Definition
故 (gù) is a formal, literary conjunction meaning 'therefore, hence' — it is used in written Chinese and formal speech to introduce a logical conclusion. It is more classical than 于是 (yú shì), which is the everyday word for 'so, consequently' in both speech and writing. 为此 (wèi cǐ) also means 'for this reason' but emphasizes purpose or deliberate action rather than a simple cause-effect.
thereforehenceso
Easily confused
- 做zuòlook-aliketo do; to engage in (an activity)
- 雇gùsound-aliketo hire, to employ
- 古gǔsound-alikeancient; old (from the distant past)
- 股gǔsound-alike(classifier) for long winding things (rope, river, strand)
- 鼓gǔsound-alike(noun) drum
- 顾gùsound-aliketo take into consideration, to attend to (often used with 不 or 只)
Examples
- ，故。Tiānqì bù hǎo, gù bǐsài qǔxiāo le.The weather was bad, so the match was cancelled.
- ，故。Tā nǔlì xuéxí, gù qǔdé le hǎo chéngjì.He studied hard, therefore achieved good results.
- ，故。Yóuyú zījīn bùzú, gù xiàngmù zàntíng.Due to insufficient funds, the project is suspended.
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