因為...所以...

Because...so...

Level 2Sounds Like jan1 wai6 . . . so2 ji5 . . .

Use 因為 (jan1 wai6) to introduce a reason and 所以 (so2 ji5) to introduce the result. Unlike English, it is standard and natural to use both in the same sentence.

How It Works

In Cantonese, expressing causality is most clearly done using the correlative conjunctions 因為 (jan1 wai6) and 所以 (so2 ji5).

1. Sentence Structure
The most common structure is:
因為 + [Reason], 所以 + [Result].
Example: 因為落雨，所以我唔去。(Because it's raining, [so] I'm not going.)

2. Subject Placement
The subject of the first clause is flexible. It can appear before or after 因為:

  • 因為我好忙... (Because I am busy...)
  • 我因為好忙... (I, because [I] am busy...)

In the second clause, the subject almost always follows 所以:

  • ...所以我唔去。 (...so I am not going.)

3. Register and Usage
While using both is the standard way to build fluency, native speakers often drop one of the two depending on which part they want to emphasize. You might hear just 因為 or just 所以. In casual speech, 所以 is frequently replaced by connectors like 就 (zau6) or 咪 (mai6) to link the result to the cause.

4. Answering Questions
When someone asks you 點解 (dim2 gaai2) 'Why?', you should start your answer with 因為, but you do not necessarily need to follow up with 所以 unless you are expanding on the consequence.

Examples (4)

  1. 因為落雨，所以我哋唔去行山。

    Because it's raining, (so) we aren't going hiking.

    Word by Word: Because fall rain, so we not go walk mountain.

    This is the most standard way to link the cause (rain) to the result (not hiking).

  2. 佢因為唔舒服，所以今日請咗假。

    Because he is not feeling well, (so) he took the day off today.

    Word by Word: He because not comfortable, so today request [perfective] leave.

    Here, the subject 佢 (keoi5) is placed before 因為 (jan1 wai6), which is a very natural variation.

  3. 因為聽日係假期，所以周圍都好多人。

    Because tomorrow is a holiday, (so) there are many people everywhere.

    Word by Word: Because tomorrow is holiday, so everywhere all very many people.

    Notice how 所以 (so2 ji5) leads the second clause to show the logical consequence of the holiday.

  4. 因為我好忙，所以我冇去到。

    Because I was very busy, so I didn't go.

    Word by Word: Because I very busy, so I not-have go-attain.

    Using both conjunctions makes the sentence sound complete and balanced.

Common Mistakes

  • Wondering whether leaving out 所以 is wrong.

    Different Meaning因為我好忙，我唔去。
    因為我好忙，所以我唔去。

    因為我好忙，我唔去 is natural. Speakers often drop 所以 (so2 ji5) or use 就 (zau6) instead. Including 所以 makes the cause and result clearer in a careful or written explanation.

  • Placing the subject before 'so' (so2 ji5).

    因為落雨，我所以唔去。
    因為落雨，所以我唔去。

    Unlike the first clause where the subject is flexible, in the second clause, the subject should follow 所以 (so2 ji5).

How It Connects

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

因為...所以...Level 2Because...so...

Learn This First

The pattern '因為...所以...' is a correlative conjunction structure. To use it correctly, you must first understand the individual meanings of '因為' (because) and '所以' (so/therefore) and how they function to link clauses.

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Words in This Pattern

因为