hwi
The Old English word for "why" is hwi.
hwi is an interrogative adverb used to ask for the reason or cause of something.
Meaning: (interrogative) for what reason (adv)
Did you know?
- In Old English, the word for 'why' is essentially a fossilized version of 'by what cause'.
- The 'hw' sound in hwi was pronounced as a voiceless labial-velar fricative, sounding more like a breathy 'hw' than the modern English 'w' sound.
- While hwi is the ancestor of 'why', Old English speakers often used the phrase for hwon to express a similar meaning, which more closely resembles the structure of the modern word 'wherefore'.
Examples in context
- For hwi ne fixast þu on sæ?Why don't you fish on the sea?This sentence is useful for seeing hwi used in an interrogative context.Tatoeba #7344452 by jimkillock, translation #7344466 by jimkillock
- Hwi biddast þu þas?Why do you ask these things?
Example conversation
Eadric and Wulfrun are discussing a missed meeting.
- EadricHwi ne comst þū tō mē?Why did you not come to me?
- WulfrunIc wæs on wege.I was on the way.
- EadricHwȳ wǣre þū swā læt?Why were you so late?
- WulfrunSe weg wæs lang.The way was long.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
