为什么

wèi shén me

HSK 2Adverb (副)Pronoun (代)

Basic Meaning

adv

The most common and direct way to ask 'why'. Often used at the beginning of a question, similar to English.

why (asking for reason or purpose).

询问原因或目的。

Synonyms:

为何何以

Sentences:

你(nǐ)为(wèi)什(shén)么(me)来(lái)中(zhōng)国(guó)学(xué)习(xí)中(zhōng)文(wén)？
Why did you come to China to study Chinese?
今(jīn)天(tiān)为(wèi)什(shén)么(me)这(zhè)么(me)冷(lěng)？
Why is it so cold today?
我(wǒ)很(hěn)好(hǎo)奇(qí)你(nǐ)为(wèi)什(shén)么(me)选(xuǎn)择(zé)这(zhè)个(gè)工(gōng)作(zuò)。
I'm very curious why you chose this job.

pron

Used as a pronoun to stand in for the reason or problem itself, often in statements rather than direct questions. It often follows '的' or is the object of a verb like '知道' or '明白'.

(that) which; the reason(s) why.

代替值得探究清楚的问题。

Sentences:

这(zhè)就(jiù)是(shì)为(wèi)什(shén)么(me)我(wǒ)今(jīn)天(tiān)迟(chí)到(dào)了(le)。
This is the reason why I was late today.
我(wǒ)需(xū)要(yào)知(zhī)道(dào)为(wèi)什(shén)么(me)这(zhè)个(gè)计(jì)划(huà)失(shī)败(bài)了(le)。
I need to know the reason why this plan failed.
他(tā)不(bù)告(gào)诉(sù)我(wǒ)为(wèi)什(shén)么(me)，这(zhè)让(ràng)我(wǒ)很(hěn)担(dān)心(xīn)。
He didn't tell me the reason, which makes me very worried.

Characters Breakdown

to do

various

suffix