何必 hébì

何必（hébì）means “何必: why bother …?; there's no need to (rhetorical)”. 何必 is a rhetorical question meaning 'why bother to…. Formation: 何必 + 动词短语 + （呢）（反问：没必要）

何必: why bother …?; there's no need to (rhetorical)

HSK5

Formation

何必 + 动词短语 + （呢）（反问：没必要）

Explanation

何必 is a rhetorical question meaning 'why bother to…? there's really no need'. By asking, the speaker actually asserts that the action is unnecessary and often advises against it. It is usually followed by the action being questioned and rounded off with the softening particle 呢.

Examples

这么点儿小事，你 何必 生气呢？
zhème diǎnr xiǎo shì, nǐ hébì shēngqì ne?
Such a small thing — why get angry over it?
打个电话就行了，你 何必 亲自跑一趟呢？
dǎ gè diànhuà jiù xíng le, nǐ hébì qīnzì pǎo yí tàng ne?
A phone call would do — why bother going in person?

Note

Rhetorical: expects the answer 'no need'. Often ends with 呢.

FAQ

何必 — what does it mean and how is it used?

何必: why bother …?; there's no need to (rhetorical). 何必 is a rhetorical question meaning 'why bother to…? there's really no need'. By asking, the speaker actually asserts that the action is unnecessary and often advises against it. It is usually followed by the action being questioned and rounded off with the softening particle 呢.

何必 — how do you form it?

何必 + 动词短语 + （呢）（反问：没必要）

何必 — any usage notes?

Rhetorical: expects the answer 'no need'. Often ends with 呢.

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