干
吗
About
The word "干吗" is formed through the fusion and contraction of the colloquial question phrase "干什么吗" (gàn shénme ma), which literally asks "doing what?" Over time, in spoken Mandarin, the middle character "什" (shén) was dropped for brevity and ease, blending the action verb "干" (to do) directly with the questioning particle "吗" to create a single, fluid unit that directly conveys the meaning "why?" or "what for?"
Example Sentences Hide
你干吗不理我？
你昨天干吗不去开会？
你周末到底干吗去了？
如果没事干吗，我们可以去看电影。
他一直问我干吗这么着急做决定。