wherefore
gb/wˈɛɹfˌɔɹ/ us/wˈɛɹfˌɔɹ/
C1
Inglés
~ 25600
miért, mivégre, ok, ezért, ennélfogva, tehát, így
C1
ARCHAIC
1
Patrón de uso:
wherefore [verb] [subject] [complement]?
In the old play, the heroine cries, "Wherefore art thou Romeo?"
A régi drámában a hősnő így kiált: „Miért vagy te Rómeó?”
He asked the heavens wherefore such misfortune had fallen upon him.
Megkérdezte az eget, miért sújtotta őt ilyen szerencsétlenség.
Tell me, I pray thee, wherefore you speak in riddles.
The letter begins, "Wherefore should we submit to this unjust law?"
Ejemplos para estudiantes
"Wherefore art thou Romeo?" is an old way to say, "Why are you Romeo?"
A „Wherefore art thou Romeo?” a „Why are you Romeo?” régies angol változata.
In old books, people sometimes say "wherefore" instead of "why."
Régi könyvekben néha a „wherefore”-t használják a „why” helyett.
The poet writes, "Wherefore do you weep so bitterly?"
Error frecuente:
Many learners think "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" means "Where are you, Romeo?" but it actually means "Why are you Romeo?" (Why do you have that name / belong to that family?). Learners should not use "wherefore" in modern everyday English; use "why" instead.
Significado
For what reason; why
Colocaciones
Wherefore art thou Romeo
|ask wherefore
|I know not wherefore
Sinónimos
why (The normal modern word; used in all types of English, unlike the archaic 'wherefore'.)
|
for what reason (A slightly more formal phrase with the same literal meaning.)
Antónimos
because (Gives or introduces a reason, instead of asking for it.)
Temas
literature
|language
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definición
Used to ask why something is true or happens.
For what reason or purpose; why.
SUSTANTIVO
C1
LITERARY
2
Patrón de uso:
the whys and wherefores of [something]
He tried to explain the whys and wherefores of the new policy to the confused staff.
Megpróbálta elmagyarázni az új szabályzat miértjeit az értetlen dolgozóknak.
I don't need to know all the whys and wherefores; just tell me what to do.
Nem kell ismernem az összes okot és magyarázatot; csak mondd meg, mit tegyek.
The book goes into the whys and wherefores of how the financial crisis happened.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
She does not care about the whys and wherefores of the rule.
Nem érdeklik a szabály miértjei.
The teacher talked about the whys and wherefores of the experiment.
A tanár a kísérlet miértjeiről beszélt.
He does everything fast, without any whys or wherefores.
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes try to use 'wherefore' alone as a normal noun meaning 'reason' in modern English (e.g., *"Tell me the wherefore"*). This sounds very old-fashioned or odd today. It is usually only natural in the fixed phrase "the whys and wherefores (of something)."
Significado
Reason or explanation for something
Colocaciones
the whys and wherefores
|no whys or wherefores
|without whys or wherefores
Sinónimos
reason (The most common general word; 'wherefore' is rarer and mainly used in the set phrase.)
|
explanation (Focuses more on making something clear, while 'wherefore' just means the cause or reason.)
Antónimos
mystery (Something whose reason or cause is not known.)
Temas
thinking
|discussion
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definición
A reason or explanation for something, usually used in the phrase "the whys and wherefores".
A reason, explanation, or cause for something, especially in the fixed phrase "the whys and wherefores".
C2
ARCHAIC
3
Patrón de uso:
..., wherefore [clause].
Wherefore, the defendant respectfully requests that the complaint be dismissed.
The parties have reached an agreement; wherefore, the action is hereby discontinued with prejudice.
The court finds the evidence insufficient, wherefore judgment is entered for the respondent.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
In old legal papers, you can read sentences that start with "Wherefore".
Some contracts say, "Wherefore, the parties agree as follows".
Modern writers usually use "therefore" instead of "wherefore".
Significado
Therefore; for that reason
Colocaciones
Wherefore, the plaintiff prays
|Wherefore, premises considered
|Wherefore, it is ordered
Sinónimos
therefore (The normal modern conjunction; used instead of archaic 'wherefore' in almost all contexts.)
|
thus (More formal and literary, but still more common than 'wherefore'.)
Antónimos
whereas (Often introduces a contrast instead of a consequence in formal documents.)
Temas
law
|formal_writing
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definición
An old formal word meaning "therefore" or "for that reason," used mainly in legal or very formal texts.
Therefore; for that reason, especially in formal or legal writing.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
wherefore
AFI
GB/wˈɛɹfˌɔɹ/
US/wˈɛɹfˌɔɹ/
Sílabas y acento
where - fore (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (where)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: wherefore
- Plural: wherefores
Familia de palabras
Forms
wherefores
noun
Related words
where
adverb A1
Expresiones
the whys and wherefores (of something)
1/ðə wˈaɪz ˈænd wˈɛɹəfˈɔɹz əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
All the reasons and explanations
All the reasons and explanations for something, often in detail.
Ejemplos
- I don't need to know all the whys and wherefores of the new system; just show me how to use it.
- The documentary explains the whys and wherefores of climate change in simple language.
- She went into the whys and wherefores of every decision she had made.
Wherefore art thou Romeo?
1/wˈɛɹfˌɔɹ ˈɑɹt ðˈaʊ ɹˈoʊmioʊ ‖/
fixed phrase
literary
Famous line asking why he is Romeo
A famous line from Shakespeare meaning "Why are you Romeo?" (Why do you have that name / belong to that family?), often quoted or used humorously.
Ejemplos
- People often quote "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" without knowing it means "Why are you Romeo?" not "Where are you, Romeo?"
- She laughed and said, "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" when his name appeared on her phone screen.
- The teacher used "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" to explain the old word "wherefore" to the class.
without (any) whys or wherefores
1/wɪðˈaʊt ˈɛni wˈaɪz ˈɔɹ wˈɛɹəfˈɔɹz/
fixed phrase
informal
Without giving reasons or explanations
To do or accept something without asking for or giving any reasons or explanations.
Ejemplos
- He told them to leave, without any whys or wherefores.
- She followed his instructions without whys or wherefores, even though she disagreed.
- The rule was announced without whys or wherefores, which made everyone frustrated.