为什么

• 拼音: wèi shén me
• 汉字拆解: 为 = for; 什么 = what. Literally: for what?

含义

Why; for what reason. Used to ask about the reason or cause of something.

The most standard way to ask 'why' in Chinese. Can be placed at the beginning or middle of a question. Often answered with 因为 (because). Very high frequency in both spoken and written Chinese. Also used rhetorically to express frustration or disbelief.

例句

1. 你为什么不来上课？
2. 为什么今天这么冷？
3. 我不明白他为什么生气。

用法指南

语境: asking reasons, conversation, everyday

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 你为什么迟到了？(Why are you late?)
• 为什么不试试看？(Why not give it a try?)

错误说法

• 为什么你好 (Don't use 为什么 to greet people — it means 'why' and would sound like you're questioning their greeting)

起源与历史

为 (wèi, for) + 什么 (shénme, what). Literally: for what? — asking the reason.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal