Ch 32 · Lesson 17Mandarin · Chapter 32 · Lesson 17 · Grammar primer
既然…就: since that is the case
，: starts from a fact you both accept and draws the conclusion. gives a cause instead.
The short version
，。Jìrán nǐ lái le, jiù duō zuò yíhuìr ba.
Why?Hide
(jìrán) means 'since that is the case': it starts from a fact the listener already accepts, and the second half, with (jiù), makes a suggestion or decision. (yīnwèi) gives a cause and pairs with (suǒyǐ); (jìrán) does not.
既然 (jìrán)…就 (jiù): since that is the case
(jìrán) opens with a fact both speakers already accept. The second half draws the conclusion, and (jiù) sits in it after the subject, before the verb. That conclusion is usually a suggestion, a decision or a question.
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
，。 | Jìrán nǐ lái le, jiù duō zuò yíhuìr ba. | Since you're here, stay a while |
，。 | Jìrán nǐ bù xǐhuan, jiù bié mǎi le. | Since you don't like it, don't buy it |
，。 | Jìrán dàjiā dōu tóngyì, wǒmen jiù zhème bàn. | Since everyone agrees, that's what we'll do |
，？ | Jìrán nǐ zhīdào, wèishénme bù gàosu wǒ? | You knew, so why didn't you tell me? |
Two things the table cannot show:
- (jiù) follows the second subject:
(wǒmen jiù zhème bàn), never. A question in the second half, like the last row, usually has no. - (jìrán) can follow the subject when both clauses share it:
，。(Nǐ jìrán lái le, jiù duō zuò yíhuìr ba.)
既然 (jìrán) or 因为 (yīnwèi)?
Both translate as "since" or "because", and they do different jobs. (yīnwèi) explains why something happened. (jìrán) takes something both people know and says what follows from it.
| Point | 因为 yīnwèi | 既然 jìrán |
|---|---|---|
| First half | the cause, often news | a fact both of you accept |
| Partner word | (suǒyǐ) | (jiù) |
| Second half | a result, a report | a suggestion, decision or question |
| Order | can come second | usually first |
，。(Yīnwèi xià yǔ, wǒmen zuótiān méi qù.) - We didn't go yesterday because it rained.，。(Jìrán xià yǔ le, wǒmen jiù bié qù le.) - Since it's raining, let's not go.
Same rain, two jobs. The first reports what happened and why; the second proposes what to do about it.
Mistakes English speakers make
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
，。 | ，。 | (dànshì) cannot answer (búshì) |
，。 | ，。 | (jìrán) pairs with (jiù) |
，。 | ，。 | (jiù) goes after the subject |
Going further: The whole system on one screen and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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