所以

suǒ yǐ

HSK 2.0 Level 2 HSK 3.0 Level 2 Conjunction Very common

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Definitions

1. therefore
2. as a result
3. so
4. the reason why

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 因为 yīn wèi 因为 yīn wèi because 表示原因，与“所以”搭配构成因果复句: because

Related words

1 item

• 之所以 zhī suǒ yǐ 之所以 zhī suǒ yǐ (after a noun N and before a predicate P) the reason why N P 用于“之所以……是因为……”句式，强调原因: (after a noun N and before a predicate P) the reason why N P

Synonyms

2 items

• 因此 yīn cǐ 因此 yīn cǐ thus; consequently; as a result 表示结果或结论，多用于书面语: thus; consequently; as a result
• 于是 yú shì 于是 yú shì thereupon; as a result; consequently; thus; hence 表示后一事承接前一事，前后有承接关系: thereupon; as a result; consequently; thus; hence

Usage notes

Collocations

“所以”常与“因为”或“由于”配对使用：因为……所以……；由于……所以……。

Common mistakes

“所以”不能和“原因”搭配，比如不能说“原因……所以……”；只能说“因为……所以……”或者“（之）所以……是因为……”。

Grammar

Guides that feature 所以

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1 guide

HSK 2.0 Level 3+ HSK 3.0 Level 3+ 6 min

因为...所以...

Build clear cause-and-effect sentences for explanations and excuses.

Reading: suǒ yǐ Open guide

Example Sentences

5 shown

我感冒了， 所以 要忌口，不吃辣的。

I have a cold, so I need to avoid certain foods and not eat spicy things.

他生病了， 所以 今天没来上课。

He fell ill, so he didn't come to class today.

今天我值班， 所以 不能早回家。

I'm on duty today, so I can't go home early.

他很少出门， 所以 有点孤陋寡闻。

He rarely goes out, so he is a bit ill-informed and narrow-minded.

他欠缺经验， 所以 工作很吃力。

He lacks experience, so the work is very strenuous for him.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 所以

• 之所以 之所以 zhī suǒ yǐ: (after a noun N and before a predicate P) the reason why N P
• 不知所以 不知所以 bù zhī suǒ yǐ: to not know the reason
• 忘乎所以 忘乎所以 wàng hū suǒ yǐ: to get carried away
• 忘其所以 忘其所以 wàng qí suǒ yǐ: see 忘乎所以[wàng hū suǒ yǐ]
• 所以然 所以然 suǒ yǐ rán: the reason why
• 知其然而不知其所以然 知其然而不知其所以然 zhī qí rán ér bù zhī qí suǒ yǐ rán: to know that it is so but not why it is so (idiom)

Child Words of 所以

• 以 以 yǐ: to use
• 所 所 suǒ: actually