TongTong
Sign in

为什么 (wèi shén me) — why

Definition

The standard way to ask 'why' for a reason. It can also introduce indirect reasons: '...is because...'. Compared to 怎么 it focuses on reason, not manner; 为何 is the same meaning but formal/literary.

phrase
why

Examples

  • 为什么？
    Jīn tiān nǐ wèi shén me bù lái?
    Why aren't you coming today?
  • 为什么？
    Tā wèi shén me bù xǐ huan nà běn shū?
    Why doesn't he like that book?
  • 为什么？
    Nǐ wèi shén me méi yǒu mǎi shū?
    Why didn't you buy any books?

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 為; 为 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 為 showed a hand holding an elephant; the simplified 为 is a later shorthand.

Open 为 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 什 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 麼; 么 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
幺幺yāosmall, tiny
Sound part声符shēngfú
麻
麻má麼
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 麼 pairs 麻, which gives the sound, with 幺, which means small/tiny; the simplified 么 is a later shorthand.

Open 么 →

Grammar

Appears in
100 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 3.0 Level 2500 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 2.0 Level 31000 Most Frequent Chinese WordsCause, Effect & Logic

Browse more HSK 2 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.