🇨🇳 How to say

“why” in Chinese

为什么wèishénme
Illustration of "why" in a Chinese cultural setting
A young tourist stands on a crowded city sidewalk, looking up at a skyscraper with a puzzled expression. She turns to he…

Usage note

为什么 is the most common way to ask 'why' in Mandarin. It's neutral and can be used in both formal and casual situations, similar to how English speakers use 'why' for everything from simple curiosity to serious inquiries.

Example

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