でもどうして？
Demo dōshite?
The English phrase 'but why' is translated into Japanese as でもどうして？ (Demo dōshite?)
This phrase is used to ask for a reason when the speaker is surprised or disagrees with a previous statement.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual settings, you can use でもどうして？ or its informal variation でもなんで？ To make the question polite and suitable for speaking to strangers or superiors, use でもどうしてですか？
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, the question mark or a rising intonation at the end of dōshite is used to indicate a question.
How do you pronounce it?
Demo dōshite?
Did you know?
- In some Japanese dialects, particularly in the Kansai region, the phrase なんでやねん is used not to ask for a reason, but as a comedic punchline similar to saying 'You've got to be kidding!'
- If you use the polite version でもどうしてですか？ with a sharp, rising intonation in a professional environment, you might unintentionally sound like you are interrogating or challenging your boss.
- In dramatic media like anime, characters often switch from どうして to なぜ to signal that they are feeling cold, intellectual or profoundly devastated.
Examples in context
- でもどうして？But why?This example shows how to use the phrase でもどうして？Tatoeba #1057337 by bunbuku, translation #457594 by FeuDRenais
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are talking about a canceled trip.
- 蓮 Ren旅行は中止になったよ。Ryokou wa chuushi ni natta yo.The trip has been canceled.
- 結衣 Yuiえっ、でもどうして？E, demo doushite?What, but why?
- 蓮 Ren天気が悪いみたいだ。Tenki ga warui mitai da.It looks like the weather is bad.
- 結衣 Yuiそれは残念だね。Sore wa zannen da ne.That's too bad.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
