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HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min read

一来……二来…… and 一则……二则…… for Listing Reasons

Give two or three reasons for one decision with 一来……，二来……（，三来……）, or with the more formal 一则……，二则…….

Pattern

decision / fact，一来 + reason 1，二来 + reason 2（，三来 + reason 3）; 一则……，二则……（，三则……）

After you state a choice or a fact, number your reasons with 一来, 二来, 三来 (“for one thing …, for another …”). 一则, 二则, 三则 do the same job in a more formal, written style.

我选这家饭馆，一来离学校近，二来菜也不贵。

When to use 一来……二来…… and 一则……二则…… for Listing Reasons

First say what was decided or what happened, then list the reasons: ……，一来A，二来B. 我选这家饭馆，一来离学校近，二来菜也不贵 means “I chose this restaurant, for one thing because it’s near school, and for another because the food isn’t expensive.” For a third reason add 三来. 一则……，二则……，三则…… work exactly the same way but sound more formal, so they suit notices, reports and speeches. The reasons can also be purposes: 一来可以锻炼身体，二来可以节省时间.

他每天骑车上班，一来可以锻炼身体，二来可以节省时间，三来还很环保。

He cycles to work every day: it’s exercise, it saves time, and it’s good for the environment too.

这次运动会推迟举行，一则天气不好，二则场地还没有准备好。

The sports day has been postponed, firstly because of the bad weather and secondly because the grounds aren’t ready yet.

学校开设这门课，一则为了丰富同学们的课余生活，二则为了培养大家的动手能力。

The school is offering this course, firstly to enrich students’ free time and secondly to build their hands-on skills.

我们周末在家做饭吧，一来省钱，二来也更健康。

Let’s cook at home this weekend: it saves money, and it’s healthier too.

Common traps

  • Say 二来 and 三来 for the second and third reasons, not 两来 or 第二来.
  • Don’t mix the sets: 一来……二来…… or 一则……二则……, not 一来……二则…….
  • Use 一来……二来…… for reasons that support the same point; for two opposite sides, use 一方面……另一方面…….

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

他每天骑车上班，一来可以锻炼身体，二来可以节省时间， 还很环保

He cycles to work every day: it’s exercise, it saves time, and it’s good for the environment too
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