The word "怎么" is formed through the historical compounding and grammaticalization of two components: "怎" originates as a contraction and fusion of the early interrogative phrase "如何" (rúhé, "how"), where "怎" (zěn) absorbed the questioning sense, and "么" (me) is an ancient, neutral suffix often added to pronouns and adverbs to form interrogative or indefinite pronouns, lending a generalized, abstract quality. Thus, the fusion essentially combines a core interrogative element ("怎") with a grammatical particle ("么") that softens and generalizes the inquiry, evolving from a more literal "what manner" into a single, unified unit meaning "how" or "why".