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 因为 她 关心 你们 。Tā zhī suǒyǐ wèn zhème duō shì yīnwèi tā guānxīn nǐmen.The reason she asked this much was because she cares about you guys.
• 我 之 所以 没 告诉 你 是 不 想 让 你 担心 。Wǒ zhī suǒyǐ méi gàosù nǐ shì bùxiǎng ràng nǐ dānxīn.The reason why I didn't tell you is that I didn't want you to worry about it.
• 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 yīgè 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 yuè lái yuè 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