1. used to express surprise or mild annoyance
用於表達驚訝或輕微惱怒
Why, look who's here!
哎呀，看看誰來了！
Why, I never said such a thing!
哎呀，我可從來沒說過這種話！
Why Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
why
interjection
快速理解
What does "Why" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Why"?
「why」主要用於詢問原因或表示驚訝、反對等情緒。
- 1
詢問原因
EN: used to ask for a reason
翻譯: 用於詢問原因
- 2
表示驚訝或反對
EN: used to express surprise or mild objection
翻譯: 用於表示驚訝或溫和的反對
- 3
提出建議或理由
EN: used to make a suggestion or give a reason
翻譯: 用於提出建議或給出理由
小提醒：注意「Why not?」在中文裡常譯為「為什麼不？」，但實際功能更接近「好啊！」或「有何不可？」，用於欣然同意提議，而非真的在質問原因。
發音（How to Pronounce "Why" in English）
How to pronounce "Why" in English?"Why" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Why" from YouTube Videos
Why is social media actually dumb.
meiqiii
“one of the main reasons why I deleted Tik Tok, actually two years ago, was the fact that I would scroll on it for like one or two hours and then like sound effects would just be repeating in my head, seriously like I would hear like the same, like exact music in my head, like when I was opening the fridge getting I was like this is so [ __ ] annoying, like literally the same sounds are being pushed to you, the same exact ideas.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Why"?How does "Why" change by context?
2. used to introduce a statement expressing hesitation, objection, or reflection
用於引導表達猶豫、反對或思考的陳述
Why, I'm not sure that's the best idea.
這個嘛，我不確定那是最好的主意。
Why, yes, I suppose I could help.
嗯，是的，我想我可以幫忙。
3. for what reason or purpose
為什麼，為何
Why are you leaving so early?
你為什麼這麼早離開？
I don't know why she didn't call.
我不知道她為什麼沒打電話。
Tell me why you chose this color.
告訴我你為什麼選擇這個顏色。
4. the reason or explanation for something
原因，理由
I never understood the why of his decision.
我從來不明白他決定的原因。
She explained the whys and hows of the process.
她解釋了這個過程的原因和方法。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Why"?How to make natural sentences with "Why"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| why + (auxiliary verb) + subject + verb? | 詢問原因 | Why are you late? (你為什麼遲到了？) |
| why + verb (base form) + ...? | 建議或提議 | Why not try again? (何不再試一次？) |
| why + noun phrase? | 詢問某事物的目的或理由 | Why the sudden change? (為什麼突然改變？) |
| That's why + clause | 解釋結果或原因 | That's why I called you. (這就是我打電話給你的原因。) |
| Why oh why + clause? | 表達強烈的困惑或懊惱 | Why oh why did I say that? (天啊，我為什麼要那樣說？) |
用法說明
How is "Why" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Why"?
why + V-ing 與 why + V 的區別
- why + V-ing 通常用於詢問或質疑一個正在進行、習慣性或一般性的動作或狀態，帶有「為何要...」的意味，有時暗示不贊同。
- why + V（動詞原形）則常用於提出一個單純的建議、提議或詢問原因，結構上更直接，疑問語氣更強。
- 在否定形式 why not + V 中，只能用動詞原形，表示強烈的建議或邀請。
對比例句： EN: Why go out in the rain? You'll catch a cold. 翻譯: 為什麼要冒雨出去？你會感冒的。
EN:Why going out now? The weather is terrible.
翻譯:為何現在要出去？天氣糟透了。
EN:Why not ask her directly?
翻譯:為何不直接問她呢？
EN:Why asking me? I don't know the answer.
翻譯:為什麼要問我？我又不知道答案。
總結建議
一般情況下，提出建議或單純詢問原因時用 why + V，而質疑或評論一個現有行為時則多用 why + V-ing。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Why" and similar words?How to choose "Why" vs alternatives?
why vs how
"why" 詢問原因或目的，"how" 詢問方式、方法或狀態。
why vs what
"why" 詢問原因，"what" 詢問事物、行為或具體內容。
why vs because
"why" 是疑問詞，用於提問；"because" 是連接詞，用於回答，說明原因。
口語用法
How is "Why" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Why"?
