Expressing "since" with "jiran"

Level

B2 / HSK4
Level

B2
Level

HSK4
Similar to
- Cause and effect with "yinwei" and "suoyi" (A2)
- Using "because" with "er" to indicate effect (C1)
Similar to
- Cause and effect with "yinwei" and "suoyi" (HSK2)
- Using "because" with "er" to indicate effect (HSK6)
Used for

Indicating cause and effect
Keywords

既然

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. It can be placed before or after the subject. But if the subjects in the two clauses are the same, 既然 is more often put after the subject.

Structure

既然＋Fact, 那 / 就 / 那就＋Suggestion / Inference

Examples

你既然不想说，那就别说了。a suggestionNǐ jìrán bùxiǎng shuō, nà jiù bié shuō le.Since you don't want to speak, just don't say it.
既然你那么喜欢，那就买吧。 a suggestionJìrán nǐ nàme xǐhuān, nà jiù mǎi ba.Since you like it so much, buy it then.
她既然刚刚分手，那现在应该是单身吧。 an inferenceTā jìrán gānggāng fēnshǒu, nà xiànzài yīnggāi shì dānshēn ba.Since she just had a breakup, she should be single now.
既然你们是好朋友，那他肯定会帮你吧。an inferenceJìrán nǐmen shì hǎo péngyou, nà tā kěndìng huì bāng nǐ ba.Since you guys are good friends, he will definitely help you.
既然大家都不感兴趣，就换个话题吧。a suggestionJìrán dàjiā dōu bùgǎn xìngqù, jiù huàngè huàtí ba.Since nobody is interested, let's change the topic.

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？a suggestionNǐ jìrán bù xǐhuān tā, wèishéme hái xiǎng gēn tā chūqù?Since you don't like him, why do you want to go out with him?
既然你已经决定了，为什么现在后悔？a suggestionJìrán nǐ yǐjīng juédìng le, wèishéme xiànzài hòuhuǐ?Since you've made your decision, don't regret it then.
既然他那么忙，你为什么还去打扰他？a suggestionJìrán tā nàme máng, nǐ wèishéme hái qù dǎrǎo tā?Since he's so busy, why would you bother him?
既然已经分手了，为什么还要见面？a suggestionJìrán yǐjīng fēnshǒu le, wèishéme hái yào jiànmiàn?Since we broke up, why would we still see each other?
既然你男朋友那么有钱，那他为什么不能大方一点？a suggestionJìrán nǐ nán péngyou nàme yǒu qián, nà tā wèishéme bùnéng dàfāng yīdiǎn?Since your boyfriend is so rich, why can't he be more generous?

Sources and further reading

Books

Expressing "since" with "jiran"

Contents

既然 followed by an affirmative sentence

Structure

Examples

既然 followed by a question

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books