with what; by what means; why
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesadverb
with what; by what means
literaryUsed in rhetorical questions to ask about the method or means. Common in classical and formal written Chinese.
Lǎo老
xiān先
sheng生
hé何
yǐ以
jiāo教
wǒ我
？
Venerable sir, what wisdom do you have to impart to me?
Shī失
qù去
tǔ土
dì地
，
bǎi百
xìng姓
hé何
yǐ以
wéi为
shēng生
？
Having lost their land, by what means are the common people to make a living?
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Wú吾
hé何
yǐ以
zì自
chǔ处
？
How should I conduct myself?
adverb
why; how come; for what reason
literaryUsed to question the reason behind an action or situation, often carrying a tone of surprise, doubt, or disagreement.
Jì既
jīng经
shuō说
dìng定
，
hé何
yǐ以
biàn变
guà卦
？
Since it was already agreed upon, why go back on your word?
Nǐ你
hé何
yǐ以
jiàn见
dé得
？
What makes you say that? / How do you know?
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Shì事
qing情
hé何
yǐ以
fā发
zhǎn展
dào到
rú如
cǐ此
dì地
bù步
？
How did things come to such a pass?