why
US
UK why adv: (for what reason?)
SC 为什么 wèi shén me
TC 為什麼
TC 為什麼
Why do you smile that way?
为什么你要那样笑？
why adv: (by what cause?)
SC 什么原因 shén me yuán yīn
TC 什麼原因
TC 什麼原因
SC 什么理由 shén me yuán yīn，shén me lǐ yóu
SC 为什么 shén me yuán yīn，wèi shén me
TC 為什麼
TC 為什麼
Why is this soup cold already?
为什么这汤已经冷了？
why adv: (for what reason)
SC 为什么 wèi shén me
TC 為什麼
TC 為什麼
Maria's angry at me but she won't tell me why.
I have no idea why he did that.
玛利亚在生我的气，不过她不肯告诉我为什么。
我不知道他为什么会那样做。
why adv: (by what cause)
SC 什么原因 shén me yuán yīn
TC 什麼原因
TC 什麼原因
SC 为什么 shén me yuán yīn，wèi shén me
TC 為什麼
TC 為什麼
The car won't start and I have no idea why.
车子发动不了，我完全不知道是什么原因所造成的。
why conj: (the reason for which)
SC 是…的理由 shì de lǐ yóu
I'm tired, and that is why I am going to bed.
我累了，所以要去睡觉了。
why conj: (on account of which)
SC 是…的原因 shì de yuán yīn
I am angry, which is why I am not smiling.
我正在气头上，这就是我没有笑脸示人的原因。
why? interj: (explain)
SC 为什么 wèi shén me
TC 為什麼
TC 為什麼
You're leaving? Why?
你要走了？为什么？
why interj: (indignation) (表示愤怒的感叹词)
SC 什么 shén me
TC 什麼
TC 什麼
Did I steal it? Why, of course not!
why interj: (surprise) (表示惊讶)
SC 嗨，哎呀 hāi ，āi yā
TC 哎呀
TC 哎呀
Do I believe in equal rights for everyone? Why, yes. What a strange question.
你问我相信人人都应当享有平等的权利吗？哎呀，当然了。这还用问吗？
why, the why of [sth] n: often plural (reason, cause)
SC 原因 yuán yīn
TC 原因
TC 原因
SC 理由 yuán yīn，lǐ yóu
TC 理由
TC 理由
They are curious about the why of our decision.
comprehend why vtr: (understand)
SC 理解为什么
SC 明白为何
His family could not comprehend why he suddenly dropped out of school.
家人不理解他为什么突然辍学。
determine whether/what/why/who vtr: (facts: ascertain)
SC 搞清
SC 查清 chá qīng
TC 查清
TC 查清
"We must determine what exactly happened that night," said Inspector Brown.
“我们必须查清当晚究竟发生了什么。”调查员布朗说。
know that, know who, know what, know why vtr: (be aware)
SC 知道 zhī dào
TC 知道
TC 知道
SC 清楚 zhī dào，qīng chǔ
TC 清楚
TC 清楚
Does he know that we've arrived?
他知道我们已经到了吗？
learn who, learn what, learn why vtr + pron: (details, reasons: ascertain)
SC 查明 chá míng
TC 查明
TC 查明
SC 弄清楚 chá míng，nòng qīng chǔ
SC 确定 chá míng，què dìng
TC 確定
TC 確定
After weeks of work, the detective finally learned who the killer was.
那侦探工作了几周之后，终于查到了凶手是谁。
reason why n + conj: (explanation for [sth])
SC 原因 yuán yīn
TC 原因
TC 原因
SC 理由 yuán yīn，lǐ yóu
TC 理由
TC 理由
SC 缘由 yuán yīn，yuán yóu
I couldn't tell her the real reason why I left her.
George is very shy; that's the reason why he never says hello.
reason why n + adv: informal (explanation) (非正式用语)
SC 原因，理由 yuán yīn，lǐ yóu
TC 原因，理由
TC 原因，理由
Arnold refused to participate without giving any reason why.
that is why expr: (that is the reason)
SC 这就是为什么
SC 这就是原因
this is why expr: (for this reason)
SC 这就是为什么
SC 这就是...的原因
It's a very popular restaurant; this is why you need to book a table in advance.
Why not? expr: (why is that not so?) (表示疑问)
SC 为什么不？
You're not coming to the party? Why not?
你不去参加派对？为什么不去呢？
why not interj: informal (expressing openness to [sth])
SC 当然！没问题！ dāng rán méi wèn tí
Yes of course you can come along – why not!
why not expr: (expressing openness to [sth])
SC 有何不可
A: Mum, can I stay over at Jess's house tonight? B: I can't see why not.
Why on earth ...? interj: informal (question: why)
SC 到底为什么...？
why on earth expr: informal (why, for what reason)
SC 究竟为什么
SC 为何 wèi hé
TC 為何
TC 為何
Why should I care? interj: (I do not care)
SC 我为什么要在乎
SC 我不在乎 wǒ bú zài hu
When Mary told me her son is going to Harvard, I said, "Why should I care? He's not my son."
whyever, why ever adv: (emphatic: why)
SC 无论什么原因
Why ever would anyone choose to live here? It's so remote!