Why in Hebrew is לָמָּה (láma).
It can also be said מדוע, depending on the meaning. Below are the vowel points, how each word is said, its gender and its plural.
why
/waɪ̯/ /ʍaɪ̯/
The stress falls on the vowel in colour.
These are the Hebrew words for why as an adverb.
(interrogative) for what reason
- לָמָּהלמהlámaIn the Hebrew dictionary
- מַדּוּעַמדועmadúa’In the Hebrew dictionary
These are the Hebrew words for why as a noun.
the reason
- לָמָהלמהlámafeminineIn the Hebrew dictionary
- מַדּוּעַמדועmadu‘aIn the Hebrew dictionary
This is more about the Hebrew word לָמָּה.
- Written with vowel points
- לָמָּה
- Written without vowel points
- למה
- Said
- láma
- Its meanings in English
- why, why, for what reason, for which reason, the reason for which, because
The Hebrew dictionary's page for למה, with its synonyms and rhymes
These English words share a Hebrew word with why.
These words come before and after why in the list.
These are the questions people ask about why in Hebrew.
How do you say why in Hebrew?
why in Hebrew is לָמָּה, said láma. Without vowel points it is written למה.
What are other Hebrew words for why?
Besides למה, why can be said מַדּוּעַ (madúa’), depending on the meaning.
What else does למה mean in English?
Besides why, למה can mean why, for what reason, for which reason, the reason for which, and because.
How is why pronounced in English?
why is pronounced /waɪ̯/, /ʍaɪ̯/.
The Hebrew translations, transliterations, genders and plurals on this page are adapted from Wiktionary's entry why and its entries for the Hebrew words, read on 5 November 2026, and are shared under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.