Ch 23 · Lesson 9Mandarin · Chapter 23 · Lesson 9 · Grammar primer
所有, 所以, 所谓 and 之所以
The same hides in (all), (so) and (so-called); and written Chinese gives the reason last with …….
The short version
。Suǒyǒu de xuésheng dōu lái le.
Why?Hide
Three everyday words carry the same (suǒ): (suǒyǒu), all, usually with (dōu) before the verb; (suǒyǐ), so; and (suǒwèi), so-called, which can raise an eyebrow just as in English: (tā nàxiē suǒwèi de péngyou), those so-called friends of his.
所 (suǒ) inside everyday words
Three everyday words carry the same (suǒ), fused in so long ago that nobody hears it:
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
。 | Suǒyǒu de xuésheng dōu lái le. | All the students came |
，。 | Tā bìng le, suǒyǐ méi lái. | He was ill, so he didn't come |
。 | Suǒwèi de hǎo xiāoxi qíshí shì huài xiāoxi. | The so-called good news is bad news |
(suǒyǒu), all, usually brings (dōu) before the verb. (suǒwèi), so-called, can introduce a term neutrally or raise an eyebrow, as in English: (tā nàxiē suǒwèi de péngyou), those so-called friends of his.
之所以 (zhī suǒyǐ): the reason why
Written Chinese can put the result first and the reason second with …… (zhī suǒyǐ… shì yīnwèi…):
，。(Tā zhī suǒyǐ méi lái, shì yīnwèi tā bìng le.) - The reason he didn't come is that he was ill.，。(Yīnwèi tā bìng le, suǒyǐ tā méi lái.) - He was ill, so he didn't come.
The second is the everyday version; the first belongs in an essay.
Going further: The whole system on one screen and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
Practise this lesson
8-question session
One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
Mandarin · Free printables
Worksheets for this lesson
Worksheets with answer keys built in. Open any one to view, print or save.
Free for members
The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.
Start your free weekLesson 9 of 28 in this chapter