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因此 (yīn cǐ) — thus, consequently, as a result

Definition

因此 (yīncǐ) is a more formal, written-style 'therefore' than the everyday 所以 — common in essays and formal writing. It links a stated cause to its conclusion, like 'thus' or 'consequently'.

conjunction
thusconsequentlyas a result

Examples

  • ，因此。
    Tā xué xí hěn nǔ lì, yīn cǐ tōng guò le kǎo shì.
    He studies very hard, so he passed the exam.
  • ，因此。
    Tiān qì tài lěng, yīn cǐ wǒ men méi chū qù.
    It was too cold, so we didn't go out.
  • ，因此。
    Tā méi yǒu shí jiān, yīn cǐ bù néng lái cān jiā.
    She has no time, so she can't come and join.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

因yīnbecause of
此cǐthis

因 gives the idea of cause, 此 points to this, so the whole means as a result of this.

Characters in this word

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.

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

Open 此 →

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4HSK 2.0 Level 4Cause, Effect & Logic2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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