前因后果 (qián yīn hòu guǒ) — the whole story from cause to effect; the ins and outs (of a situation)

Definition

A chengyu meaning the full chain of cause and effect — the entire sequence from what triggered something to what resulted. Use it for events, incidents, or decisions where both the origin and the outcome matter, not just a simple 'because'.

idiom
the whole story from cause to effectthe ins and outs (of a situation)

Examples

  • 前因后果。
    Tā xiáng xì dì shuō míng le shì qing de qián yīn hòu guǒ.
    He explained the whole story of the matter in detail.
  • 前因后果，。
    Bù liǎo jiě qián yīn hòu guǒ, jiù bú yào suí biàn píng lùn.
    If you don't understand the ins and outs, don't casually comment.
  • 前因后果。
    Jǐng chá bǎ shì gù de qián yīn hòu guǒ dōu chá qīng chǔ le.
    The police investigated the entire cause and effect of the accident clearly.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

前因earlier cause
前qiánearlier因yīncause
偏正Modifier + head
后果later result
后hòulater果guǒresult
偏正Modifier + head

“前因” means the earlier cause and “后果” means the later result, so the phrase covers cause and effect or the whole story.

Characters in this word

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

In the older form of 前, 止 (foot) and 舟 (boat) showed a foot on a boat moving forward; in the current 前 those parts are shortened.

Open 前 →

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

  • 囗囗wéisheet
  • 大大dàperson

Originally, 因 showed 大 (a person) on 囗 (a sheet or mattress).

Open 因 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 後; 后 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 後 showed 夊 (foot) bound by 幺 (thread), a foot caught by a rope and lagging behind; the simplified 后 is a later abbreviation, and 后 also has a different meaning.

Open 后 →

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

果 originally drew fruits hanging on a tree.

Open 果 →

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