Difference between revisions of "Cause and effect with "yinwei" and "suoyi""

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
You will often come across “因为 (yīnwèi)... , 所以 (suǒyǐ)..." in both written and spoken Chinese. This pattern will give your Chinese a more logical structure, and can help make you more persuasive.
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You will often come across 因为⋯⋯所以⋯⋯ (yīnwèi... suǒyǐ...) in both written and spoken Chinese. This pattern will give your Chinese a clear logical structure, and can help make you more persuasive.
  
== Using 因为 by itself to explain causes ==
+
== Using 因为 (yīnwèi) by Itself to Explain Causes ==
  
A common way to explain causes in Chinese is with 因为 (yīnwèi). This is almost entirely equivalent to "because" in English. Usually 因为 (yīnwèi) will begin a new phrase in a sentence.
+
A common way to explain causes in Chinese is with 因为 (yīnwèi). This is equivalent to "because" in English. Usually 因为 (yīnwèi) will begin a new phrase in a sentence.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Result ,因为 + Reason
+
Result, 因为 + Reason
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 他 学 得 很 快, <em>因为</em> 他 很 聪明。<span class="pinyin">Tā xué de hěn kuài, <em>yīnwèi</em> tā hěn cōngming. </span> <span class="trans">He learns fast because he is smart. </span>
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* 他 学 得 很 快 ,<em>因为</em> 他 很 聪明 。<span class="pinyin">Tā xué de hěn kuài, <em>yīnwèi</em> tā hěn cōngming.</span><span class="trans">He learns fast because he is smart.</span>
* 她 喜欢 你 , <em>因为</em> 帅。 <span class="pinyin">Tā xǐhuan nǐ, <em>yīnwèi</em> hěn shuài. </span> <span class="trans">She likes you because you are handsome. </span>
+
* 我 爱 吃 四川 菜 ,<em>因为</em> 很 辣 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ ài chī Sìchuān cài, <em>yīnwèi</em> hěn .</span><span class="trans"> I love eating Sichuan food because it's very spicy.</span>
* 我 在 学习 中文 , <em>因为</em> 我 想 去 中国。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài xuéxí Zhōngwén, <em>yīnwèi</em> wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó. </span> <span class="trans">I am studying Chinese because I want to go to China. </span>
+
* 我 在 学习 中文 ,<em>因为</em> 我 想 去 中国 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ zài xuéxí Zhōngwén, <em>yīnwèi</em> wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó.</span><span class="trans">I am studying Chinese because I want to go to China.</span>
* 我 不 喜欢 她,<em>因为</em> 她 友好。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ bù xǐhuan tā, <em>yīnwèi</em> tā hěn bù yǒuhǎo. </span> <span class="trans">I don't like her because she is very unfriendly. </span>
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* 我 不 喜欢 她 ,<em>因为</em> 她 不 友好 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ bù xǐhuan tā, <em>yīnwèi</em> tā bù yǒuhǎo.</span><span class="trans">I don't like her because she is very unfriendly.</span>
* 爸爸 不 太 舒服,<em>因为</em> 昨天 喝 了 太 多 酒。 <span class="pinyin">Bàba bù tài shūfu, <em>yīnwèi</em> zuótiān hē le tài duō jiǔ. </span> <span class="trans">Dad is not feeling very well because he drank too much alcohol yesterday. </span>
+
* 今天 我们 很 忙 ,<em>因为</em> 有 很 多 工作 。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān wǒmen hěn máng, <em>yīnwèi</em> yǒu hěn duō gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans"> We are very busy today because we have lots of work.</span>
* 今天 他 没 去 上课 , <em>因为</em> 他 生病 了。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān tā méi qù shàngkè, <em>yīnwèi</em> tā shēngbìng le. </span> <span class="trans">He didn't go to school today because he's sick. </span>
 
* 妈妈 很 累,<em>因为</em> 家里 有 三 个 孩子。<span class="pinyin">Māma hěn lèi, <em>yīnwèi</em> jiālǐ yǒu sānge háizi. </span> <span class="trans">Mom is really tired because she has three kids at home. </span>
 
* 他们 没 去 杭州 ,<em>因为</em> 天气 非常 热 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen méi qù Hángzhōu, <em>yīnwèi</em> tiānqì fēicháng rè. </span> <span class="trans">They didn't go to Hangzhou because the weather was very hot. </span>
 
