Definition
为何 (wèihé) is a formal, literary 'why' used in writing and serious speech. It's more classical than the everyday 为什么 (wèi shénme) and is not used in casual conversation. Unlike 怎么 (zěnme), which can mean 'how' as well as 'why', 为何 only asks for a reason.
adverb
(formal, literary) whyfor what reason
Examples
- 为何？wèi hé nǐ yào xuǎnzé zhè tiáo lù?Why have you chosen this path?
- 为何？Tāmen wèi hé tūrán gǎibiàn jìhuà?Why did they suddenly change the plan?
- 为何。Wǒ shǐzhōng bù míngbái tā wèi hé rúcǐ jiānjué.I never understood why he was so determined.
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