{"id":106375,"date":"2023-06-20T10:25:43","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T14:25:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/why-in-japanese\/"},"modified":"2025-01-12T23:56:23","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T04:56:23","slug":"why-in-japanese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/japanese\/why-in-japanese\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Ways to Ask \u201cWhy\u201d in Japanese Without Losing Face"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a foreigner learning Japanese<\/a>, you were probably first taught that \u201cwhy\u201d in Japanese is\u00a0\u3069\u3046\u3057\u3066 (doushite)<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em>\u00a0But do you know that there are different ways to ask “why” in Japanese, ranging from formal to informal?\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t want to sound like a whiny child or a clueless employee, it is important to learn the right way to ask “why” in Japanese. By the end of this article, you\u2019ll have learned how to use the appropriate version depending on the context.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"why<\/a><\/p>\n

1. \u306a\u305c (naze)<\/em><\/h2>\n

You use this phrase in formal writing and speech, such as essays, books<\/a>, magazines, websites, reports and public speaking. This phrase is rarely used in everyday conversation.<\/a><\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

I took this screenshot of a book cover from Amazon Japan. Here, the author uses \u306a\u305c<\/strong> in his book title rather than \u3069\u3046\u3057\u3066<\/strong> because a book is considered formal writing.<\/p>\n

2. \u3069\u3046\u3057\u3066 (doushite)<\/em><\/h2>\n

You use this phrase at any time with anyone. It is rather informal and soft, and can be used in everyday situations.<\/p>\n

Special note:\u00a0<\/strong>Please do not mix this phrase up with\u00a0\u3069\u3046\u3057\u305f\u306e<\/strong>, which means \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d or \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u3069\u3046\u3057\u3066\u6ce3\u304f\u306e\uff1f
\n(doushite naku no?<\/em>)
\nWhy are you crying?<\/p>\n

\u3069\u3046\u3057\u3066\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f
\n(doushite desu ka?<\/em>)
\nWhy is it?<\/p>\n

If you just want to ask why in a polite way, just add \u3067\u3059\u304b<\/strong> to the end. This is probably the best and safest way for Japanese learners to ask “why.”<\/p>\n

3. \u4f55\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b (nan no tame ni)<\/em><\/h2>\n

This phrase is neutral and rather similar to \u3069\u3046\u3057\u3066\u00a0<\/strong>in terms of usage. Also, Japanese people often use this phrase when they are asking themselves a rhetorical question.<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u307f\u3093\u306a\u304a\u91d1\u3092\u3067\u304d\u308b\u3060\u3051\u305f\u304f\u3055\u3093\u7a3c\u304e\u305f\u304c\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3051\u3069\u3001\u304a\u91d1\u3063\u3066\u4f55\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b\u7a3c\u3050\u306e\uff1f
\n(Minna okane o dekiru dake takusan kasegitagatte iru kedo, okane tte nan no tame ni kasegu no?<\/em>)
\nEveryone wants to earn as much money as possible, but what for?<\/p>\n

\u4f55\u306e\u305f\u3081\u306b\u3053\u3053\u3078\u6765\u305f\u306e\uff1f
\n(nan no tame ni koko e kita no?<\/em>)
\nWhat has brought you here? \/ What are you here for?<\/p>\n

Lastly, you have the least formal of the lot.<\/p>\n

4. \u4f55\u3067 (nande)<\/em><\/h2>\n

You use this phrase in casual settings with your close friends or family. It can sound rough so avoid using it at work and in situations where you want to be polite.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u4f55\u3067\u305d\u3093\u306a\u3053\u3068\u3092\u3059\u308b\u306e\uff1f
\n(nande sonna koto o suru no?<\/em>)
\nWhy do you do something like that?<\/p>\n

Next, here are some alternative phrases you can use, especially in the work context, to emphasize on wanting to learn the reasons behind something.<\/p>\n

They mean something like \u201cwhat for?”, \u201chow come?\u201d or \u201cfor what kinds of reasons?\u201d<\/p>\n

