why; for what reason
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadverb
why; for what reason
formalA classical, formal, or literary way to ask 'why'. Often used in written texts, formal speech, or rhetorical questions. It is more concise and slightly more archaic than the common '为什么'.
Nǐ你
wèi为
hé何
yī一
yán言
bù不
fā发
？
Why do you not say a single word?
Shì世
rén人
jiē皆
zuì醉
，
nǐ你
wèi为
hé何
dú独
xǐng醒
？
If everyone in the world is intoxicated, why are you the only one sober?
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Gōng公
sī司
wèi为
hé何
tū突
rán然
xuān宣
bù布
le了
zhè这
ge个
jué决
dìng定
？
Why did the company suddenly announce this decision?
Tā他
lí离
kāi开
de的
yuán缘
yóu由
，
zhì至
jīn今
wú无
rén人
zhī知
xiǎo晓
wèi为
hé何
。
The reason for his departure remains unknown.