为何

wèi hé

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Adverb Common

Definitions

1. why

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 因为 yīn wèi 因为 yīn wèi because answering reason vs. asking reason: because

Related words

1 item

• 怎么 zěn me 怎么 zěn me how? asking for manner or cause: how?

Synonyms

2 items

• 为什么 wèi shén me 为什么 wèi shén me why? asking for reason: why?
• 何故 hé gù 何故 hé gù what for? formal inquiry of cause: what for?

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Learners often use 为何 as a direct substitute for 为什么 in everyday conversation, but it may sound overly stiff or dramatic.

Formality

为何 is formal and literary, more common in written Chinese than in casual speech, where 为什么 is preferred.

Example Sentences

1 shown

为何 天空是蓝色的？

Why is the sky blue?

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 为何

• 为 为 wéi: as (in the capacity of)
• 为 为 wèi: because of
• 何 何 hé: what