Stating the effect before the cause

之所以⋯⋯是因为⋯⋯ (zhī suǒyǐ... shì yīnwèi...) can be translated as “the reason why... is because...” and can be used if the speaker wishes to state the effect before the cause. It's normally used in somewhat formal speech.

Structure

之所以 ⋯⋯ ，是 + 因为 / 为了 / 想 ⋯⋯

Examples

• 她 之 所以 问 这么 多 是 为了 多 关心 你们 。Tā zhī suǒyǐ wèn zhème duō shì wèile duō guānxīn nǐmen.The reason she asks so many questions is in order to she cares about you guys.
• 我 之 所以 不 喜欢 他 是 因为 他 太 疯狂 了。Wǒ zhī suǒyǐ bù xǐhuan tā shì yīnwèi tā tài fēngkuáng le.The reason why I don't like him is because he's too crazy.
• 我们 之 所以 迟到 了 是 因为 路上 堵车。Wǒmen zhī suǒyǐ chídào le shì yīnwèi lùshang dǔchē.The reason we were late is because we were stuck in a traffic jam.
• 小朋友 之 所以 哭 是 因为 我 没有 给 她 买 巧克力。Xiǎopéngyou zhī suǒyǐ kū shì yīnwèi wǒ méiyǒu gěi tā mǎi qiǎokèlì.The reason the child is crying is because I didn't buy her chocolate.
• 路上 之 所以 有 很 多 人 是 因为 今天 天气 好。 Lùshang zzhī suǒyǐ yǒu hěn duō rén shì yīnwèi jīntiān tiānqì hǎo.The reasons there are so many people on the street is because the weather is nice today.
• 你 之 所以 能 被 录取 是 因为 你 很 优秀。Nǐ zhī suǒyǐ néng bèi lùqǔ shì yīnwèi nǐ hěn yōuxiù.You reason you were accepted is because you are outstanding.
• 我 之 所以 没 告诉 你 是 为了 不 让 你 担心 。Wǒ zhī suǒyǐ méi gàosù nǐ shì wèile bù ràng nǐ dānxīn.The reason I didn't tell you is that I didn't want you to worry.
• 他 之 所以 放弃 了 那 份 工作 是 因为 他 找到 了 更好 的 机会 。Tā zhī suǒyǐ fàngqì le nà fèn gōngzuò shì yīnwèi tā zhǎodào le gèng hǎo de jīhuì.The reason why he gave up that job was that he found himself a better opportunity.
• 我们 之 所以 保密 是 想 给 她 一 个 惊喜 。Wǒmen zhī suǒyǐ bǎomì shì xiǎng gěi tā yī gè jīngxǐ.The reason why we kept it a secret is that we wanted to give her a surprise.
• 公司 之 所以 花钱 培训 你们 是 想 让 你们 越来越 专业 。Gōngsī zhī suǒyǐ huā qián péixùn nǐmen shì xiǎng ràng nǐmen yuèláiyuè zhuānyè.The reason why the company spends money on your training is to help you become more and more professional.

See also

• Expressing purpose with "weile"
• "Due to…" with "youyu"
• "Because" with "er" indicating effect
• Explaining results with "suoyi"
• Cause and effect with "yinwei" and "suoyi"

Sources and further reading

Books

• New Practical Chinese Reader 5 (新实用汉语课本5) (pp. 93) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (pp. 199) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy

HSK5