Expressing "since" with "jiran"

既然 (jìrán) means "since", and is often followed by 就 to mean "since...then...." It is used like this:

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)
• 既然 你 那么 喜欢，那就 买 吧。 Since you like it so much, buy it then. 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 是 好 朋友，那 他 肯定 会 帮 你 吧。Since you guys are good friends, he will definitely help you. 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