▎何必, hébì, (Adv), why must

 

Function The adverb 何必 indicates that the speaker finds no justification for the subject’s course of action.

1 東西丟了可以買新的。你何必那麼難過？

Dōngxi diūle kěyǐ mǎi xīn de. Nǐ hébì nàme nánguò?

You can buy a replacement for what you lost. Why must you be so upset?

2 外面天氣那麼好應該出去走走。何必在家看電視？

Wàimiàn tiānqì nàme hǎo yīnggāi chūqù zǒuzǒu. Hébì zài jiā kàn diànshì?

We should go out and enjoy the beautiful weather. Why sit at home and watch TV?

3 春天天氣已經不冷了。何必穿那麼多？

Chūntiān tiānqì yǐjīng bù lěng le. Hébì chuān nàme duō?

It’s spring already, and it’s warm outside. Must you wear so much?

4 他何必去打工？他的爸爸給他那麼多錢。

Tā hébì qù dǎgōng? Tā de bàba gěi tā nàme duō qián.

Does he really have to work part-time? His dad gives him plenty of money.

5 何必買新的？舊的電腦還可以用啊！

Hébì mǎi xīn de? Jiù de diànnǎo hái kěyǐ yòng a!

Why buy a new one? The old computer still works!

 

Usage Adding 呢 to the end of the above sentences softens the tone, making the statement more comforting and less abrupt, e.g., 只是小感冒，何必看醫生呢？Zhǐshì xiǎo gǎnmào, hébì kàn yīshēng ne? ‘It’s just a little cold. Why see a doctor?’