How is …? or What is … like?
How is …?
We use How is …? to ask about someone’s general health or about the condition or state of something, or how people experience something:
A:
How’syour mother these days? (How is her general health?)
B:
Oh, she’s fine, thanks.
[talking about an old house]
A:
Howare the walls in the kitchen? (What is the condition/state of the walls?)
B:
Well, they need redecorating really.
A:
How’syour new car?
B:
Wonderful. It’s so much easier to drive than the old one.
What is … like?
We use What is … like? to ask for a description of someone or something (e.g. their appearance, their character, their behaviour):
A:
What’sher new houselike?
B:
It’s a modern one, quite big, with a nice garden.
A:
What’syour new teacherlike?
B:
He’s nice. He’s very good-looking! But he’s quite strict.
Warning:
We don’t use How is … like? to ask for a description of something:
A:
Have you ever had Korean kimchi?
B:
No. What’sitlike?
A:
Well, it’s sort of spicy fermented vegetables, cabbage and things.
Not: How is it like?
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