почему

Russian

Alternative forms

  • поч (poč) — youth slang, Internet

Etymology

Univerbation of the preposition по (po, “according to”) + чему́ (čemú), dative singular of что (što).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [pət͡ɕɪˈmu]
  • (file)
  • Homophones: по чему́ (po čemú)

Adverb

почему́ • (počemú)

  1. (interrogative) why (due to what, on what grounds)
    Почему́ вы говори́те э́то? ― Počemú vy govoríte éto? ― Why do you say this?
    Почему́ он жела́ет ви́деть меня́? ― Počemú on želájet vídetʹ menjá? ― Why does he wish to see me?
  2. (indicative) why (due to what, on what grounds)
    Я не зна́ю, почему́ телефо́н не рабо́тает. ― Ja ne znáju, počemú telefón ne rabótajet. ― I don't know why the phone isn't working.

Usage notes

See also

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