所以 suǒyǐ — so, therefore
suǒyǐ (third tone, dipping)suo3yi3
so, therefore
HSK 2· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 2· Three-band, nine-level standardconjunction
Meanings
so, therefore
Opens the clause that states the result. Chinese keeps both halves of 因为… 所以…, and the reason comes first: 因为下雨，所以我们没去.
conjunction
Example sentences
- 我很忙，所以没时间玩。我很忙，所以沒時間玩。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) hěn (third tone, dipping) máng, (second tone, rising) suǒyǐ (third tone, dipping) méi (second tone, rising) shíjiān (second tone, rising) wán. (second tone, rising)···
I’m busy, so I haven’t time to go out.
- 因为他生病了，所以今天没来上课。因為他生病了，所以今天沒來上課。Yīnwèi (first tone, high and level) tā (first tone, high and level) shēngbìng (first tone, high and level) le, (neutral tone) suǒyǐ (third tone, dipping) jīntiān (first tone, high and level) méi (second tone, rising) lái (second tone, rising) shàng (fourth tone, falling) kè. (fourth tone, falling)···
He didn’t come to class today because he was ill.
Common mistakes
Not quite所以我没去，因为下雨。
Correct因为下雨，所以我没去。
Chinese puts the reason before the result. Opening with 所以 and explaining afterwards reverses the natural order and leaves the listener waiting.