why

1. QUEST You use why in questions when you ask about the reasons for something. 爲什麼 (用於提問原因)

Why hasn't he brought the whiskey?

爲什麼他還沒把威士忌酒帶來？

Why didn't he stop me?

爲什麼他沒有阻止我？

2. CONJ You use why at the beginning of a clause in which you talk about the reasons for something. …的原因 (用在從句開頭)

He still could not throw any further light on why the lift could have become jammed. 他對電梯爲什麼會卡住仍給不出更多解釋。

Experts wonder why the U.S. government is not taking similarly strong actions against AIDS in this country. 專家們想弄明白爲什麼美國政府沒有對該國的艾滋病採取類似的強硬擧措。

3. ADV Why is also an adverb. 爲什麼

I don't know why. 我不知道爲什麼。

It's obvious why. 很明顯是爲什麼。

4. PRON-REL You use why to introduce a relative clause after the word "reason." 用在(reason)後麪，引導關系從句

There's a reason why women don't read this stuff; it's not funny. 婦女們不讀這種東西是有原因的：它竝不逗趣。

5. ADV Why is also an adverb. 爲什麼[n ADV]

He confirmed that the city had been closed to foreigners, but gave no reason why. 他証實這座城市已經禁止外國人進入，但沒有給出原因。

6. QUEST You use why with "not" in questions in order to introduce a suggestion. (問句中與)(not)(連用，引入建議) 爲什麼

Why not give Charmaine a call?

爲什麼不給莎梅因打個電話呢？

7. QUEST You use why with "not" in questions in order to express your annoyance or anger. (在問句中與)(not)(連用，表達懊惱或憤怒) 爲什麼[情感]

Why don't you look where you're going?

爲什麼你不看看自己在往哪兒走？

8. CONVENTION You say why not in order to agree with what someone has suggested. (表示贊同某人的建議) 爲什麼不呢[套語]

"Want to spend the afternoon with me?"—"Why not?"

“想和我一起度過這個下午嗎？”—“爲什麼不呢？”

9. INTERJ People say "Why!" at the beginning of a sentence when they are surprised, shocked, or angry. (用於句首表達驚訝、震驚或憤怒) 哎呀 ！[美國英語]

Why hello, Tom. 哎呀，你好，湯姆。