Word · Frequency #169
whys
原因；理由；缘故
whys is the plural of why.
the reason, cause, or intention behind something
常用于 the whys and wherefores 结构中，表示“缘由、原委”。
- 1.
Reason.
理由。
- 2.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase `the whys and wherefores'
行为或情境背后的原因或意图,尤用于短语“前因后果”中
理由。；行为或情境背后的原因或意图,尤用于短语“前因后果”中；原因；理由
In use
The teacher explained the why of the rule before asking us to memorize it.
It is important to examine the whys behind a decision, not just the result.
Understanding the why can help you solve the problem more effectively.
the whys and wherefores (of sth)
固定短语，表示‘缘由、原委’。
We need to understand the whys and wherefores of the decision.
我们需要了解决策的原因和理由。
the why (of sth)
较正式用法，指原因本身。
The scientist explained the why of the phenomenon.
科学家解释了现象的原因。
Common mistakes
I want to know the why of this problem.
Connections
Collocations
- the whys and wherefores
- 理由和原因
- She explained the whys and wherefores of her decision.她解释了她决定的理由和原因。
- the why of something
- 某事的原因
- We must understand the why of this phenomenon.我们必须理解这一现象的原因。
- the reason why
- 原因
- The reason why he left is still unknown.他离开的原因仍然未知。
Idioms & figurative uses
- the whys and wherefores
- 原因和理由She explained all the whys and wherefores of the decision.她解释了决定的所有原因和理由。
- the why of something
- 某事的缘由He wanted to know the why of the problem.他想知道这个问题的缘由。
Synonyms
Learner notes
Memory Tip
将'why'联想为'外'，外在的原因就是理由。
Context & Register
常用于书面语或解释性语境，语气偏正式。
Grammar Note
作为名词时，常以复数形式whys出现，用于正式场合，如the whys and wherefores。
Pronunciation & Spelling
这些词都以字母'y'结尾且读音押韵/waɪ/（注意'why'的wh-不发音），但注意如'who'、'where'等wh-单词发音不同。
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 5，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.