为何

為何

wèihé

adverb HSK 6 #1,120

Meanings

For what — a formal way to ask why.

你为何迟到？

Nǐ wèihé chídào?

Why are you late?

为何没人告诉我？

Wèihé méi rén gàosu wǒ?

Why did no one tell me?

他为何要离开？

Tā wèihé yào líkāi?

Why does he want to leave?

usage

为何 is the formal/literary equivalent of 为什么 (wèi shénme). Use 为什么 in speech and 为何 in writing, news headlines, and formal questions.

grammar

为 has two pronunciations: wèi (for, because of) in 为何, 因为; and wéi (to be, to act as) in 以为, 成为.

为 wéi

何 hé