云何

The term has been started to detach from its literal meaning since the times of the Classic of Poetry. Cf. 如何, which has undergone a similar route.

云何

1. (often in a rhetorical question) how; why

   • 既見君子，云何不樂？ [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]
     既见君子，云何不乐？ [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11^th – 7^th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

     Jì jiàn jūnzǐ, yúnhé bù lè? [Pinyin]

     Having seen the princely lord, shall we not rejoice? (lit. "how can one say we do not rejoice?")

   • 此法當失，云何得遂有天下？ [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     此法当失，云何得遂有天下？ [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: Liu Yiqing (editor), A New Account of the Tales of the World, 5^th century CE

     Cǐ fǎ dāng shī, yúnhé dé suì yǒu tiānxià? [Pinyin]

     This strategy leads to certain ruin! Why did he ended up on the throne?

   • 大將軍平素與江州云何？而汝欲歸之。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     大将军平素与江州云何？而汝欲归之。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: Liu Yiqing (editor), A New Account of the Tales of the World, 5^th century CE

     Dàjiāngjūn píngsù yǔ Jiāngzhōu yúnhé? Ér rǔ yù guī zhī. [Pinyin]

     (You know quite clearly) how the Marshal's relation with (the Governor of) Jiangzhou has been. Yet you still want to seek refuge there?

云何

1. what is ...? what does ... mean?

   • 弟子都未解，阿彌那得已解？所得云何？ [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     弟子都未解，阿弥那得已解？所得云何？ [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: Liu Yiqing (editor), A New Account of the Tales of the World, 5^th century CE

     Dìzǐ dōu wèi jiě, Ā Mí nǎ dé yǐ jiě? Suǒdé yúnhé? [Pinyin]

     None of the disciples has understood it yet. How could my friend Mí have done so? What is the understanding that he obtained?

2. (literally) what does ... say?

   • 子張曰：「子夏云何？」對曰：「子夏曰：『可者與之，其不可者拒之。』」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     子张曰：「子夏云何？」对曰：「子夏曰：『可者与之，其不可者拒之。』」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

     Zǐzhāng yuē: “Zǐxià yúnhé?” Duì yuē: “Zǐxià yuē: ‘Kě zhě yǔ zhī, qí bùkě zhě jù zhī.’” [Pinyin]

     Zi Zhang asked, "What does Zi Xia say on the subject?" They replied, "Zi Xia says: 'Associate with those who can advantage you. Put away from you those who cannot do so.'"