爲啥物
ūi-siánn-mi̍h
The Hokkien word for "why" is 爲啥物 (ūi-siánn-mi̍h).
爲啥物 is used as an interrogative adverb to ask for the reason or cause for something, translating to "for what reason."
Meaning: (interrogative) for what reason (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 爲 (for/because of), 啥 (what) and 物 (thing/object), literally meaning "for what thing".
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ūi-siánn-mi̍h.
Did you know?
- In many Hokkien-speaking communities, 爲啥物 is frequently swapped for the phrase 做啥 ('do what'), which functions identically to 'why' in a sentence.
- If you use the phrase 爲啥物 with an aggressive tone, it can shift from a genuine inquiry about a reason to a blunt, confrontational 'What is your problem?'
- The character 物 means 'thing' or 'object', reflecting a linguistic habit in Hokkien where abstract questions are often framed as if searching for a physical object.
Examples in context
- 你爲啥物袂去上學？lí bî siá-mih bē khì siāng-ha̍k?Why aren't you going to school?
Example conversation
Meiling and Zhiming are talking about a missed appointment.
- 志明 Chi-ming美玲，你爲啥物無接電話？Bí-lîng, lí uì-siá-mi̍h bô tsiē tiān-uá?Meiling, why didn't you answer the phone?
- 美玲 Mei-ling我的手機沒電了。guá-ê sǐ-kì bô tiàn-liáu.My phone ran out of battery.
- 志明 Chi-ming你應該早一點充電。lí Êng-kai tsá-it-tiám tsiung-tiàn.You should have charged it earlier.
- 美玲 Mei-ling對不起，我忘了。tuì-put-kì, guá uài-liáu.I'm sorry, I forgot.
