why

Primarily an interrogative and relative adverb, or subordinating conjunction, used to ask about or refer to reason, purpose, or cause. Note: 'Why' is not classified as a determiner in modern English grammar. It does not modify nouns directly but functions to introduce questions about reasons, relative clauses referring to cause, or causal adverbial clauses. This entry includes its primary adverbial and conjunctive meanings for completeness.

• 🇨🇳疑问或关系副词，也用作从属连词，表示原因、目的或理由。注意：'why'在现代英语中并非限定词，而是副词或连词。

1. Interrogative adverb (reason) A1 formal

   Used in questions to ask for the reason, cause, or purpose behind an action, event, or situation.

   • Why did you leave early?
   • Why is the sky blue?
   • Why are you laughing?

   🇨🇳疑问副词（原因）

2. Relative adverb (reason reference) B1 formal

   Used to introduce a relative clause that refers to a reason or cause mentioned previously, often following nouns like 'reason'. It connects the clause to a cause-related antecedent.

   • That is the reason why I called you.
   • I don't know the reason why he quit.
   • Tell me the reason why you disagree.

   🇨🇳关系副词（原因指代）

3. Subordinating conjunction (causal clause) B2 informal

   Used to introduce an adverbial clause expressing cause or reason, often equivalent to 'because' or 'since' in informal usage.

   • I stayed home, why I missed the meeting.
   • He was late, why he apologized.
   • She didn't study, why she failed the test.

   🇨🇳从属连词（原因状语从句）

4. Exclamatory or rhetorical use B1 informal

   Used in exclamations or rhetorical questions to express surprise, disbelief, or emphasis regarding a situation, often without expecting an answer.

   • Why, I never expected to see you here!
   • Why bother asking if you won't listen?
   • Why on earth would you do that?

   🇨🇳感叹或反问用法

A noun referring to the cause, reason, or intention underlying an action or situation, often used in the phrase 'the whys and wherefores'.

• 🇨🇳名词，表示原因、理由或动机，即导致某个行动或情况发生的根据；常用于「原因和理由」「为什么」等表达中。

1. Reason or explanation B2 formal

   The cause, reason, or explanation for something, often used in the phrase 'the whys and wherefores'.

   • We need to understand the whys and wherefores of the decision.
   • She explained the whys behind her actions.
   • The report details the whys and wherefores of the project's failure.

   🇨🇳原因

   同义词: accountbasiscauseexplanationjustificationmotiverationalereason

• whys plural form
• whys' possessive plural form
• why's possessive singular form