你咋

how/why do you…?

→ 你
phrase Uncommon #9,141
how/why do you…? A colloquial way to start a question, with 咋 standing for 怎么. Depending on context, it can mean “how,” “why,” or “what.”
CH: 你咋知道我在这儿?
EN: How did you know I was here?

你咋一个人走这来?

How come you came here all by yourself?

— 世界 (2004)

你咋知道啊

How did you know?

— Lost in Thailand (2012)

孩子你咋能不录呢?

Kid, how can you not record it?

— 热辣滚烫 (2024)

我知道你咋想的了

I know what you’re thinking now.

— 世界 (2004)

你咋停了

Why did you stop?

— Lost in Thailand (2012)

你咋知道的啊

How did you know?

— Lost in Thailand (2012)

你咋就不懂事?

Why are you being so inconsiderate?

— 世界 (2004)

你咋说不录就不录了呢?

How come you just decided not to record it?

— 热辣滚烫 (2024)

你咋来了?

What brings you here?

— 三峡好人 (2006)

你咋说出这样的话?

How could you say something like that?

— 世界 (2004)

你咋知道

How did you know?

— Lost in Thailand (2012)