B2 adverb Formal 1 min read

何以

heyi /hé yǐ/

Use '何以' in formal contexts to inquire about the reason or manner, often with a rhetorical flourish.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Asks 'why' or 'how', often rhetorical.
  • Primarily used in formal/written Chinese.
  • Adds a sense of depth or questioning.

Overview

“何以”是汉语中一个古老而常用的词语,其基本含义是“为什么”或“怎样”。它在现代汉语中,尤其是在书面语和正式语境中,仍然保持着重要的地位。这个词语的独特之处在于它能够同时询问原因和方式,并且常用于表达一种略带考究或反问的语气。

询问原因:当你想知道某事发生的原因时,可以使用“何以”。例如:“他为何以如此愤怒?”这里的“何以”就相当于“为什么”。

询问方式:当你想了解某事是如何发生的或应该如何进行时,也可以用“何以”。例如:“我们何以应对当前的挑战?”这里的“何以”相当于“怎样”。

反问语气:有时,“何以”用于反问,强调说话人对某事的不解或不满。例如:“你如此行事,何以服众?”这隐含的意思是“你这样做如何能让大家信服?”

固定搭配:与“何以”搭配的常见词语有“何以解忧”、“何以至此”、“何以堪”等,这些搭配本身就具有一定的文学色彩和感情色彩。

文学作品:古诗词、散文、小说中常见“何以”的用法,如李白的“人生得意须尽欢,莫使金樽空对月。天生我材必有用,千金散尽还复来。烹羊宰牛且为乐,会须一饮三百杯。岑夫子,丹丘生,将进酒,杯莫停。与君歌一曲,请君为我倾耳听。钟鼓馔玉不足贵,但愿长醉不复醒。古来圣贤皆寂寞,惟有饮者留其名。陈王昔时宴平乐,斗酒十千恣欢谑。主人何为言少钱,径须沽取对君酌。五花马,千金裘,呼儿将出换美酒,与尔同销万古愁。”(虽然这首诗没有直接用“何以”,但其中“何为”与“何以”在功能上相似)

正式演讲与报告:在需要表达严谨和深度的场合,如学术报告、重要会议发言等,有时会使用“何以”来提升语言的正式度和思想的深度。

新闻评论:在对社会现象或事件进行评论时,为了增加文章的思辨性和说服力,作者可能会运用“何以”。

日常口语(较少):虽然“何以”在现代口语中不如“为什么”或“怎么”常用,但在某些特定语境下,为了表达特定的语气或模仿某种风格,也可能出现。

“如何”与“怎样”类似,也用于询问方式或情况,比“怎样”更显正式,但不如“何以”古雅。在询问原因时,“如何”不如“为什么”常用。

“安得”多用于古代汉语或模仿古语,表示“怎么能够得到”或“怎样才能”,带有强烈的疑问和期盼色彩,比“何以”更具文学性和感叹意味。

“怎样”主要用于询问方式、状态或程度,与“何以”询问方式的用法相似,但“何以”更偏重于书面语和正式场合。

“为什么”是最常用的表示原因的疑问词,适用于各种场合,口语和书面语均可。它比“何以”更直接、更普遍。

Examples

1

人生在世,何以自处?

formal

In life, how should one conduct oneself?

2

面对突如其来的变故,他何以还能如此镇定?

formal

Facing the sudden change, how could he still remain so calm?

3

此情此景,何以堪?

literary

Given this situation, how can one bear it?

4

“天生我材必有用”,李白诗中之意,何以言之?

academic

'Heaven endowed me with talents that will surely be of use,' what is the meaning behind Li Bai's poem?

Common Collocations

何以解忧 How to relieve sorrow
何以至此 How did it come to this
何以堪 How to bear it
何以处之 How to deal with it

Common Phrases

何以解忧,唯有杜康。

How to relieve sorrow? Only through strong wine (Du Kang).

事已至此,何以复加?

Things have come to this point, how can it be worse?

古之学者,何以治学?

How did ancient scholars pursue their studies?

Often Confused With

何以 vs 为何

'为何' is a more direct and common way to ask 'why' in modern Chinese, suitable for both spoken and written contexts. '何以' is more formal and often implies a deeper or more rhetorical question about the reason or manner.

何以 vs 怎样/如何

'怎样' and '如何' are used to ask 'how'. While '何以' can also mean 'how', it's typically more formal and literary. '怎样' is informal, and '如何' is more formal than '怎样' but less archaic than '何以'.

Grammar Patterns

何以 + [verb phrase/clause] (e.g., 何以解忧) Subject + 何以 + [verb phrase/clause] (e.g., 他何以如此?) 何以 + [noun phrase] + [verb phrase] (less common, e.g., 何以名之?)

How to Use It

Usage Notes

Primarily used in written Chinese and formal spoken contexts. It carries a more literary and classical tone compared to '为什么' or '怎样'. Avoid using it in very casual, everyday conversations unless you intend to sound deliberately archaic or formal.


Common Mistakes

Using '何以' in place of '为什么' in casual conversation can sound unnatural. Confusing its usage for 'how' (like '怎样') is possible, but '何以' often carries a nuance of questioning the underlying reason or justification as well.

Tips

💡

Formal Inquiry Word

Use '何以' when you want to sound more formal or literary when asking 'why' or 'how'.

⚠️

Avoid Casual Talk

Using '何以' in very casual, everyday conversation might sound unnatural or overly academic.

🌍

Echoes of Classical Chinese

The word '何以' carries the elegance and depth of classical Chinese, often found in literature and formal discourse.

Word Origin

The word '何以' originates from classical Chinese. '何' means 'what' or 'why', and '以' means 'by means of' or 'with'. Together, they form a phrase that inquires about the means, reason, or manner.

Cultural Context

The use of '何以' reflects a respect for tradition and a preference for eloquent expression in Chinese culture, particularly in formal settings and literature.

Memory Tip

Think of '何以' as asking 'For what reason?' or 'In what manner?' in a sophisticated, classical way. Imagine a scholar pondering a deep question.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“为什么”是最普遍的问原因的词,口语书面语都常用。“何以”更书面化,有时带有反问或考究的意味,不如“为什么”那么直接和口语化。

在现代汉语中,“何以”较少用于日常口语,因为它听起来比较正式或古雅。但在某些特定语境下,比如模仿古人说话或表达某种特殊语气时,也可能在口语中使用。

“何以”和“如何”都可以问“怎样”。但“何以”更书面化、更古典,常用于询问原因或方式。“如何”也偏正式,但更侧重于询问方法或情况,使用范围比“何以”更广一些。

在阅读古文、诗词,或者在写正式的文章、发表演讲时,使用“何以”会显得语言更典雅、更有深度。它也适合在需要提出一个引人思考的问题时使用。

Test Yourself

fill blank

面对如此巨大的损失,他______还能保持镇定?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 何以

这里询问的是一种令人惊讶的“怎样”或“为什么”,带有反问和不解的语气,用“何以”最恰当。

multiple choice

以下哪个句子最恰当地使用了“何以”?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 古人何以解忧?

“古人何以解忧?”是一个经典的引用,意为“古人怎样才能排解忧愁?”,用“何以”显得非常贴切和文雅。

sentence building

请用“何以”造句,询问某人为何这样做。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 他何以这样做?

“他何以这样做?”是一个符合语法的句子,用“何以”来询问对方这样做的原因,语气较为正式。

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