adverb
why
A1
Warum means 'why' and is an interrogative adverb used to ask reasons in direct and indirect questions. It usually appears at clause start, causing verb-second word order in main clauses. Not reflexive and takes no special preposition. Synonyms: weshalb, wieso. Useful in both spoken and written German.
Examples
Warum bist du spät?
Why are you late?
Der Lehrer fragte, warum die Studenten die Aufgabe nicht bearbeiteten, obwohl die Frist verlängert worden war.
The teacher asked why the students did not work on the assignment, although the deadline had been extended.
Details
Mnemonics
a puzzled face with a question mark
warum ~ 'why rum' (imagine asking 'why?')
Notes
Warum is the interrogative adverb used to ask for reasons.