почему

Why Question

Level 1Sounds Like počemu

Почему (Pochemu) is the neutral Russian word for 'why'. It asks for the reason or cause of something that has happened or is currently true.

How It Works

1. Function and Meaning
Почему is an interrogative adverb used to seek an explanation for a state or action. It is derived from the preposition по (by/according to) and чему (the dative form of 'what'). It is indeclinable, meaning its form never changes.

2. Sentence Placement
In a neutral word order, почему usually stands at the beginning of the sentence. However, because Russian word order is flexible, it can move for emphasis.

  • Почему ты здесь? (Why are you here?)
  • Ты почему здесь? (Why are you here? - slightly more informal/pointed)

3. Answering the Question
Questions starting with почему are answered using the conjunction потому что (because) to provide the reason. The word поэтому (therefore/so) is used to state the result of a situation, rather than the reason for it.

4. Indirect Questions
It is also used in indirect questions to link a main clause to a subordinate clause.

  • Я не знаю, почему он ушёл. (I don't know why he left.)

Examples (5)

  1. Почему ты не спишь?

    Why aren't you sleeping?

    Word by Word: Why you not sleep?

    A standard question asking for the reason behind a current state.

  2. Почему небо голубое?

    Why is the sky blue?

    Word by Word: Why sky blue?

    Asking for a scientific cause or explanation.

  3. Я не понимаю, почему это так дорого.

    I don't understand why this is so expensive.

    Word by Word: I not understand, why this so expensive.

    Using 'почему' in an indirect question.

  4. Почему вы опоздали?

    Why are you late?

    Word by Word: Why you (plural/polite) late?

    Asking for the reason for a past action that resulted in being late.

  5. Почему он так сказал?

    Why did he say that?

    Word by Word: Why he so said?

    Seeking the motivation or cause behind someone's words.

Common Mistakes

  • Using «почему» when you want to ask about the purpose.

    Different MeaningПочему ты купил цветы?
    Зачем ты купил цветы?

    «Почему ты купил цветы?» is correct, but it asks for the cause (Because they were on sale). To ask for the purpose (To give to my wife), use «зачем».

  • Answering 'почему' with 'чтобы' (in order to).

    Почему ты учишь русский? — Чтобы поехать в Москву.
    Почему ты учишь русский? — Потому что я хочу поехать в Москву.

    «Почему» asks for a reason, so the usual answer is «потому что». «Чтобы» gives a purpose and is the usual answer to «зачем». In speech, people sometimes answer «почему» with «чтобы», but then the answer treats the question as «зачем».

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

почемуLevel 1Why Question

Learn This First

To use 'почему' (why), a learner needs to understand how to form basic Russian sentences with a subject and a predicate, as well as the general logic of forming questions and standard word order.

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Words in This Pattern

почему