* 上 个 月 我 不 在 上海,<em>因为</em> 我 去 南京 出差 了。<span class="pinyin">Shàng ge yuè wǒ bù zài Shànghǎi, <em>yīnwèi</em> wǒ qù Nánjīng chūchāi le. </span> <span class="trans">I wasn't in Shanghai last month because I went to Nanjing on a business trip. </span>
 
* 他 没 上 过 大学,<em>因为</em> 他 家 没钱。<span class="pinyin">Tā méi shàng guo dàxué, <em>yīnwèi</em> tā jiā méiqián. </span> <span class="trans">He's never been to college because his family doesn't have the money. </span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Using 所以 by itself to explain results ==
+
== Using 所以 (suǒyǐ) by Itself to Explain Results ==
  
Just as 因为 (yīnwèi) can be used to [[Explaining causes with "yinwei"|explain causes]], 所以 (suǒyǐ) can be used to explain results. This is the equivalent of "so therefore. . ." in English.
+
Just as 因为 (yīnwèi) can be used to explain causes, 所以 (suǒyǐ) can be used to explain results. This is the equivalent of "so…" or "therefore…" in English.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
This structure is a simple statement of "cause and effect." This is similar to expressing using both 因为 (yīnwèi) and 所以 (suǒyǐ), but it leaves out the beginning 因为 (yīnwèi). This structure is more informal.
+
This pattern is similar to the expression using both 因为 (yīnwèi) and 所以 (suǒyǐ), but it leaves out the beginning 因为 (yīnwèi). This structure is more informal.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Reason ,所以 + Result
+
Reason, 所以 + Result
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 汉字 太 难 了,<em>所以</em> 我 不 想 学。<span class="pinyin">Hànzì tài nán le, <em>suǒyǐ</em> wǒ bù xiǎng xué. </span> <span class="trans">Chinese characters are too hard, so I don't want to study them. </span>
+
* 汉字 太 难 了,<em>所以</em> 我 不 想 学 。<span class="pinyin">Hànzì tài nán le, <em>suǒyǐ</em> wǒ bù xiǎng xué.</span><span class="trans">Chinese characters are too hard, so I don't want to study them.</span>
* 她 很 漂亮,<em>所以</em> 很 多 男孩 喜欢 她。<span class="pinyin">Tā hěn piàoliang, <em>suǒyǐ</em> hěn duō nánhái xǐhuan tā. </span> <span class="trans">She is beautiful, so a lot of boys like her. </span>
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* 她 很 漂亮,<em>所以</em> 很 多 男孩 喜欢 她。<span class="pinyin">Tā hěn piàoliang, <em>suǒyǐ</em> hěn duō nánhái xǐhuan tā.</span><span class="trans">She is beautiful, so a lot of boys like her.</span>
* 我 很 想 去 美国,<em>所以</em> 我 要 学 英文。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ hěn xiǎng qù Měiguó, <em>suǒyǐ</em> wǒ yào xué Yīngwén. </span> <span class="trans">I want to go to America, so I want to study English. </span>
+
* 他 找到 工作 了, <em>所以</em> 很 高兴。<span class="pinyin">Tā zhǎodào gōngzuò le, <em>suǒyǐ</em> hěn gāoxìng.</span><span class="trans">He found a job so he's happy.</span>
* 上 个 周末 空气 不 好,<em>所以</em> 我 没 出去。<span class="pinyin">Shàng ge zhōumò kōngqì bù hǎo, <em>suǒyǐ</em> wǒ méi chūqù. </span> <span class="trans">Last weekend the air was bad, so I didn't go out. </span>
+
* 太 忙 了,<em>所以</em> 没有 时间 给 你 打 电话。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ tài máng le, <em>suǒyǐ</em> méiyǒu shíjiān gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.</span><span class="trans">I was too busy, so I didn't have time to give you a call.</span>
* 老师 很 累,<em>所以</em> 要 休息。<span class="pinyin">Lǎoshī hěn lèi, <em>suǒyǐ</em> yào xiūxī.</span> <span class="trans">The teacher is tired so she needs to rest. </span>
+
* 我们 公司 有 很 多 外国人,<em>所以</em> 我们 说 英文。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen gōngsī yǒu hěn duō wàiguó rén, <em>suǒyǐ</em> wǒmen yào shuō Yīngwén.</span><span class="trans">There are a lot of foreigners in our company, so we need to speak English.</span>
* 他 找到 工作 了 , <em>所以</em> 很 高兴。<span class="pinyin">Tā zhǎo dào gōngzuò le, <em>suǒyǐ</em> hěn gāoxìng. </span> <span class="trans">He found a job so he's happy. </span>
 
