: 今天这么冷 (“it’s so cold today”), not 今天这样冷. 这样 is for manner before a verb (这样做).
Compare & contrast
| 这样 + Verb (manner: “in this way”) | …，这样 + 会/才 … (consequence: “so that”) | The difference |
|---|---|---|
| 这样做更快zhèyàng zuò gèng kuài | 早点做，这样才能更快zǎodiǎn zuò, zhèyàng cái néng gèng kuài | 这样做更快 means “doing it this way is faster,” with 这样 describing how. 早点做，这样才能更快 means “do it earlier, and only that way can it be faster,” with 这样 linking action to result. |
| 你不该这样说nǐ bù gāi zhèyàng shuō | 好好说，这样他才会听hǎohǎo shuō, zhèyàng tā cái huì tīng | 你不该这样说 means “you shouldn’t put it this way,” pure manner. 好好说，这样他才会听 means “speak nicely, that’s the only way he’ll listen,” where 这样 carries the “so that.” |
Try it yourself
Say “You need to speak more, this way you can improve.” Use … ，这样 + 才能 + result.
你要多说 sets up the action, then 这样才能进步 gives the result. 这样 opens the second clause.
Related patterns
Quick reference card
How to Say “In This Way” with 这样 (zhèyàng) grammar.merrymandarin.com A pocket summary — print it and keep it by your desk.