何故

hégù

adverb #17,464

Meanings

1 what for?
2 what's the reason?
3 why?

Characters

what; which (literary)

Literally 'what reason' - a classical way to ask 'why'

Examples

HSK 3

不知何故，她没有来。

Bùzhī hégù, tā méiyǒu lái.

For some unknown reason, she didn't come.

HSK 5

他何故如此生气？

Tā hégù rúcǐ shēngqì?

Why is he so angry?

Tips

register

何故 is literary/formal Chinese. In everyday speech, use 为什么. 不知何故 (for some reason) is a common set phrase even in modern writing.

Stroke Order

何 hé

故 gù