Difference between revisions of "Expressing "since" with "jiran""
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| − | * | + | *你 <em>既然</em> 不 想 说，<em>那就</em> 别 说 了。<span class="trans">Since you don't want to speak, just don't say it.</span> <span class="expl">a suggestion)</span> |
| − | * | + | *她 <em>既然</em> 刚刚 分手，<em>那</em> 现在 应该 是 单身 吧。 <span class="trans">Since she just had a breakup, she should be single now.</span> <span class="expl">an inference)</span> |
| − | * <em>既然</em> | + | *<em>既然</em> 你们 的 关系 那么 好，<em>那</em> 他 肯定 会 帮 你 吧。<span class="trans">Since his relationship his so strong, he can definitely help us.</span> <span class="expl">an inference)</span> |
| − | * | + | *<em>既然</em> 你 男朋友 那么 有 钱，<em>那</em> 他 为什么 不 能 大方 一点？<span class="trans">Since your boyfriend is so rich, why can't he be more generous?</span> <span class="expl">a suggestion)</span> |
| + | * <em>既然</em> 大家 都 不 感 兴趣，<em>就</em> 换 个 话题 吧。<span class="trans">Since nobody is interested, let's just change the topic.</span> <span class="expl">a suggestion)</span> | ||
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Revision as of 07:24, 18 November 2016
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Level
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Used for
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Keywords
既然 (jìrán) means "since", and is often followed by 就 to mean "since...then...." It is used like this:
Structure
既然 + Fact, 那 / 就 + Suggestion / Inference
This construction is not generally used to express a result, but more of a suggestion or inference deduced from the first fact.
Examples
- 你 既然 不 想 说，那就 别 说 了。Since you don't want to speak, just don't say it. a suggestion)
- 她 既然 刚刚 分手，那 现在 应该 是 单身 吧。 Since she just had a breakup, she should be single now. an inference)
- 既然 你们 的 关系 那么 好，那 他 肯定 会 帮 你 吧。Since his relationship his so strong, he can definitely help us. an inference)
- 既然 你 男朋友 那么 有 钱，那 他 为什么 不 能 大方 一点？Since your boyfriend is so rich, why can't he be more generous? a suggestion)
- 既然 大家 都 不 感 兴趣，就 换 个 话题 吧。Since nobody is interested, let's just change the topic. a suggestion)
See also
- Cause and Effect with "yinwei" and "suoyi"
- Because" with "er" Indicating Effect
- Expressing "Even if…" with "jishi"
Sources and further reading
Books
- Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (pp.267-9) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 289-90) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 179) →buy
- 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (p. 245) →buy
