因為

Because

Level 1Sounds Like jan1 wai6

Use 因為 (jan1 wai6) to state a reason. Place it before the result clause ('Because..., so...'), or after the result clause ('...because...'), where adding 係 (hai6) beforehand adds emphasis ('...is because...').

How It Works

因為 (jan1 wai6) is the primary word for 'because' or 'since' in Cantonese.

1. Stating the Reason First
In a standard cause-and-effect sentence, 因為 introduces the reason clause first. It is often paired with 所以 (so2 ji5, 'so / therefore') introducing the result:

Example: 因為落雨，所以我哋唔出街。(Because it's raining, we aren't going out.)

2. Stating the Result First
You can also place the main event or result clause first, followed by 因為 to explain why:

Example: 我遲到因為塞車。(I was late because of traffic.)

3. Emphasizing the Reason with 係 (hai6)
When putting the reason after the result, you can optionally add the copula 係 (hai6, 'to be') before 因為 for extra emphasis ('...is because...'):

Example: 我遲到係因為塞車。(I was late—[it] is because of traffic.)

4. Conversational Flexibility
In Cantonese, either 因為 or 所以 can be omitted if the context makes the causal relationship obvious.

Examples (4)

  1. 因為今日落大雨，所以我哋唔去行山喇。

    Because it's raining heavily today, we're not going hiking.

    Word by Word: Because today drop big rain, so we not go walk mountain [particle]

    Standard forward cause-and-effect pattern pairing 因為 (jan1 wai6) with 所以 (so2 ji5).

  2. 我咁快講完係因為趕時間。

    I finished speaking so quickly because I'm in a rush.

    Word by Word: I so fast speak finished is because rush time

    Trailing explanation structure putting the result first, using 係因為 (hai6 jan1 wai6) to mean 'is because'.

  3. 佢今日冇嚟返工，係因為病咗。

    He didn't come to work today because he got sick.

    Word by Word: He today not come return work, is because sick [aspect]

    Another natural spoken example of placing the action first and trailing the explanation with 係因為 (hai6 jan1 wai6).

  4. 因為我唔識路，所以要問人。

    Because I don't know the way, I need to ask someone.

    Word by Word: Because I not know road, so need ask person

    Clear cause-and-effect structure showing non-completion of spatial knowledge leading to an action.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting 所以 (so2 ji5) into trailing reason clauses alongside 因為 (jan1 wai6).

    我唔去，所以因為落雨。
    我唔去，係因為落雨。

    所以 (so2 ji5) means 'so / therefore' and introduces a result clause. Do not combine 所以 with 因為 when stating a trailing reason.

  • Reversing the placement of 因為 (jan1 wai6) and 所以 (so2 ji5).

    所以落雨，因為我哋唔出街。
    因為落雨，所以我哋唔出街。

    因為 (jan1 wai6) marks the cause ('because...'), while 所以 (so2 ji5) marks the result ('so...'). Swapping their positions reverses the intended meaning.

How It Connects

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因為Level 1Because

Learn This First

To use '因為' (because) effectively, a learner needs to be comfortable with basic Cantonese word order and the copula '係', as reasons are often framed as 'The reason [is] because...'. It is also helpful to understand the corresponding question word '點解' (why).

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因为