* 太 忙 了,<em>所以</em> 没有 给 你 打 电话。<span class="pinyin">Tài máng le, <em>suǒyǐ</em> méiyǒu gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà. </span> <span class="trans">I was very busy, so I didn't give you a call. </span>
 
* 你 的 口语 不 太 好,<em>所以</em> 你 要 多 说。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de kǒuyǔ bù tài hǎo, <em>suǒyǐ</em> nǐ yào duō shuō. </span> <span class="trans">Your spoken Chinese is not so good, so you need to speak more. </span>
 
* 我们 公司 有 很 多 外国人,<em>所以</em> 我们 说 英文。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen gōngsī yǒu hěn duō wàiguórén, <em>suǒyǐ</em> wǒmen shuō Yīngwén. </span> <span class="trans">There are a lot of foreigners in our company, so we speak English. </span>
 
* 他 要 结婚 了, <em>所以</em> 有点 忙。<span class="pinyin"> Tā yào jiéhūn le, <em>suǒyǐ</em> yǒudiǎn máng. </span> <span class="trans">He is getting married so he's been a little too busy. </span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Using 因为 and 所以 together ==
+
== Using 因为 (yīnwèi) and 所以 (suǒyǐ) Together ==
  
The full pattern "因为 (yīnwèi)... , 所以 (suǒyǐ)..." is used to clearly indicate cause and effect. They could be thought of as equating to: "Since ___ happened, so ___ happened."
+
The full pattern 因为……所以…… (yīnwèi... suǒyǐ...) is used to clearly indicate cause and effect. They could be thought of as equating to: "Since ___ happened, so ___ happened." It sounds weird to use both "since" and "so" in one sentence in English, but it makes everything crystal clear in Chinese.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
+
因为 + Cause, 所以 + Effect
因为 + Cause , 所以 + Effect
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* <em>因为</em> 我 有 一个 中国 女朋友,<em>所以</em> 我 要 学 中文。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> wǒ yǒu yī gè Zhōngguó nǚpéngyou, <em>suǒyǐ</em> wǒ yào xué Zhōngwén. </span> <span class="trans">Since I have a Chinese girlfriend, I am going to study Chinese. </span>
+
* <em>因为</em> 我 有 一个 中国 女朋友,<em>所以</em> 我 要 学 中文。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> wǒ yǒu yī gè Zhōngguó nǚpéngyou, <em>suǒyǐ</em> wǒ yào xué Zhōngwén.</span><span class="trans">Since I have a Chinese girlfriend, I need to study Chinese.</span>
* <em>因为</em> 我 不 想 迟到,<em>所以</em> 应该 打车。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> wǒ bùxiǎng chídào, <em>suǒyǐ</em> yīnggāi dǎchē. </span> <span class="trans">Since I don't want to be late, I should take a cab. </span>
+
* <em>因为</em> 他 生病 了,<em>所以</em> 没 去 上课。<span class="pinyin"> <em>Yīnwèi</em> shēngbìng le, <em>suǒyǐ</em> méi qù shàngkè.</span><span class="trans">Since he was sick, he didn't go to class.</span>
* <em>因为</em> 他 没有 钱,<em>所以</em> 找 不 到 女朋友。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> tā méiyǒu qián, <em>suǒyǐ</em> zhǎo bù dào nǚpéngyou. </span> <span class="trans">He doesn't have any money, so he can't find a girlfriend. </span>
+
* <em>因为</em> 我 很 累,<em>所以</em> 休息。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> wǒ hěn lèi, <em>suǒyǐ</em> yào xiūxi.</span><span class="trans">I'm very tired, so I want to rest.</span>
* 奶奶 <em>因为</em> 太 老 了,<em>所以</em> 不能 坐 飞机。<span class="pinyin">Nǎinai <em>yīnwèi</em> tài lǎo le, <em>suǒyǐ</em>  bù néng zuò fēijī. </span> <span class="trans">Since grandma is too old, she can't take an airplane. </span>
+
* <em>因为</em> 太 远 了,<em>所以</em> 想 去。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> tài yuǎn le, <em>suǒyǐ</em> xiǎng qù.</span><span class="trans">Since it's too far, I don't want to go.</span>
*  老师 <em>因为</em> 生病 了,<em>所以</em> 不能 来 上课。<span class="pinyin">Lǎoshī <em>yīnwèi</em> shēngbìng le, <em>suǒyǐ</em> bù néng lái shàngkè. </span> <span class="trans">Since the teacher is sick, she can't come to the class. </span>
+
* <em>因为</em> 太 忙, <em>所以</em> 我们 没有 时间 吃 中饭。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> tài máng, <em>suǒyǐ</em> wǒmen méiyǒu shíjiān chī zhōngfàn.</span><span class="trans">We were too busy, so none of us had time to eat lunch.</span>
* <em>因为</em> 我 很 累,<em>所以</em> 休息。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> wǒ hěn lèi, <em>suǒyǐ</em> xiǎng xiūxi. </span> <span class="trans">I'm very tired, so I want to rest. </span>
 
