How common it is
为什么 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say wèishénme slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
为什么用来询问原因。例如，当你想知道某件事情的原因时，可以使用为什么。
wèishénme lái yòng wènshì yuányīn。rúkě，nǐ kěyǐ yòng wèishénme kěngzhǔng suǒ zhǎng de yuányīn。
为什么 is used to ask for reasons. For example, when you want to know the reason behind something, you can use 为什么.
Context note
为什么常见于日常对话中，比如询问原因、解释情况等场合。
wèishénme jìncān yú rìyá huàhuà zhōng，bǐrú xúnwen yuányīn、shěnshì kuàngchǎng děng chǎnhào。
为什么 is commonly found in daily conversations, such as asking for reasons or explaining situations.
5 examples
妈妈，我为什么不能去公园玩？
mā ma， wǒ wèi shén me bù néng qù gōng yuán wán？
Mom, why can't I go to the park to play?
他为什么不来参加聚会呢？
tā wèi shén me bù lái cān jiā jù huì ne？
Why isn't he coming to the party?
这个玩具多少钱？我为什么买不起？
zhè ge wán jù duō shǎo qián？ wǒ wèi shén me mǎi bù qǐ？
How much does this toy cost? Why can't I afford it?
你为什么喜欢吃巧克力？
nǐ wèi shén me xǐ huan chī qiǎo kè lì？
Why do you like to eat chocolate so much?
他为什么总是迟到呢？
tā wèi shén me zǒng shì chí dào ne？
Why is he always late?
5 mini stories
小明问妈妈，为什么今天不能去公园。妈妈说因为天气不好。
xiǎo míng wèn mā ma， wèi shén me jīn tiān bù néng qù gōng yuán。 mā ma shuō yīn wèi tiān qì bù hǎo。
Xiaoming asked his mom why they couldn't go to the park today. Mom said it was because of bad weather.
小红问爸爸，为什么不能吃太多糖。爸爸说因为吃太多糖对牙齿不好。
xiǎo hóng wèn bà bà， wèi shén me bù néng chī tài duō táng。 bà ba shuō yīn wèi chī tài duō táng duì yá chǐ bù hǎo。
Xiaohong asked her dad why she couldn't eat too much candy. Dad said it's because eating too much is bad for teeth.
小华问老师，为什么作业要做这么多。老师说是为了学习更多知识。
xiǎo huá wèn lǎo shī， wèi shén me zuò yè yào zuò zhè me duō。 lǎo shī shuō shì wèi le xué xí gèng duō zhī shi。
Xiaohua asked his teacher why there was so much homework. The teacher said it was to learn more knowledge.
小丽问朋友，为什么喜欢看动画片。朋友说因为有趣。
xiǎo lì wèn péng yǒu， wèi shén me xǐ huan kàn dòng huà piàn。 péng yǒu shuō yīn wèi yǒu qù。
Xiaoli asked her friend why she likes watching cartoons. Her friend said because they are fun.
小强问奶奶，为什么不能熬夜。奶奶说因为熬夜对身体不好。
xiǎo qiáng wèn nǎi nai， wèi shén me bù néng áo yè。 nǎi nai shuō yīn wèi áo yè duì shēn tǐ bù hǎo。
Xiaoqiang asked his grandma why he couldn't stay up late. Grandma said it's because staying up late is bad for health.