HSK 2
因果复句
yīn guǒ fù jù
Cause-and-effect sentences (因果复句)
Explanation
Cause-and-effect complex sentence (因果复句 — a complex sentence with a clause indicating the CAUSE and a clause indicating the RESULT).
(1) Without connectives: [Cause]，[Result] — the first clause is the reason, the second is the result: 那个学生病了，没来上课 (That student got sick and didn't come to class). (2) Using a pair of conjunctions (words that link clauses): 因为 yīnwèi (because)...，所以 suǒyǐ (therefore)...
When explaining the reason that leads to a result. To make the cause-effect relationship clear, use the pair 因为...所以...
In Chinese, 因为 and 所以 can be used BOTH at once in a single sentence — this differs from English (which does not use both 'because' and 'so').
Vietnamese learners (used to English) often drop 所以 thinking 'since there's a because, there's no need for a so'; in Chinese, using the full pair 因为...所以... is normal and natural. You also need to put 因为 in the cause clause and 所以 in the result clause, without reversing them.
Examples
(1) Without connectives
I'm too busy today; I haven't even eaten lunch.
That student got sick and didn't come to class.
(2) Using connectives: 因为 (because)..., 所以 (therefore)...
Because I'm very tired, I don't want to cook today.
Because there's an exam tomorrow, I want to go to sleep a bit early.
Practice
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Learn “因果复句” effectively
The grammar point “因果复句” (Cause-and-effect sentences (因果复句)) is one of the key structures at HSK 2. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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