How is…?
We useHow 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 useWhat 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.
We don’t useHow 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?