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

Subject + 之所以 + Effect + 是因为 + Cause

Examples

• 他 之 所以 去 希腊 是 因为 想 进一步 了解 西方 文明。The reason he went to Greece was because he wanted to further understand Western culture.
• 少数民族 之 所以 受到 人类学家 的 注意 是 因为 他们 至今 还 保留 着 许多 传统 文化。The reason minorities receive a lot of attention from anthropologists is because they maintain most of their traditional culture up until today.
• 你 之所以 能够 追求 精神 上 的 快乐 是 因为 你 已经 有 了 稳定 的 物质 基础。The reason you can pursue spiritual happiness is because you already have a stable material foundation.

See also

• "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) →buy

HSK5