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 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.We were late 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.My child cried because I didn't buy her any 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.There were a lot of people on the road because it was a nice day.
• 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 were accepted because you are very good.
• 我 之 所以 没 告诉 你 是 不 想 让 你 担心 。Wǒ zhī suǒyǐ méi gàosù nǐ shì bù xiǎng 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