warum
/vaˈʁʊm/
The English word 'why' can be translated into German using several forms, most commonly warum. Wiktionary also lists wieso and weshalb.
Meaning: (interrogative) for what reason (adv)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| warum | /vaˈʁʊm/ /ˈvaː.ʁʊm/ |
| wieso | /viˈzoː/ |
| weshalb | /vɛsˈhalp/ /ˈvɛshalp/ |
| weswegen | /vɛsˈveːɡn̩/ |
These words are interrogative adverbs used to ask for the reason or cause for something.
Which one should you use?
While warum is the standard form, wieso is often used in spoken German to mean 'how come' or to express a sense of surprise at a reason. The forms weshalb and weswegen are used to mean 'why' or 'for what reason' in a more structured sense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Weshalb is a regional variation used in Switzerland.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using these interrogative adverbs to ask a question, the conjugated verb must follow immediately after the question word.
How do you pronounce it?
/vaˈʁʊm/
Did you know?
- Because warum is built from 'wo' (where) and 'um' (around/for), it carries a hidden sense of 'for what purpose' in its history.
- The word warum has an older relative in German, the word worum, which is used to ask 'about what' rather than 'why'.
Examples in context
- Warum ist es da?Why is it there?This sentence shows how to use warum to ask why something is in a location.Tatoeba #6641849 by Felixjp, translation #2648877 by CK
- Warum tut er das?Why is he doing this?This sentence shows how to use warum to ask about someone's actions.Tatoeba #1690505 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1690467 by Spamster
- Warum kam er her?Why did he come here?This sentence shows how to use warum to ask about the reason someone arrived.Tatoeba #1811940 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1418111 by CK
- Warum haben Sie sich für diese Firma entschieden?Why did you choose this company?
- Warum möchten Sie Deutsch lernen?Why do you want to learn German?
- Wieso (Warum) hast du dich für diesen Film entschieden?Why did you choose this movie?
- 8393 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Felix are talking about a cancelled plan.
- LauraWarum kommen wir heute nicht ins Kino?Why aren't we going to the cinema today?
- FelixDas Kino ist leider heute geschlossen.Unfortunately, the cinema is closed today.
- LauraWarum ist es denn zu?Why is it closed, then?
- FelixEs gibt dort wohl Renovierungsarbeiten.There are probably renovation works there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “why” translations and entries warum, wieso, weshalb, weswegen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries warum, weshalb, wieso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
