waarom
/ʋaːˈrɔm/
The Dutch word for why is waarom.
waarom is an interrogative adverb used to ask for a reason. It can also function as a noun meaning 'the reason'.
Meaning: (interrogative) for what reason (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word waarom is a combination of waar (where) and om (around/for), though it functions as a single interrogative adverb.
Which one should you use?
While waarom is the standard form, hoezo is a casual and colloquial way to say 'why', often used to express surprise or disbelief and met welk doel expresses 'why' in terms of purpose or intention.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ʋaːˈrɔm/
Did you know?
- In certain Dutch dialects, you might hear waarom replaced by waarom dan, where dan doesn't mean 'then' but acts as a particle to make the question sound more natural or pressing.
- In very informal spoken Dutch, hoezo can be used as a one-word response to express skepticism, effectively meaning 'Why on earth would that be true?'
- The word waarom is a linguistic sibling to the German word warum, reflecting their shared ancestral roots in West Germanic languages.
Examples in context
- Waarom ben je er?Why are you here?This sentence shows how to use waarom to ask why someone is present.Tatoeba #1482825 by Citrine, translation #1481997 by yethay
- Waarom gaf ze op?Why did she give up?This sentence demonstrates the use of waarom to ask for a reason for an action.Tatoeba #7450879 by MarijnKp, translation #7450762 by Amastan
- Waarom zeg je dat?Why do you say that?This sentence illustrates using waarom to ask for the reason behind a statement.Tatoeba #375901 by megamanenm, translation #36442 by CK
- Waarom heb je deze beslissing genomen?Why did you make this decision?
- Mag ik vragen om welke reden jij te laat bent?May I ask for what reason you are late?
- Met welk doel ben je naar deze bijeenkomst gekomen?For what purpose did you come to this meeting?
- Waarom ben je te laat?Why are you late?
- Waarom ga je niet mee naar het feest? – Hoezo niet?Why are you not coming to the party? – Why not?
- 2375 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sophie is walking away from Daan in the park.
- DaanSophie, waarom ga je weg?Sophie, why are you leaving?
- SophieIk ben gewoon moe, Daan.I am just tired, Daan.
- DaanWaarom ben je zo moe?Why are you so tired?
- SophieIk heb slecht geslapen.I slept poorly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “why” translations and entries waarom, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries waarom, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
