заче́м
- 1.
For what purpose?" or "What for? also Why?
Заче́м ты э́то сде́лал?
Why did you do this?
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 волнова́ться из-за э́того?
Why go to all that trouble?
Typical usagePRO
Asking purpose directly
заче́м?
What for?
заче́м э́то де́лать?
Why do this?
заче́м ты э́то сде́лал?
Why did you do that?
With dative: who needs it?
заче́м тебе́ э́то?
What do you need this for?
заче́м мне учи́ть латы́нь?
Why should I study Latin?
заче́м ему́ маши́на?
What does he need a car for?
Focus and discourse particles
А заче́м?
But why?
заче́м и́менно ...?
Why exactly ...?
заче́м вообще́ ...?
Why ... at all?
заче́м же ...?
So why then ...?
Learn
Contributions
nrimanliyev edited translation 2 weeks ago.
Singolin edited usage info 1 year ago.
