How to Say ‘Why?’ in Japanese
どうして
dou shi te
[doh shee teh]
💬 Usage Tip: [どうして] is common in conversation. It can also mean “how come?” depending on context.
🇯🇵 In Japan: To sound less intense, you can add [ですか]: [どうしてですか] or soften with [よかったら].
Phrase Breakdown
どう
dou
[doh]
how; (with して) why
In どうして it contributes to the meaning “why.” By itself, どう is “how.”
どうして日本語を勉強していますか。
Why are you studying Japanese?
し
shi
[shee]
do (verb stem) in the set word どうして
This し comes from する. Together with どう and て, it makes どうして (“why”).
どうして泣いていますか。
Why are you crying?
て
te
[teh]
-te ending in the set word どうして
Part of どうして (“why”). Common in both polite and casual speech.
どうして行きませんでしたか。
Why didn’t you go?
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