Expressing "since" with "jiran"
Revision as of 01:57, 17 November 2011 by Jonathan.pope (talk | contribs)
既然 (jìrán) means "since", and is often followed by 就 to mean "since...then...". It is used like this:
既然 + fact + 那/就/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.
Here are some examples:
- 她 既然 刚生 了 孩子，那 她 一定 很 累 吧。 (an inference)
- 他 的 关系 既然 那么 硬，那 他 肯定 能 给 我们 帮忙 吧。(an inference)
- 他 既然 那么 有 钱，那 干嘛 不 把 一部分 财产 捐 给 慈善 机构 呢？(a suggestion)
- 既然 大家 的 意见 一致，那 最好 趁早 行动！(a suggestion)
- 你 既然 不 想 说，那就 算了 吧。(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
- 汉语语法百项讲练 pp.267-269
- New Practical Chinese Reader: Textbook 4 p179