5. \u3069\u3093\u306a\u8a33\u3067 (donna wake de)<\/em> \/ \u3069\u3093\u306a\u7406\u7531\u3067 (donna riyuu de)<\/em><\/h2>\n

These two phrases are more formal than the other phrases we have covered so far. Even though you can use them in your speech, they sound rather severe.<\/p>\n

Also, Japanese people do not use them that often in daily conversation. Why is this so?<\/p>\n

This is because if you are asked these questions, it sounds as if you are at fault and to be blamed for something you have done. So use these phrases with caution.<\/p>\n

Special note:\u00a0<\/strong>\u8a33 (wake) <\/em><\/strong>and\u00a0\u7406\u7531 (riyuu) <\/em><\/strong>are very similar words (almost the same and interchangeable) so you can choose to use either version. Below you can see an example of each version.<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u3069\u3093\u306a\u8a33\u3067\u6765\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f
\n(donna wake de kita no desu ka?<\/em>)
\nWhy have you come?<\/p>\n

\u3069\u3093\u306a\u7406\u7531\u3067\u3053\u3053\u306b\u3044\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f
\n(donna riyuu de koko ni iru no desu ka?<\/em>)
\nWhy are you here? \/ For what reason are you here?<\/p>\n

6. \u3069\u3046\u3044\u3046\u8a33\u3067 (dou iu wake de)<\/em> or \u3069\u3046\u3044\u3046\u7406\u7531\u3067 (dou iu riyuu de)<\/em><\/h2>\n

These two phrases are very similar to those in Point 5 above and are used in the same types of situations.<\/p>\n

Look at the first two examples below in particular. Can you tell that there is an element of finger-pointing and perceived wrong-doing floating ominously in the subtext of the question?<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u3069\u3046\u3044\u3046\u8a33\u3067\u8f9e\u8077\u3059\u308b\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f
\n(dou iu wake de jishoku suru no desu ka?<\/em>)
\nWhy do you wish to resign?<\/p>\n

\u3069\u3046\u3044\u3046\u8a33\u3067\u9045\u523b\u3057\u305f\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f
\n(dou iu wake de chikoku shita no desu ka?<\/em>)
\nWhy are you late?<\/p>\n

\u3069\u3046\u3044\u3046\u7406\u7531\u3067\u6ce3\u3044\u305f\u306e\uff1f
\n(dou iu riyuu de naita no?<\/em>)
\nFor what reason did you cry?<\/p>\n

\u5f7c\u304c\u65e5\u672c\u304b\u3089\u6765\u305f\u3068\u3044\u3046\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306e\u5224\u65ad\u306f\u3001\u3069\u3046\u3044\u3046\u7406\u7531\u3067\uff1f
\n(kare ga Nihon kara kita to iu anata no handan wa, dou iu riyuu de?<\/em>)
\nThis sentence means \u201cWhy did you think that he was from Japan?” or \u201cBased on what reasons did you think he was from Japan?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Culture of Questions in Japan<\/h2>\n

The Japanese typically remain quiet because, traditionally in Japanese culture,<\/a> asking “why” is considered rude and asking “how” is an admission of ignorance.\u00a0And admitting ignorance of anything results in a loss of face.<\/p>\n

From a young age, Japanese people are commonly taught virtues such as \u201csilence is golden,\u201d and \u201cmany words to a fool, half a word to the wise.\u201d\u00a0This silent absorption process is also the key factor in the traditional master-apprentice<\/a> method of teaching and learning in Japan’s arts, crafts and businesses in general.<\/p>\n

It is a learning process that takes place over many years, which sorely frustrates Westerners who cannot see or feel any progress being made.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you still need more guidance on using these words and phrases, it helps to watch Japanese media so you can see how the natives use them in real life.<\/p>\n

One way to do this is through FluentU<\/a>, a language learning program that gives you access to Japanese videos.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \"FluentU\r\n

\r\n