Lessons 27–28: Complex sentences: 因为……所以……, 要是……就……, 虽然……但是……

Three common pairs of connectives: cause – result, supposition – result, concession.

Hanyu textbook · Hanyu 2 · Lesson 27 · Hanyu 2 · Lesson 28

他虽然学的时间不长，但是学得很好。

Tā suīrán xué de shíjiān bù cháng, dànshì xué de hěn hǎo.

Although he hasn't studied for long, he studies very well.

Explanation

因为……所以…… is used to link a cause-and-effect complex sentence, expressing the cause and the result of something. 因为 and 所以 can both also be used on their own: 因为 gives the cause, 所以 gives the result.

要是……(的话)，就…… is used to link a complex sentence, expressing a result produced under a hypothetical situation (if… then…).

虽然……但是…… is used to link two clauses, expressing a concessive (contrast) relationship: first affirm and admit the fact after 虽然, then bring out the point after 但是. 但是 can be used on its own.

Structure

1
因为nguyên nhân，所以kết quả
因为 and 所以 can both be used on their own: 因为 gives the cause, 所以 gives the result.
- 他因为病了，所以没有来上课。
  Tā yīnwèi bìng le, suǒyǐ méiyǒu lái shàngkè.
  He didn't come to class because he was sick.
- 他因为要在中国工作，所以学习汉语。
  Tā yīnwèi yào zài Zhōngguó gōngzuò, suǒyǐ xuéxí Hànyǔ.
  He is studying Chinese because he will work in China.
- 因为她学习很努力，所以学得很好。
  Yīnwèi tā xuéxí hěn nǔlì, suǒyǐ xué de hěn hǎo.
  She studies very hard, so she does very well.
- 因为下雨，下午我们不去公园了。
  Yīnwèi xiàyǔ, xiàwǔ wǒmen bú qù gōngyuán le.
  It's raining, so we aren't going to the park this afternoon after all.
- 我觉得很寂寞，所以常常想家。
  Wǒ juéde hěn jìmò, suǒyǐ chángcháng xiǎng jiā.
  I feel very lonely, so I often miss home.
2
要是giả thiết (的话)，就kết quả
A result produced under a hypothetical situation.
- 要是你来，就给我打个电话，我去车站接你。
  Yàoshi nǐ lái, jiù gěi wǒ dǎ ge diànhuà, wǒ qù chēzhàn jiē nǐ.
  If you come, call me and I'll meet you at the station.
- 要是想家，就给妈妈打个电话。
  Yàoshi xiǎng jiā, jiù gěi māma dǎ ge diànhuà.
  If you miss home, call your mom.
- 要是你去，我就去。
  Yàoshi nǐ qù, wǒ jiù qù.
  If you go, I'll go.
3
虽然phân câu 1，但是phân câu 2
Concessive relationship: admit the fact after 虽然, stress the point after 但是; 但是 can be used on its own.
- 他虽然学的时间不长，但是学得很好。
  Tā suīrán xué de shíjiān bù cháng, dànshì xué de hěn hǎo.
  Although he hasn't studied for long, he studies very well.
- 外边虽然很冷，但是屋子里很暖和。
  Wàibian suīrán hěn lěng, dànshì wūzi lǐ hěn nuǎnhuo.
  It's very cold outside, but it's very warm in the room.
- 我也想家，但是我不感到寂寞。
  Wǒ yě xiǎng jiā, dànshì wǒ bù gǎndào jìmò.
  I miss home too, but I don't feel lonely.

Practice

22 questions in 2 sets. One at a time, checked instantly, with explanations.

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