* <em>因为</em> 你 不 是 我,<em>所以</em> 明白。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> nǐ bù shì wǒ, <em>suǒyǐ</em> míngbai. </span> <span class="trans">Since you aren't me, you don't understand. </span>
 
* <em>因为</em> 老板 今天 不 在,<em>所以</em> 请 你 明天 来。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> lǎobǎn jīntiān bù zài, <em>suǒyǐ</em>  qǐng nǐ míngtiān lái. </span> <span class="trans">Since the boss isn't here, please come tomorrow. </span>
 
* <em>因为</em> 他爸爸 死了,<em>所以</em> 他 很 难过。<span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> tā bàba sǐ le, <em>suǒyǐ</em> tā hěn nánguò. </span> <span class="trans">His dad is dead, so he is very sad. </span>
 
* <em>因为</em> 太忙, <em>所以</em> 我们 没有 时间 吃 中饭。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Yīnwèi</em> tài máng, <em>suǒyǐ</em> wǒmen dōu méiyǒu shíjiān chī zhōngfàn.</span> <span class="trans">We were too busy, so none of us had time to eat lunch.</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==See also==
+
== See also ==
  
 
*[[Stating the effect before the cause]] (advanced article)
 
*[[Stating the effect before the cause]] (advanced article)
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide]] (pp. 272-4) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 →buy]
+
{{Source|HSK Standard Course 2|44}}
* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (p. 79) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 →buy]
+
{{Source|Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide|272-4}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (p. 108) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
+
{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|79}}
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|108}}
 +
{{Source|现代汉语虚词例释|482}}
  
 
===Websites===
 
===Websites===
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[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 +
{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
 +
{{Basic Grammar|因为|A2|因为⋯⋯ 所以⋯⋯|<em>因为</em> 饿 了,<em>所以</em> 吃饭。|grammar point|ASGTDUJO}}
 +
{{Rel char|所以}}
 +
{{Rel char|以}}
 
{{Similar|Stating the Effect before the Cause}}
 
{{Similar|Stating the Effect before the Cause}}
 
{{Similar|"Then…" with "name"}}     
 
{{Similar|"Then…" with "name"}}     
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{{Similar|"Since" with "jiran"}}   
 
{{Similar|"Since" with "jiran"}}   
 
{{Similar|"Therefore" with "yinci"}}
 
{{Similar|"Therefore" with "yinci"}}
{{Basic Grammar|因为|A2|因为... 所以...|<em>因为</em> 饿 了,<em>所以</em> 吃饭。|grammar point|ASGTDUJO}}
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{{Similar|Expressing "as a result" with "jieguo"}}
{{Rel char|所以}}
+
{{Similar|Express an action and its effect by using "tongguo… shi"}}
{{Rel char|}}
 
 
{{Used for|Expressing result}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing result}}
 
{{Used for|Indicating cause and effect}}
 
{{Used for|Indicating cause and effect}}

Latest revision as of 08:57, 21 April 2021

You will often come across 因为⋯⋯所以⋯⋯ (yīnwèi... suǒyǐ...) in both written and spoken Chinese. This pattern will give your Chinese a clear logical structure, and can help make you more persuasive.

