Expressing "since" with "jiran"

Revision as of 01:57, 17 November 2011 by Jonathan.pope (talk | contribs)

既然 (jìrán) means "since", and is often followed by 就 to mean "since...then...". It is used like this:

既然 + fact + 那/就/那就 + suggestion/inference

This construction is not generally used to express a result, but more of a suggestion or inference deduced from the first fact.

Here are some examples:

  • 既然 刚生 了 孩子, 她 一定 很 累 吧。 (an inference)
  • 他 的 关系 既然 那么 硬, 他 肯定 能 给 我们 帮忙 吧。(an inference)
  • 既然 那么 有 钱, 干嘛 不 把 一部分 财产 捐 给 慈善 机构 呢?(a suggestion)
  • 既然 大家 的 意见 一致, 最好 趁早 行动!(a suggestion)
  • 既然 不 想 说,那就 算了 吧。(a suggestion)

See also

Sources and further reading

Books