何必(hébì)
Why Bother / Why Must
Structure Pattern
Explanation
何必 (hébì) is a rhetorical question meaning "why bother?" or "why must you?" It implies the action is unnecessary or not worth the trouble. More literary than 干吗 (gànmá). Often used to give advice or persuade someone not to do something.
Example Sentences
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Hébì shēngqì ne?
Why bother getting angry?
Hébì nàme zhāojí?
Why be in such a rush?
Zhè zhǒng rén bù zhíde, hébì gēn tā jìjiào.
This person isn't worth it — why bother arguing with him?
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
你何必出国留学？
Correct Usage
你为什么出国留学？
The mistake is using 何必 when you simply want to ask for the reason or motivation behind an action. '你何必出国留学？' implies that studying abroad is unnecessary or not worth the trouble. If you just want to know 'why' (what's the reason), you should use 为什么 (wèishénme) instead.
Master 何必
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