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之所以 (zhī suǒ yǐ) — the reason why (used in the pattern 之所以...是因为...)

Definition

Used at the start of a clause to name the reason — pairs with 是因为 to complete the explanation. 所以 ('so / therefore') comes after the cause; 之所以 comes before, introducing the reason itself.

conjunction
the reason why (used in the pattern 之所以...是因为...)

Examples

  • 之所以，。
    Tā zhī suǒ yǐ méi lái, shì yīn wèi shēng bìng le.
    The reason why he didn't come is because he was sick.
  • 之所以，。
    Wǒ zhī suǒ yǐ xuǎn zé zhè ge zhuān yè, shì yīn wèi xìng qù.
    The reason why I chose this major is because of interest.
  • 之所以，。
    Tā zhī suǒ yǐ chéng gōng, shì yīn wèi fēi cháng nǔ lì.
    The reason why she succeeded is because she worked very hard.

Origin

Characters in this word

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

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

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
斤斤jīnaxe
Sound part声符shēngfú
戶
戶hù所suǒ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

所 pairs 斤, an axe, with 戶, which gives the sound hù; the old meaning was the sound of logging.

Open 所 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape came from a drawing of a person carrying something; in 以, part of that person is still visible on the right.

Open 以 →

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Cause, Effect & Logic5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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