
好词典

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