何以

Chinese

Pronunciation

Adverb

何以

1. (literary) how; why; with what

   • 宣王曰：「諸侯多謀伐寡人者，何以待之？」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     宣王曰：「诸侯多谋伐寡人者，何以待之？」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Mencius, c. 4^th century BCE

     Xuānwáng yuē: “Zhūhóu duō móu fá guǎrén zhě, héyǐ dài zhī?”

     The king Xuan said to Mencius, "The princes have formed many plans to attack me - how shall I prepare myself for them?"

   • 高子曰：「禹之聲，尚文王之聲。」孟子曰：「何以言之？」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     高子曰：「禹之声，尚文王之声。」孟子曰：「何以言之？」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Mencius, c. 4^th century BCE

     Gāozǐ yuē: “Yǔ zhī shēng, shàng Wénwáng zhī shēng.” Mèngzǐ yuē: “Héyǐ yán zhī?”

     The disciple Gao said, "The music of Yu was better than that of king Wen." Mencius observed, "Why do you say so?"

   • 昔夫子當行，使弟子持雨具，已而果雨。弟子問曰：「夫子何以知之？」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     昔夫子当行，使弟子持雨具，已而果雨。弟子问曰：「夫子何以知之？」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE

     Xī fūzǐ dāng xíng, shǐ dìzǐ chí yǔjù, yǐ'ér guǒ yǔ. Dìzǐ wèn yuē: “Fūzǐ héyǐ zhī zhī?”

     Once Confucius was above to set out, and asked his disciples to bring along raingear. Soon afterwards it really rained. His disciples asked, "Master, how did you know it would rain?"

   • 何以解憂？唯有杜康。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     何以解忧？唯有杜康。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: 曹操 (Cao Cao), 《短歌行》, 2^nd – 3^rd century CE

     Héyǐ jiěyōu? Wéiyǒu dùkāng.

     How can I rid myself of sorrow? Only via drinking!

Synonyms