Why do people ask 'Why aren't you answering?' in the present tense? Shouldn't they use the past tense since the moment of not answering happened before the moment of asking?
Why Use Present Tense?
Ongoing Situation: It shows that the action (not answering) is still happening now.
Immediate Response: It asks for a response right now, making it feel urgent.
Language Habit: In Korean, it’s common to use present tense for actions that started in the past but are still relevant.
Here are 10 similar sentences:
왜 전화 안 받아요? (Why aren't you picking up the phone?)
왜 숙제 안 해요? (Why aren't you doing your homework?)
왜 안 먹어요? (Why aren't you eating?)
왜 문 안 열어요? (Why won't you open the door?)
왜 메시지 안 읽어요? (Why aren't you reading the message?)
왜 말 안 해요? (Why aren't you talking?)
왜 도와주지 않아요? (Why aren't you helping?)