How to Say ‘Why?’ in Japanese
なぜ
naze
[nah-zeh]
💬 Usage Tip: Direct "why." Softer alternatives exist like [どうして] or very formal [なぜなら] in explanations, but [なぜ] is common in interviews.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Even when asked [なぜ], it’s polite to answer calmly and logically—emotional or overly personal reasons can feel less convincing in Japanese business settings.
Phrase Breakdown
なぜ
naze
[nah-zeh]
why
Used to ask for reasons. In interviews, it often introduces motivation questions (志望動機).
なぜ転職したいのですか。
Why do you want to change jobs?
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