曷 (hé) - Why & how
曷 · hé
Why;
how;
when;
interrogative particle used in classical Chinese, equivalent to 'why', 'how', or 'when' in English.
Whyhowwhen
Usage highlights
Why notHow canWhen willWhy soWhat reasonHow about
Usage & contexts
Examples
- Why not go?(曷不往?)
- How can this be?(曷至此?)
- When will you return?(曷归?)
- Why not speak?(曷不言?)
Collocations
- Why not(曷不)
- How can(曷能)
- When will(曷将)
- Why so(曷若)
- What reason(曷故)
- How about(曷如)
Idioms
- Why not do it(曷为其然)
- How could it be so(曷至于此)
- Why not go(曷不归去)
- When will it end(曷其有极)
Cultural background
FAQ- Primarily used in classical Chinese texts and poetry as an interrogative particle.
- Appears frequently in ancient philosophical works like the Analects and Book of Songs.
- Modern usage is rare except in literary or formal contexts.