为什么
why
Structure
主语 + 为什么 + 动词 …？
What it means
为什么 asks “why?”, for a reason: 你为什么学中文？ “Why are you learning Chinese?”
How it is built
Subject + 为什么 + verb …？: 他为什么没来上班？ (Why didn’t he come to work?). It can also start the sentence: 为什么你不去？
When to use it
It usually goes right after the subject, before the verb. Answer with 因为……. It asks calmly; a surprised “how come?” uses 怎么 (h2-10).
Watch out
为什么 is already a question word, so never add 吗. ✗ 你为什么不去吗？ ✓ 你为什么不去？
Examples
你为什么学中文？
Why are you learning Chinese?
他为什么没来上班？
Why didn’t he come to work?
你为什么不喝热的？
Why don’t you drink something hot?
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 9: 看中医 (Traditional medicine)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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