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 whereforesthe 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.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.