之所以

zhī suǒ yǐ

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Conjunction Common

Definitions

1. (after a noun N and before a predicate P) the reason why N P
2. Example: 我之所以討厭他|我之所以讨厌他[wǒ zhī suǒ yǐ tǎo yàn tā] \the reason why I dislike him (is ...)\

Word relationships

Related words

3 items

• 因为 yīn wèi 因为 yīn wèi because Used to introduce the reason; often paired with 之所以 in the structure 之所以...是因为...: because
• 因此 yīn cǐ 因此 yīn cǐ thus; consequently; as a result Used to introduce a result; differs from 之所以 which introduces a reason: thus; consequently; as a result
• 由于 yóu yú 由于 yóu yú due to Similar to 因为, also used to introduce reasons; often interchangeable but slightly more formal: due to

Usage notes

Collocations

之所以 is always followed by a reason, typically structured as 之所以...是因为... (the reason why ... is because ...).

Common mistakes

Do not confuse 之所以 with 所以; 所以 introduces a result, while 之所以 introduces a reason and is followed by 是因为.

Example Sentences

1 shown

我 之所以 学中文，是因为我喜欢中国文化。

The reason I study Chinese is that I like Chinese culture.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 之所以

• 之 之 zhī: (possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de])
• 以 以 yǐ: to use
• 所 所 suǒ: actually
• 所以 所以 suǒ yǐ: therefore