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.
Appears in
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