Level A1 (beginner)
Today’s lesson covers the A1 beginner level word pourquoi, meaning “why”. Pourquoi combines the two words pour (for) and quoi (what). This lesson provides pronunciation, audio and examples.
Pronunciation
Example sentences
Pronunciation
Example sentences
For this first sentence, pourquoi is being used as an adverb to ask why or provide a reason.
Pourquoi faut-il maîtriser tous les temps des verbes ?
Why is it necessary to master all the verb tenses?
This sentence uses pourquoi in the context of the interjection “pourquoi pas !” (why not!)
Tu veux commander un dessert ? Oui, pourquoi pas !
Do you want to order a desssert? Yes, why not!
In this sentence le pourquoi appears as a noun, meaning “the why”.
Je ne comprends pas ni le pourquoi ni le comment de cette histoire.
I don’t understand the why or the how of this story
Note that pourquoi can also be a conjunction. For example, Je ne comprends pas pourquoi elle rit (I don’t understand why she’s laughing).
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