所以

So/therefore

Level 1Sounds Like so2 ji5

Use 所以 (so2 ji5) to state a result or consequence. It introduces the second clause in a cause-and-effect relationship ('so / therefore / that's why').

How It Works

1. Basic Meaning & Position
所以 (so2 ji5) is a causal conjunction meaning 'so', 'therefore', or 'that's why'. It attaches at the clause level and sits directly before the result or action taking place:
• [Cause / Reason], 所以 [Result / Action]
Example: 佢病咗，所以冇返工 (keoi5 beng6 zo2, so2 ji5 mou5 faan1 gung1 - 'He got sick, so he didn't go to work').

2. Paired Frame with 因為 (jan1 wai6)
You can explicitly frame both cause and effect using 因為 (jan1 wai6, 'because') together with 所以 (so2 ji5, 'so'):
• 因為 [Cause]，所以 [Result]
While English avoids saying 'Because..., so...', pairing 因為...所以... in Cantonese is completely natural and standard.

3. Starting a New Sentence or Turn
Placing 所以 at the beginning of a statement or conversational response functions like 'That's why...' or 'So...' to draw a logical conclusion from prior context.

4. Key Rules to Avoid Mistakes

  • Cannot end a sentence: Unlike English ('I was tired, so.'), Cantonese 所以 does not end a clause by itself; it must directly precede the result (the fixed reply 所以囉, 'that's why', is a separate phrase).
  • Conditionals vs Causes: Do not use 所以 in hypothetical 'if' sentences. Use 就 (zau6) after 如果 (jyu4 gwo2, 'if') instead.

Examples (4)

  1. 佢病咗，所以冇返工。

    He got sick, so he didn't go to work.

    Word by Word: He sick [past], so not go to work.

    A simple cause-and-effect sentence where 所以 introduces the result of being sick.

  2. 今日我唔舒服，所以我唔嚟嘞。

    I don't feel well today, so I won't come.

    Word by Word: Today I not comfortable, so I not come [particle].

    所以 precedes the result clause to state the speaker's decision.

  3. 我肚餓，所以去食飯。

    I'm hungry, so I'm going to eat.

    Word by Word: I stomach hungry, so go eat rice.

    Connects an everyday reason (hungry) directly to an action (going to eat).

  4. 因為天黑，所以我哋要走嘞。

    Because it's getting dark, so we need to leave.

    Word by Word: Because sky dark, so we need leave [particle].

    Demonstrates the paired pattern 因為...所以... (because... so...).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 所以 instead of 就 in hypothetical 'if' statements.

    如果你有空，所以同我去食飯。
    如果你有空，就同我去食飯。

    Hypothetical situations ('if...') require 就 (zau6) in the result clause to mean 'then'. 所以 is strictly for actual logical cause-and-effect.

  • Placing 所以 at the very end of a sentence.

    我好攰，所以。
    我好攰，所以想休息。

    Unlike English trailing 'so', Cantonese 所以 must be followed by a complete result clause.

  • Swapping the cause and the result clauses.

    所以佢冇返工，佢病咗。
    佢病咗，所以佢冇返工。

    所以 must introduce the result clause, not the cause clause.

How It Connects

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

所以Level 1So/therefore

Learn This First

To use '所以' (so/therefore), a learner needs to be able to construct basic sentences using standard word order and pronouns. It is also helpful to understand the concept of cause and effect, which is often introduced alongside the question word for 'why' (點解).

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