为什么 wèishénme why?
why?; for what reason?
How to remember 为什么: 为 for + 什 what (in 什么) + 么 question particle = why?.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Why / for what reason': 你为什么不来? (nǐ wèishénme bù lái?) why aren't you coming?
- Answers naturally begin with 因为 (because).
- Word order: 为什么 sits before the verb phrase - 他为什么走了? (why did he leave?), not at the very end like English.
Example sentences
- 为什么？ Wèishénme?Why?
- 为什么不？ Wèishénme bù?Why not?
- 你为什么如此兴奋？ Nǐ wèishénme rúcǐ xīngfèn?Why are you so excited?