/puʁ.kwa/
Translation
why
Word origin
A compound of pour ('for') and quoi ('what'), literally 'for what'. Both elements descend from Latin, pour from pro and quoi from quid.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- pro + quid
Examples
' ?
Why didn't you come last night?
.
I don't know why she left so quickly.
?
But why are you telling me this now?
' répondu ?
Why didn't you reply to my message last night?
.
I don't understand why the train is late again.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(5)Grammar articles
(5)How to Say Therefore, So, Thus and Hence in French
Reported Speech in French: Tense Backshift (dit que, a dit que)
French Interrogatives: qui, que, où, quand, comment, pourquoi, combien, quel
French Question Words: qui, que, quand, où, comment, pourquoi and the Three Ways to Ask
Reported Questions and Commands in French
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pourquoi: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "pourquoi" (why): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 2.