weshalb
Translation
why, for what reason, which is why
Examples
Weshalb kommst du so spät?
Why are you coming so late?
Er war krank, weshalb er nicht kam.
He was ill, which is why he didn't come.
Grammar Patterns
((Question)) Why ...? Weshalb kommst du so spät?
((Conjunction)) ..., which is why ... Er war krank, weshalb er nicht kam.
Similar Words
Synonyms: warum, wieso, aus welchem Grund (for what reason); Antonyms: deshalb, darum (as an answer)
Etymology
From Old High German 'wes' (genitive of 'was', what) and 'halb' (on account of). It literally means 'on account of what?'.
Memory Tips
Think of it as a slightly more formal version of 'warum'. It can be used both to ask a question and to connect a cause and effect.