Daily used word (top 300)
Translation
For what purpose?" or "What for? also Why?
Example: Заче́м ты э́то сде́лал? - Why did you do this?
Info: Think of зачем as focusing on future-oriented reasoning, looking for intent or purpose.
Usage info
Difference in usage between "заче́м & почему́": Think of зачем as focusing on future-oriented reasoning, looking for intent or purpose. Think of почему as focusing on past or present circumstances, looking for an explanation of a cause. Reply with что́бы or зате́м, что́бы.
Examples
- Зачем ты задаешь мне все э́ти вопро́сы?Why are you asking me all these questions?
- Зачем ты хоте́ла меня ви́деть?Why did you want to see me?
- Зачем вы хоте́ли меня ви́деть?Why did you want to see me?
- Вот зачем они у́чат англи́йский.That is what they study English for.
- Зачем ты сожале́ешь о том, чего не сде́лал?Why are you sorry for something you haven't done?
- Зачем Мэри идет на пикник с ним?Why is Mary going with him to the picnic?
- Зачем ты купи́л тако́й дорогой слова́рь?Why did you buy such an expensive dictionary?
- Зачем вы мне всё э́то говори́те?Why are you telling me all this?
- Зачем вы сюда пришли́?What have you come here for?
- Зачем ты туда пошёл?Why did you go there?
Contributions
Singolin edited usage info 7 months ago.
Singolin edited usage info 7 months ago.
Singolin edited usage info 7 months ago.
Singolin edited translation and usage info 7 months ago.