зачем
Russian
editAlternative forms
edit- зачѣ́мъ (začě́m) — Pre-reform orthography (1918)
Etymology
editUniverbation of the phrase за чем (za čem), from the preposition за (za) + чем (čem), instrumental singular of что (što, “what”). This was originally marked as Saint Petersburg dialect, while in Moscow зачто́ (zaštó) was used as late as the 18th century.
Pronunciation
editAdverb
editзаче́м • (začém)
- (interrogative) why, what for (for what purpose, to what end, with what goal)
- (indicative) why, what for (for what purpose, to what end, with what goal)
Usage notes
edit- Заче́м (Začém), while most often translated into English simply as "why" like почему́ (počemú), enquires about the goal/objective of something. It is quite often used in a similar manner to "what's the point of" (како́й смысл (kakój smysl)). Sometimes it is interchangeable with почему́ (počemú), but other times one is more appropriate than the other.
- The reply begins with что́бы (štóby) or зате́м, что́бы (zatém, štóby), "(in order) to".
Related terms
edit- заче́м-то (začém-to)