warum
why
Warum means 'why' and is the standard word for asking about a reason or cause. It is neutral in tone and used in both formal and informal German.
Heard in real German videos
Lines where warum was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Warum soll ich das denn machen?Why should I do that?
- Warum hast du einen Rollstuhl, Mandy?Why do you have a wheelchair, Mandy?
- Aber warum liegen sie hier rum?But why are they lying around here?
Example sentences
- Warum lernst du Deutsch?Why are you learning German?
- Warum ist der Himmel blau?Why is the sky blue?
- Ich weiß nicht, warum er das gesagt hat.I don't know why he said that.
Common phrases
- warum nicht?why not?
- warum auch immerfor whatever reason
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers sometimes confuse 'warum' with 'wieso' or 'weshalb'. While they are often interchangeable, 'warum' is the most common and neutral. Use 'warum' when in doubt.
Don’t confuse it with
- wieso — Wieso is slightly more colloquial and can imply surprise or disbelief, while warum is neutral.
- weshalb — Weshalb is more formal and less common in everyday speech.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between warum, wieso, and weshalb?
They all mean 'why', but warum is the most common and neutral. Wieso can express surprise, and weshalb is more formal.
How do you answer a question with warum?
You can answer with 'weil' (because) or 'denn' in spoken German, e.g., 'Warum bist du müde? – Weil ich schlecht geschlafen habe.'