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заче́м

other word type

Daily used word (top 300)

For what purpose?" or "What for? also Why?
Think of зачем as focusing on future-oriented reasoning, looking for intent or purpose.
Заче́м ты э́то сде́лал?
Why did you do this?

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 плати́ть, если можно получи́ть э́то бесплатно?Why pay when you can get it for free?

Меланхо́лия для пси́хов и приду́рков; вот зачем ну́жен алкого́ль и же́нщины.Melancholy is for crazies and morons, that's what alcohol and women are for.

Зачем ты купи́л цветы́?Why did you buy flowers?

Не понима́ю, зачем тебе э́то.I don't understand why you want it.

Зачем ты де́лаешь э́то?Why are you doing this?

Зачем тебе ме́лочь?Why do you need change?

Зачем нужны́ друзья́?What are friends for?

Зачем ты купи́л цвето́к?Why did you buy a flower?

Я не зна́ю, зачем я э́то сде́лал.I don't know why I did that.

Зачем Вы прие́хали в Япо́нию?Why did you come to Japan?

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Contributions

Singolin edited usage info 1 year ago.
Singolin edited usage info 1 year ago.
Singolin edited usage info 1 year ago.
Singolin edited translation and usage info 1 year ago.

Other Sources (auto generated)

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More about the translations

For What Why also for or purpose what