Difference between revisions of "Expressing "since" with "jiran""
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{{Grammar Box}} | {{Grammar Box}} | ||
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既然 (jìrán) means "since", and is often followed by 就 to mean "since...then...." It is used like this: | 既然 (jìrán) means "since", and is often followed by 就 to mean "since...then...." It is used like this: | ||
| − | ==Structure== | + | == 既然 followed by an affirmative sentence == |
| + | |||
| + | This construction is not generally used to express a result, but more of a suggestion or inference deduced from the first fact. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Structure === | ||
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | 既然＋Fact, 那 / 就 / 那就＋Suggestion / Inference | ||
| + | |||
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | + | === Examples === | |
| − | |||
| − | ==Examples== | ||
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
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*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> | *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> 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> 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> | ||
| + | |||
| + | </div> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == 既然 followed by a question == | ||
| + | |||
| + | The suggestion or inference deduced from the first fact can come in the form of rhetorical question. In this case, “那” can be omitted. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Structure === | ||
| + | |||
| + | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| + | |||
| + | 既然 + Fact, （那 +）rhetorical question | ||
| + | |||
| + | </div> | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Examples === | ||
| + | |||
| + | <div class="liju"> | ||
| + | |||
| + | *你 <em>既然</em> 不 喜欢 他，为什么 还 想 跟 他 出去？<span class="trans">Since you don't like him, why do you want to go out with him?</span> <span class="expl">a suggestion)</span> | ||
| + | *<em>既然</em> 你 已经 决定 了，为什么 现在 后悔？<span class="trans">Since you've made your decision, don't regret it then.</span> <span class="expl">a suggestion)</span> | ||
| + | *<em>既然</em> 他 那么 忙，你 为什么 还 去 打扰 他？<span class="trans">Since he's so busy, why would you bother him?</span> <span class="expl">a suggestion)</span> | ||
| + | *<em>既然</em> 已经 分手 了，为什么 还 要 见面？<span class="trans">Since we broke up, why would we still see each other?</span> <span class="expl">a suggestion)</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> 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> | ||
| − | |||
</div> | </div> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| + | |||
*[[Cause and Effect with "yinwei" and "suoyi"]] | *[[Cause and Effect with "yinwei" and "suoyi"]] | ||
*[[Because" with "er" Indicating Effect]] | *[[Because" with "er" Indicating Effect]] | ||
Revision as of 07:44, 18 November 2016
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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:
Contents
既然 followed by an affirmative sentence
This construction is not generally used to express a result, but more of a suggestion or inference deduced from the first fact.
Structure
既然＋Fact, 那 / 就 / 那就＋Suggestion / Inference
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 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)
既然 followed by a question
The suggestion or inference deduced from the first fact can come in the form of rhetorical question. In this case, “那” can be omitted.
Structure
既然 + Fact, （那 +）rhetorical question
Examples
- 你 既然 不 喜欢 他，为什么 还 想 跟 他 出去？Since you don't like him, why do you want to go out with him? a suggestion)
- 既然 你 已经 决定 了，为什么 现在 后悔？Since you've made your decision, don't regret it then. a suggestion)
- 既然 他 那么 忙，你 为什么 还 去 打扰 他？Since he's so busy, why would you bother him? a suggestion)
- 既然 已经 分手 了，为什么 还 要 见面？Since we broke up, why would we still see each other? a suggestion)
- 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)
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
