чому́
čomú
The Ukrainian word for 'why' is чому́ (čomú). Wiktionary also lists чом (čom).
Meaning: (interrogative) for what reason (adv)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| чому́ | čomú | |
| чом | čom | [t͡ʃɔm] (narrow) |
The word is an interrogative adverb used to ask for the reason or cause behind something.
Which one should you use?
The shortened form чом is used in casual, spoken or rapid speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal way to emphasize the reason behind something, you can use the phrase З якої причини?
How do you pronounce it?
čomú
Did you know?
- In Ukrainian, the word чому is derived from the dative case of the word for 'what', essentially asking 'to what' or 'for what reason'.
- Ukrainian has a specific way of asking 'why not' using чому ні, which is frequently used as a enthusiastic way to agree to a proposal.
- While чому asks for a reason, Ukrainian uses a different word, навіщо, to ask for a purpose or goal, which English usually translates as 'why' in both cases.
Examples in context
- А чому б ні?Why not?This example shows how to use the colloquial form чом.Tatoeba #504735 by aandrusiak, translation #30545 by CK
- Чому я ще тут?Why am I still here?Tatoeba #7976345 by deniko, translation #3737891 by CK
- Ось чому я тут.That's why I'm here.Tatoeba #6586461 by deniko, translation #1779930 by Spamster
- Чому це сталося?Why did this happen?
- Навіщо ти це купив?Why did you buy this?
- 3582 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Olena and Oleksandr are discussing a cancelled meeting.
- Олена OlenaЧому́ зустріч скасували?Chomu zustrich skasuvaly?Why was the meeting cancelled?
- Олександр OleksandrДиректор захворів і залишився вдома.Dyrektor zakhvoriv i zalyshysya vdoma.The director got sick and stayed home.
- Олена OlenaЧому́ нам не надіслали повідомлення?Chomu nam ne nadislaly povidomlennya?Why weren't we sent a message?
- Олександр OleksandrМабуть, вони просто забули.Mabut, vony prosto zabuly.Maybe they just forgot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “why” translations and entries чом, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
