Chinese People not only use "为什么" to ask "why"...
Hello, everyone! Welcome to join Silk Mandarin today to solve your Chinese grammatical puzzle.
Today, we're gonna introduce you two types of "why" in Chinese.
There are two types of "why" in the Chinese language.
1️⃣ The first type is 为什么 - wèishénme.
This is a formal word to ask for a reason. People use 为什么 in the job interview and formal Q&A session. You can either put 为什么 at the beginning of the sentence or between subject and verb.
For example:
请告诉我你为什么感兴趣。
Qǐng gàosù wǒ nǐ wèishénme gǎn xìngqu。
Please tell me why you're interested.
为什么你觉得这个更好？
Wèishénme nǐ juédé zhège gèng hǎo?
Why do you think this one is better?
In the cases above, when you ask those questions, you're more focused on getting the answers instead of showing your emotion.
2️⃣ The second type is 怎么 - zěnme. Yes, you're right! This is the word that we normally use as "how". However, it's also quite a common word used as "why" by native speakers.
This is a spoken word to ask for a reason. When you use it, put it between subject and other predicates. Sometimes it even doesn't need an answer as people use this word to show their intonation of complaining or astonishment.
For example:
你怎么总是迟到？
Why are you always late?
Nǐ zěnme zǒngshì chídào?
他的汉语怎么这么好？
Why is his Chinese so good?
Tā de Hànyǔ zěnme zhème hǎo?
These questions are delivering your emotion of complaint or astonishment. Instead of using the serious question word 为什么(Wèishéme)，Chinese people tend to use 怎么 (Zěnme) more in daily talking.
Got it?
Join us next time to explore Chinese grammar in this way. You will definitely make your expressions more native!
In order to serve you better, and to provide you with quality learning anywhere and anytime, Letshuo and Silk Mandarin have joined forces!
Stay tuned for our joint platform Letshuo@Silk Mandarin for a rewarding learning experience with materials and courses from our experienced educators made available to you both OffLine and OnLine.
We hope you will like it and we are looking forward to your feedback.
Scan the QR code below if you want to know more about Letshuo!
If you want to know more about Silk Mandarin's teaching methodology and Chinese courses, scan the QR code below to contact us!
T: 400 803 5300
E: info@silkmandarin.cn
A: SOHO Donghai Exchange, 299 Tongren Road
Floor 6 Room 601
Shanghai
www.silkmandarin.cn