You use why when you are asking a question about the reason for something.

You sometimes use why in questions without expecting an answer. For example, you can make a suggestion by asking a question beginning with Why don't.

You can emphasize that there is no reason for something to be done by asking a question beginning with Why should.

You can emphasize that there is no reason why something should not be done by asking a question beginning with Why shouldn't.

You can suggest that an action is pointless by using why followed by an infinitive without to.

Why is often used in reported clauses.

Why can be used on its own instead of a reported clause, if it is clear what you mean. For example, instead of saying 'She doesn't like him. I don't know why she doesn't like him', you can say 'She doesn't like him, I don't know why'.

Why is sometimes used in relative clauses with the word reason.

why not? → ¿por qué no?

why on earth didn't you tell me? → ¿por qué demonios no me lo dijiste?

why he did it we shall never know → no sabremos nunca por qué razón lo hizo

that's why I couldn't come → por eso no pude venir

which is why I am here → que es por lo que estoy aquí

why, it's you! → ¡toma, eres tú!, ¡anda, eres tú!

why, there are 8 of us! → ¡si somos 8!

Why did you do that? → Pourquoi avez-vous fait ça?

Why is he late? → Pourquoi est-il en retard?

Tell me why → Dis-moi pourquoi.

I've never been to France. - Why not? → Je ne suis jamais allé en France. - Pourquoi?

the reason why sb did sth → la raison pour laquelle qn a fait qch

She never told me the reason why she left → Elle ne m'a jamais dit pourquoi elle était partie.

She left, and nobody knows the reason why → Elle est partie et personne ne sait pourquoi.

why is he always late? → perché è sempre in ritardo?

I wonder why he said that → mi chiedo perché l'abbia detto

why not do it now? → perché non farlo adesso?

why don't you come too? → perché non vieni anche tu?

why (ever) not? → perché no?

so that's why he did it! → ecco perché l'ha fatto!

the why and the how → il perché e il percome

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