why
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++why1 /waɪ/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb 1 REASONused to ask or talk about the reason for something 为什么 Why are you crying? 你为什么哭？ Why do we have to take all these tests? 我们为什么一定要参加这些测验？ ‘She wants to meet you.’ ‘Why?’ “她想认识你。”“为什么？” ‘I won’t be able to come into work tomorrow.’ ‘Why not?’ “我明天不能来上班。”“为什么？” I have no idea why the television isn’t working. 我不明白电视机为什么坏了。 Simon loves you – that’s why he wants to be with you. 西蒙爱你——所以他想和你在一起。 He’s angry with me and I don’t know why. 他生我气了，我不知道为什么。 There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be friends. 我们没有理由不成为朋友。why on earth/why ever etc (=used for emphasis when you are surprised, angry etc) 究竟为什么〔用于强调〕 Why on earth didn’t you ask me to help? 你到底为什么不叫我帮忙？ ‘I don’t want us to be seen together.’ ‘Why ever not?’ “我不想被人看见我们在一起。”“到底为什么？”2 used to introduce a question that shows you do not think it is necessary to do something 为什么…〔用于引出疑问句，表示认为没必要做某事〕 Why worry? You can’t do anything about it. 为什么担心？这件事你无能为力。 Why waste time going to the bank when you can do it all over the Internet? 全都可以在网上办的事，为什么还要浪费时间去银行？ SPOKEN PHRASES
Examples from the Corpus
Why not• Why do you need carpet in your new store, Bill? Why not cement floors?• This year, Victorine snorted: she and Léonie would have to do it. Why not chutney?• Every other big business has to pay market wages to its workers. Why not college sports?• Q: Why not give up an Aki Berg if you can get a Nieuwendyk?• Liturgical occasions? Why not let the people know?• They also make perfect presents. Why not make a special bookmark for Thinking Day?• Why a fear of turtles? Why not the conventional witch, robbers and monsters?why2 interjection old-fashioned SURPRISEDused when you are surprised or have suddenly realized something 哎呀，嗨〔表示惊讶或突然意识到某事〕 Why, look who’s here! 哎呀，看看这是谁！ And I thought to myself, why, I can do that. 我就对自己说，嗨，我能行的。why3 noun the whys and (the) wherefores REASONthe reasons or explanations for something 缘故，理由 The whys and the wherefores of these procedures need to be explained. 需要对这些手续的缘由作出解释。ask reason or for Corpus to the talk something used about
why
why1 S1 W1 /waɪ/ 
adverb
1. used to ask or talk about the reason for something:
Why are you crying?
Why do we have to take all these tests?
‘She wants to meet you.’ ‘Why?’
‘I won’t be able to come into work tomorrow.’ ‘Why not?’
I have no idea why the television isn’t working.
Simon loves you – that’s why he wants to be with you.
He’s angry with me and I don’t know why.
There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be friends.
why on earth/why ever etc (=used for emphasis when you are surprised, angry etc)
Why on earth didn’t you ask me to help?
‘I don’t want us to be seen together.’ ‘Why ever not?’
2. used to introduce a question that shows you do not think it is necessary to do something:
Why worry? You can’t do anything about it.
Why waste time going to the bank when you can do it all over the Internet?
SPOKEN PHRASES
3. why not? used to say that you agree with a suggestion:
‘We could invite John and Barbara.’ ‘Yes, why not?’
4. why doesn’t somebody do something?
a. (also why not do something?) used to make a suggestion:
Why don’t you bring over a video for us to watch?
Why not relax and enjoy the atmosphere?
b. used to say angrily that someone should do something:
Why don’t you mind your own business?
5. why somebody? used to ask why a particular person has been chosen or is suffering:
Why me? Why can’t someone else drive you?
6. why oh why ...? used to show that you are very sorry or angry about something:
Why oh why did I say those horrible things?
why2 interjection old-fashioned
used when you are surprised or have suddenly realized something:
Why, look who’s here!
And I thought to myself, why, I can do that.
why3 noun
the whys and (the) wherefores the reasons or explanations for something:
The whys and the wherefores of these procedures need to be explained.
| I |
adverb1. used to ask or talk about the reason for something:
why on earth/why ever etc (=used for emphasis when you are surprised, angry etc)
2. used to introduce a question that shows you do not think it is necessary to do something:
SPOKEN PHRASES
3. why not? used to say that you agree with a suggestion:
4. why doesn’t somebody do something?
a. (also why not do something?) used to make a suggestion:
b. used to say angrily that someone should do something:
5. why somebody? used to ask why a particular person has been chosen or is suffering:
6. why oh why ...? used to show that you are very sorry or angry about something:
| II |
interjection old-fashionedused when you are surprised or have suddenly realized something:
| III |
nounthe whys and (the) wherefores the reasons or explanations for something:
◆ There are two main reasons why I think it's the best option: first, there's the cost and second, the quality.我认为这是最好的选择，主要原因有两个：第一是成本，第二是质量。 ◆ I think/believe it's the right thing to dobecause it gives everyone a fair chance.我认为这么做是正确的，因为这给予每个人公平的机会。 ◆ I would choose the newer oneon the grounds that it will last longer.我会选择较新的那个，因为它更加耐用。 ◆ Of the three houses, the largest one seems to me to be the best, because they need the room.这三栋房子中，最大的那栋在我看来是最好的，因为他们需要这么大的空间。 ◆ My choice would be number 3, simply because it's the clearest design.我的选择是 3 号，原因就在于它的设计最清晰。
