Wherefore means “for what reason” or “why.” When Juliet famously asks “Wherefore art thou Romeo?” in Shakespeare's play, she's not asking where Romeo is. She's asking why he has to be Romeo, a member of the family her own family hates. She's asking: Why does the boy she loves have to have that particular name?

People often confuse wherefore with where because the words look similar and both appear in old-fashioned writing. But wherefore asks about reasons and causes, not locations. If someone asked “Wherefore did you choose that book?” they mean “Why did you choose it?” not “Where did you choose it?”

You might see wherefore in old documents, classic literature, or historical speeches. In modern English, we simply say “why.” instead.