どうして、なんで、なぜ

[kageri]

hi there,

I wonder what's the difference in the usage of these? And wasn't there still another word for "why"?

thanks

[mieth]

Im not a native but my feeling on those is the following

doushite = just a flat out why
nande= why (is more casual that doushite) but can also be used to by what means something was done
naze= why but is the most polite of the three

[jpd1]

really?
naze is the most polite?
i figured it's the least polite for it's Ze sound..
and nande would be it's more polite form.

isn't it so?

btw, im new here

[mieth]

No

[Psy]

No

Clarification: No, it isn't so. Naze is the most polite.

[Drabant]

Really? How do you tell?

I though naze was rather informal because I often heard it in informal situations (in stuff like anime). Also, unlike naze, doushite and nande are words I have seen in educational material. So I'm a little surprised to hear naze is more polite. Guess I have to listen for it more.

[mieth]

not all ze's are suffixes added to the end of sentences. naze is the most polite formal/ whatever you want to call it. Good luck

[Psy]

You tell by usage. Given the number of naze da?!'s I've heard, I suppose "most polite" isn't the most accurate term-- Maybe saying it's the stiffest word gives a more accurate impression. Still, in formal situations it's the word you'll hear and should be using. This is how it is taught, by professional teachers who are also native speakers. I wouldn't go doubting them on a bet.

[Drabant]

That's what I meant Psy, I hear quite a lot of "naze da" in TV shows and the like. (Mind you, I've never been to Japan). I'm going to keep my ears open for formal situations.