зачем

Etymology
, from the preposition +, instrumental singular of. This was originally marked as Saint Petersburg dialect, while in Moscow was used as late as the 18th century.

Adverb

 * 1)  why, what for
 * 2)  why, what for
 * 1)  why, what for

Usage notes

 * , while most often translated into English simply as "why" like, enquires about the goal/objective of something. It is quite often used in a similar manner to "what's the point of" . Sometimes it is interchangeable with , but other times one is more appropriate than the other.
 * The reply begins with or, "(in order) to".