所以然 (suǒ yǐ rán) — the whys and wherefores, the underlying reason or explanation

Definition

所以然 refers to the underlying reason or explanation behind something — usually used in contexts like 知其然不知其所以然 ('know what but not why') where the focus is the 'why'. It is a set phrase, not a free combination.

noun
the whys and wherefores, the underlying reason or explanation

Examples

  • 所以然。
    Tā wèn le bàn tiān yě méi wèn chū gè suǒ yǐ rán lái.
    He asked for a long time but couldn't get any clear answer as to why.
  • 所以然，。
    Zhè jiàn shì de suǒ yǐ rán, lián zhuān jiā yě shuō bù qīng chǔ.
    Even experts can't explain the whys and wherefores of this matter.
  • 所以然，。
    Nǐ yào shi zhēn xiǎng zhī dào suǒ yǐ rán, jiù zì jǐ qù chá zī liào.
    If you really want to know the reasons, go look up the materials yourself.

Origin

Characters in this word

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.

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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 →

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