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March 24, 2026
为什么(為什麼)wèishénme(wei4shen2me5)
为什么 (wèi shén me) is a question word that translates to 'why' in English. It is commonly used to inquire about reasons or causes behind actions, events, or situations. This phrase is essential for asking for explanations in both casual and formal contexts.
Strokes11Frequency#86DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
Asking '为什么' is a common practice in Chinese culture, reflecting a deep-rooted value placed on understanding and reasoning. It is often used in educational contexts where students are encouraged to explore the reasons behind concepts and events.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person scratching their head in confusion, asking 'Why?' while pointing at a giant question mark (represented by '为什么'). The character 为 (wèi) suggests 'for' (like 'for the sake of'), while 什么 (shén me) means 'what', together forming the essence of questioning 'for what reason?'.
Meanings of 为什么
wèishénme(wei4shen2me5)
1why?
2for what reason?
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 为什么
为什么Simplified
為什麼Traditional
11Strokes
—Radical
代词dàicípronoun (pron.)Part of Speech
#86Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 为什么
Podcast: 为什么
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AI Study Notes for 为什么
Usage Notes
Be careful with the tonal pronunciation; the tones are crucial in Mandarin. This phrase is typically used in informal conversations but can also be appropriate in formal settings when seeking clarification. Common collocations include '你为什么' (nǐ wèi shén me, 'why do you...') and '为什么不' (wèi shén me bù, 'why not...').
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 为什么 connects with other question words like '什么' (shén me, 'what') and '谁' (shéi, 'who'). Focus on practicing it in various sentence structures to build confidence in forming questions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 为什么 by neglecting the tones, saying 'wei shen me' instead of the correct 'wèi shén me'. Additionally, some might confuse it with '怎么' (zěn me, 'how'), which asks about the manner rather than the reason.
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Pronunciation of 为什么
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为什么 (wèi shén me) is a question word that translates to 'why' in English. It is commonly used to inquire about reasons or causes behind actions, events, or situations. This phrase is essential for asking for explanations in both casual and formal contexts.
When to use 为什么
Be careful with the tonal pronunciation; the tones are crucial in Mandarin. This phrase is typically used in informal conversations but can also be appropriate in formal settings when seeking clarification. Common collocations include '你为什么' (nǐ wèi shén me, 'why do you...') and '为什么不' (wèi shén me bù, 'why not...').
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 为什么 by neglecting the tones, saying 'wei shen me' instead of the correct 'wèi shén me'. Additionally, some might confuse it with '怎么' (zěn me, 'how'), which asks about the manner rather than the reason.
Write 为什么
为
什
么
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Grammar Patterns of 为什么
为什么 functions as a pronoun — it stands in for a noun. Use it in the same positions as nouns (subject before verb, object after). Plurals are formed by adding 们 (我们, 他们). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
