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既然如此 (jì rán rú cǐ) — since that is the case; given the circumstances; therefore

Definition

A formal written phrase meaning 'given that this is so / since that is the case,' used to draw a conclusion from a preceding statement. It sounds more literary than simply saying 所以.

idiom
since that is the casegiven the circumstancestherefore

Examples

  • 既然如此，。
    jì rán rú cǐ, Nà wǒ men jiù bú kè qi le.
    Since that's the case, then we'll make ourselves at home.
  • 既然如此，？
    jì rán rú cǐ, Nǐ wèi shén me bù zǎo shuō?
    If that's so, why didn't you say so earlier?
  • 既然如此，。
    jì rán rú cǐ, Wǒ men jiù àn yuán jì huà jìn xíng ba.
    Given that, let's proceed with the original plan.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 皀皀jíbowl of rice
  • 旡旡jìkneeling figure

既 combines 皀, a bowl of rice, with 旡, a kneeling figure: a person kneeling at the bowl, having finished eating.

Open 既 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
火火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
肰
肰rán然rán
Same sound today

然 is made from 肰, which gives the sound, and 火, which shows fire, matching the old sense 'to burn'.

Open 然 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
女
女nǚ如rú
Same sound today

如 is built from 口 (mouth) for its meaning and 女 (woman) for its sound.

Open 如 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

此 shows 止 (feet) and 人 (person), drawing a person stopping, to mean 'this' or 'here.'

Open 此 →
Appears in
Cause, Effect & Logic

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