どうして

どうして is used to ask why something happens or the reason for an action.

🔹 Basic Meaning

• “why … ?”
• “for what reason?”

🔹 When to use どうして

• To ask the reason for something
• To ask why someone did (or didn’t do) something
• Used in both casual and polite conversation (N5)

🔹 Simple Examples

どうして来ませんでしたか。
→ Why didn’t you come?

どうして日本語を勉強しますか。
→ Why do you study Japanese?

どうして遅れましたか。
→ Why were you late?

どうして悲しいですか。
→ Why are you sad?

🔹 Difference (N5-friendly)

どうして, なぜ, and なんで all mean “why,” but どうして is the most common and neutral for daily conversation.

⭐ The Grammar Summary

• どうして = “why”
• Used to ask for a reason or cause
• Very common and important in N5 Japanese