Using "because" with "er" to indicate effect

因为⋯⋯，而⋯⋯ (yīnwèi... ér...) is another structure that can express cause and effect.

Structure

Subj. + 因(为) + Cause + 而 + Result

Sometimes, 因为 can be shortened to just 因. This is used more in sentences that are meant to be shorter and more succinct.

Examples

• 我 因为 生病 而 请假。Wǒ yīnwèi shēngbìng ér qǐngjià.Because I got sick, I asked for time off.
• 欧洲 的 经济 因为 债务 危机 而 陷入 衰退。Ōuzhōu de jīngjì yīnwèi zhàiwù wéijī ér xiànrù shuāituì.Because Europe is suffering a debt crisis, it is falling into decline.
• 外婆 只是 因为 孩子 顽皮 而 想 吓唬 他 一下 。Wàipó zhǐshì yīnwèi háizi wánpí ér xiǎng xiàhu tā yīxià.Because the kid was being so naughty, granny just wanted to scare him a little.
• 男 女朋友 之间 经常 因为 吃醋 而 吵架 。Nán-nǚpéngyou zhījiān jīngcháng yīnwèi chīcù ér chǎojià.Boyfriends and girlfriends frequently argue because of jealousy.
• 首相 因为 受贿 丑闻 而 下 了 台。Shǒuxiàng yīnwèi shòuhuì chǒuwén ér xià le tái.Because the prime minister's bribery scandal, he fell from power.
• 伦敦 地铁 因 罢工 而 处于 瘫痪 状态。Lúndūn dìtiě yīn bàgōng ér chǔyú tānhuàn zhuàngtài.Because of the London Underground strike, it's in a state of paralysis.
• 妈妈 因 小朋友 的 陪伴， 而 忘记 了 生活 的 不 愉快 。Māma yīn xiǎopéngyou de péibàn, ér wàngjì le shēnghuó de bù yúkuài.Because her children are with her, Mom can forget the unpleasantness of life.
• 他 因为 熬夜 而 精神 不 能 集中。Tā yīnwéi áoyè ér jīngshén bù néng jízhōng.He stayed up too late and thus could not concentrate.
• 这 家 餐厅 因 火锅 而 出名。Zhè jiā cāntīng yīn huǒguō ér chūmíng.This restaurant is famous for its hotpot.
• 生活 因 你 而 精彩。Shēnghuó yīn nǐ ér jīngcǎi.Life is wonderful because of you.

See also

• Cause and effect with "yinwei" and "suoyi"
• Explaining results with "suoyi"

Sources and further reading

Books

• New Practical Chinese Reader 5 (新实用汉语课本5) (pp. 92) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy

Websites

• Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: Usage of 而

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