既然

Since/given That

Level 4Sounds Like gei3 jin4

既然 (gei3 jin4) means "since" or "given that." It is used when a situation is already settled or known, and you want to propose the next logical step based on that fact.

How It Works

既然 (gei3 jin4) is a powerful tool for making arguments or giving advice in Cantonese. It is highly common in both daily conversation and professional settings.

1. Sentence Structure
The pattern usually starts the sentence. The subject can go before or after 既然:

  • 既然 + Subject + [Premise]...
  • Subject + 既然 + [Premise]...

2. The Logical Link
In Cantonese, the second clause (the conclusion) often has a connecting word to feel complete, though it is not required (see the first example). The most common are:

3. Nuance vs. Because
You cannot use 既然 to answer a "Why?" question. It is only used when the reason is already accepted as a fact by both the speaker and the listener. It focuses on the inference drawn from the fact, not the cause of the fact itself.

Examples (4)

  1. 既然你決定咗，我無謂多講。

    Since you've decided, there's no point in me saying more.

    Word by Word: Since you decide [perfective], I no-point more speak.

    Here, the decision is a settled fact, so the speaker uses 既然 to justify stopping the conversation.

  2. 既然你嚟到，不如食埋飯先走啦。

    Since you're already here, why not have dinner before you leave?

    Word by Word: Since you come-arrive, why-not eat [completive] rice first leave [particle].

    The premise is the person's arrival. The speaker uses 不如...啦 to make a suggestion based on that premise.

  3. 既然佢唔聽電話，咪遲啲再打過囉。

    Since he’s not answering the phone, then just call back later (obviously).

    Word by Word: Since he not listen phone, then just late a-bit again call [particle].

    This uses the highly colloquial 咪...囉 (mai6... lo1) structure to suggest a logical, obvious next step.

  4. 既然係噉，我哋聽日再傾過。

    Since that's the case, let's talk again tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Since is so, we tomorrow again talk [particle].

    既然係噉 (gei3 jin4 hai6 gam2) is a very common set phrase meaning 'Since it's like that' or 'In that case'.

Common Mistakes

  • Pairing 既然 with 所以 (so2 ji5).

    既然你唔去，所以我都唔去。
    既然你唔去，我就唔去。

    Learners often carry over the 因為...所以... pattern. However, 既然 should be paired with 就 (zau6) or 咪 (mai6), not 所以.

  • Omitting the correlative adverb (like 就 or 咪) in the second clause.

    Different Meaning既然你唔去，我唔去。
    既然你唔去，我咪唔去囉。

    既然 is usually followed by a word like 就 (zau6) or 咪 (mai6) that marks the result. Without one the sentence is still understood but sounds bare.

  • Using 既然 to answer a 'Why' question.

    問：你點解唔食？答：既然我飽。
    問：你點解唔食？答：因為我飽。

    既然 is for premises, not for providing new reasons. Use 因為 (jan1 wai6) to explain why something happened.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

既然Level 4Since/given That

Learn This First

既然 is a formal conjunction used to introduce a premise or a known fact ('since' or 'given that'). To use it effectively, learners should already be comfortable with basic Cantonese cause-and-effect structures and how to link two clauses using adverbs like 就.

Words in This Pattern

既然