好词典

wherefore

UK //ˈweə.fɔːr//US //ˈwer.fɔːr//

词源

源自古英语“hwærfōr”,由“hwær”(where)和“fōr”(for)组成,意为“为了什么”或“为什么”。

adverb

❶ 表示原因或理由,相当于“为什么”或“为何”,通常用于正式或古老的语境中。

“Wherefore did you leave so suddenly?”

(你为何突然离开?)

“He asked wherefore she had not come to the meeting.”

(他问她为何没有来参加会议。)

同义词:why, for what reason, how come

noun

❶ 指原因或理由,常用于正式或古老的表达中。

“He explained the wherefore of his actions.”

(他解释了他行为的原因。)

“The wherefore of the decision was unclear.”

(这一决定的原因尚不明确。)

同义词:reason, cause, motive

常见短语

the whys and wherefores — 指某事的详细原因或解释,通常用于询问或说明事情的来龙去脉。

“He wanted to know the whys and wherefores of the project's failure.”

(他想知道项目失败的详细原因。)