Using 因为 (yīnwèi) by Itself to Explain Causes

A common way to explain causes in Chinese is with 因为 (yīnwèi). This is equivalent to "because" in English. Usually 因为 (yīnwèi) will begin a new phrase in a sentence.

Structure

In this structure, we first state the result, and then give the reason in the next statement after the 因为 (yīnwèi).

Result, 因为 + Reason

Examples

  • 他 学 得 很 快 ,因为 他 很 聪明 。Tā xué de hěn kuài, yīnwèi tā hěn cōngming.He learns fast because he is smart.
  • 我 爱 吃 四川 菜 ,因为 很 辣 。 Wǒ ài chī Sìchuān cài, yīnwèi hěn là. I love eating Sichuan food because it's very spicy.
  • 我 在 学习 中文 ,因为 我 想 去 中国 。Wǒ zài xuéxí Zhōngwén, yīnwèi wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó.I am studying Chinese because I want to go to China.
  • 我 不 喜欢 她 ,因为 她 不 友好 。Wǒ bù xǐhuan tā, yīnwèi tā bù yǒuhǎo.I don't like her because she is very unfriendly.
  • 今天 我们 很 忙 ,因为 有 很 多 工作 。Jīntiān wǒmen hěn máng, yīnwèi yǒu hěn duō gōngzuò. We are very busy today because we have lots of work.

Using 所以 (suǒyǐ) by Itself to Explain Results

Just as 因为 (yīnwèi) can be used to explain causes, 所以 (suǒyǐ) can be used to explain results. This is the equivalent of "so…" or "therefore…" in English.

Structure

This pattern is similar to the expression using both 因为 (yīnwèi) and 所以 (suǒyǐ), but it leaves out the beginning 因为 (yīnwèi). This structure is more informal.

Reason, 所以 + Result

Examples

  • 汉字 太 难 了,所以 我 不 想 学 。Hànzì tài nán le, suǒyǐ wǒ bù xiǎng xué.Chinese characters are too hard, so I don't want to study them.
  • 她 很 漂亮,所以 很 多 男孩 喜欢 她。Tā hěn piàoliang, suǒyǐ hěn duō nánhái xǐhuan tā.She is beautiful, so a lot of boys like her.
  • 他 找到 工作 了, 所以 很 高兴。Tā zhǎodào gōngzuò le, suǒyǐ hěn gāoxìng.He found a job so he's happy.
  • 我 太 忙 了,所以 没有 时间 给 你 打 电话。Wǒ tài máng le, suǒyǐ méiyǒu shíjiān gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.I was too busy, so I didn't have time to give you a call.
  • 我们 公司 有 很 多 外国人,所以 我们 要 说 英文。Wǒmen gōngsī yǒu hěn duō wàiguó rén, suǒyǐ wǒmen yào shuō Yīngwén.There are a lot of foreigners in our company, so we need to speak English.

Using 因为 (yīnwèi) and 所以 (suǒyǐ) Together

The full pattern 因为……所以…… (yīnwèi... suǒyǐ...) is used to clearly indicate cause and effect. They could be thought of as equating to: "Since ___ happened, so ___ happened." It sounds weird to use both "since" and "so" in one sentence in English, but it makes everything crystal clear in Chinese.

Structure

因为 + Cause, 所以 + Effect

This expresses that because of cause, therefore there is a result.

Examples

  • 因为 我 有 一个 中国 女朋友,所以 我 要 学 中文。Yīnwèi wǒ yǒu yī gè Zhōngguó nǚpéngyou, suǒyǐ wǒ yào xué Zhōngwén.Since I have a Chinese girlfriend, I need to study Chinese.
  • 因为 他 生病 了,所以 没 去 上课。 Yīnwèi tā shēngbìng le, suǒyǐ méi qù shàngkè.Since he was sick, he didn't go to class.
  • 因为 我 很 累,所以 要 休息。Yīnwèi wǒ hěn lèi, suǒyǐ yào xiūxi.I'm very tired, so I want to rest.
  • 因为 太 远 了,所以 我 不 想 去。Yīnwèi tài yuǎn le, suǒyǐ wǒ bù xiǎng qù.Since it's too far, I don't want to go.
  • 因为 太 忙, 所以 我们 没有 时间 吃 中饭。 Yīnwèi tài máng, suǒyǐ wǒmen méiyǒu shíjiān chī zhōngfàn.We were too busy, so none of us had time to eat lunch.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites