为什么為什麼 wèishénme — why
wèishénme (fourth tone, falling)wei4shen2me5
Traditional: 為什麼
why
HSK 2· HSK 1–4 (classic)pronoun
Meanings
why
Asks for a reason. Like every Chinese question word it stays in the slot the answer would fill — before the verb — and the answer usually begins with 因为.
pronoun
Example sentences
- 你为什么不来？你為什麼不來？Nǐ (third tone, dipping) wèishénme (fourth tone, falling) bù (fourth tone, falling) lái? (second tone, rising)···
Why aren’t you coming?
- 你为什么学习汉语？你為什麼學習漢語？Nǐ (third tone, dipping) wèishénme (fourth tone, falling) xuéxí (second tone, rising) Hànyǔ? (fourth tone, falling)···
Why are you learning Chinese?
Common mistakes
Not quite你不来为什么？
Correct你为什么不来？
Chinese question words stay where the answer would go. The reason belongs before the verb, so 为什么 cannot be left dangling at the end.