なんで～
nande～
JLPT N5 Casual
Formation
なんで + [phrase or sentence]
Asking the reason or cause; 'why', 'how come'.
When to use
Casual 'why' (なんで遅れたの？). Same sound as なに + で, 'by what means', so context decides.
Explanation
The なんで grammar point is used to ask the reason or cause behind something. It can be translated as 'why' or 'how come' in English. It is a casual way of asking for an explanation, and it can be used with verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjectives, and nouns.
Example sentences
What (Something / Anything / Nothing / How Many)
- なに～nani~N5Asking about 'what' or 'which' in Japanese
- なん～nan~N5Used to form interrogative questions and emphasize the…
- なにか～nanika～N5Indicates 'something' or 'some kind of'.
- なんでも～nandemo～N5Means 'any', 'anything', 'anyone'.
- なにも～ませんnanimo~masenN5Used to express 'not anything', 'nothing'.
- いくつ～ikutsu~N5Used to express 'how many' or ask for the number of…
Corpus examples (60)
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What did you call me for?
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I wonder why the bus hasn't come.
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Why do we need money?
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What made you say such a stupid thing as that?
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Why are you here?
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I'm beginning to understand why you don't like Tom.
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Why are you asking me that?
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Why do you need a chainsaw?
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Why is French so difficult?
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Why should I not do this?
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Why is everybody so busy?
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Why should we learn French?
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Why do I need to learn French?
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Why did you need a knife?
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Why's it so cheap?
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Why's this so cheap?
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Why did you kiss me in the darkness?
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Why is it so dark?
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Why are you eating this disgusting stuff?
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Why did Tom buy another car?
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Why are you with a pig?
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Why are you here alone?
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How come girls are usually easier to talk to than guys?
なんでモテたいって思うの？ 自分を一番に愛してくれる人が一人いれば十分じゃない？
Why do you want to be popular? Don't you think that having one person who loves you the most is enough?
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Why do you drink until you're this drunk?