引述
用於重複或引述他人剛說過的話，表示驚訝、質疑或尋求確認。 EN: "I'm moving to Alaska." "Why? It's so cold there!" 翻譯: 「我要搬到阿拉斯加了。」「為什麼？那裡那麼冷！」
EN:"He said he's quitting his job." "Why? He just got a promotion."
翻譯:「他說他要辭職了。」「為什麼？他才剛升職。」
語氣強調
單獨使用或重複，以加強驚訝、不滿或恍然大悟的語氣。 EN: Why, that's the best idea I've heard all day! 翻譯: 哎呀，這可是我今天聽到最棒的主意了！
EN:Why... I can't believe you remembered my birthday!
翻譯:哇…真不敢相信你還記得我的生日！
停頓填充
在句子開頭或中間作為語氣詞，給說話者一點時間思考，或緩和直接提問的語氣。 EN: Why, I think we should consider the other option. 翻譯: 這個嘛，我想我們應該考慮另一個選項。
EN:What was the reason for, why, the sudden change of plans?
翻譯:這次計畫突然改變的原因是，呃，什麼呢？
注意：以上口語用法（特別是「停頓填充」和帶有驚嘆語氣的「Why, ...」）主要用於非正式對話或文學作品中的對話描寫，在正式書寫或學術文章中應避免使用。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Why"?What fixed phrases with "Why" should I remember?
why not
Why not + [base verb]?
用於提出建議或表示同意，意為「為什麼不…？」、「好啊」
why on earth
Why on earth + [clause]?
用於加強語氣，表達強烈的困惑、驚訝或不贊同，意為「到底為什麼…？」、「究竟為何…？」
that's why
[Reason]. That's why + [result].
用於解釋原因與結果的關係，意為「這就是為什麼…」、「因此」
why don't you
Why don't you + [base verb]?
用於禮貌地提出建議或給予指示，意為「你何不…？」、「你要不要…？」
the reason why
The reason why + [clause] + is...
用於引導並解釋某事發生的原因，意為「…的原因在於」
why bother
Why bother + [gerund / infinitive]?
用於質疑做某事的必要性或價值，認為其徒勞或麻煩，意為「何必費心…？」、「幹嘛麻煩…？」
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Why"?Which "Why" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×Why you didn't come yesterday?
✓Why didn't you come yesterday?
在疑問句中，當主詞是代名詞（如 you, he, she, they）時，助動詞（did, do, will 等）必須放在主詞之前。這是英文疑問句的基本結構。
×I don't know why he is angry.
✓I don't know why he is angry.
此處原句文法正確，但為常見混淆點。學習者常誤以為 'why' 引導的從句必須用疑問句語序。實際上，在間接問句或名詞子句中，'why' 之後應使用陳述句語序（主詞 + 動詞）。原句正確，此條目旨在澄清常見誤解。
×The reason why is because I was sick.
✓The reason (why) I was absent is that I was sick.
'The reason why... is because...' 是冗餘且不正式的用法。'why' 和 'because' 都表示原因，同時使用顯得多餘。標準寫法是 'The reason (why) ... is that ...' 或直接使用 '... because ...'。
×Why to go there?
✓Why go there? / Why should we go there?
'Why' 後面直接接原形動詞（構成省略主詞的疑問句）或用完整問句。'Why' 後面不接 'to + V'（不定詞）來構成主要疑問句。'Why to V' 可能出現在間接問句中（如：I don't know why to go）。
×Why not we try again?
✓Why don't we try again?
提出建議時，標準說法是 'Why don't we...?' 或 'Why not try again?'（省略主詞）。'Why not we...' 是不正確的結構。'Why not' 後接原形動詞時，主詞通常省略。
×That's why I came here for.
✓That's why I came here. / That's what I came here for.
這是混合了兩個正確句型 'That's why...'（那就是...的原因）和 'That's what... for'（那就是...的目的）的錯誤。'Why' 本身已包含原因，後面不應再接 'for'。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Why"?What are tense/participle forms of "Why"?