なぜ

• Reading: なぜ
• Romaji: naze
• Pronunciation: /na.ze/

Meaning

Why; how; for what reason. A question word for asking about causes and reasons.

More formal than どうして and much more formal than なんで. Appropriate in writing, speeches, and polite conversation. Often followed by か or でしょうか for politeness. The kanji form 何故 literally means 'what reason.' Commonly appears in the construction なぜなら (because/the reason is).

Examples

1. なぜ遅れたんですか。 Why were you late?
2. なぜ日本語を勉強していますか。 Why are you studying Japanese?
3. なぜこの仕事を選びましたか。 Why did you choose this job?

Usage Guide

Context: questions, reasoning, formal conversation

Tone: inquisitive

Origin & History

Composed of 何 (na, what) and the particle ぜ, an emphatic or questioning particle from classical Japanese. The kanji 何故 literally reads 'what cause/reason.'

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal