为何 (wèi hé) — (formal, literary) why; for what reason

Definition

A formal, literary 'why' — stronger and more rhetorical than the everyday 为什么, and used in writing or speeches. It is a single adverb (no question particle needed) and is often paired with 不 for a negative tone.

adverb
(formal, literary) whyfor what reason

Examples

  • 为何？
    wèi hé Nǐ yào xuǎn zé zhè tiáo lù?
    Why have you chosen this path?
  • 为何？
    Tā men wèi hé tū rán gǎi biàn jì huà?
    Why did they suddenly change the plan?
  • 为何。
    Wǒ shǐ zhōng bù míng bái tā wèi hé rú cǐ jiān jué.
    I never understood why he was so determined.

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 →

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

The old form of 何 drew a person carrying something on their shoulder. If the carried thing was a 戈, the 人 and 戈 parts together showed that picture.

Open 何 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Cause, Effect & Logic2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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