HSK 4 grammar · new HSK syllabus
既然…就…: since, now that
既然 A 就 B = since A is the case, B: 既然你不舒服，就别去了.
Structure
- 既然 + known fact，(subject) + 就 + conclusion
How it works
既然 introduces a fact both speakers accept and draws a conclusion from it: 既然来了，就多住几天吧.
It differs from 因为: 因为 gives a reason; 既然 accepts a situation and suggests what follows.
Examples
-
既然你不舒服，就别去上班了。
Jìrán nǐ bù shūfu, jiù bié qù shàngbān le.
Since you’re not feeling well, don’t go to work.
-
既然来了，就多住几天吧。
Jìrán lái le, jiù duō zhù jǐ tiān ba.
Now that you’re here, stay a few more days.
-
既然你已经决定了，我就不说什么了。
Jìrán nǐ yǐjīng juédìng le, wǒ jiù bù shuō shénme le.
Since you’ve decided, I won’t say anything more.
-
既然这么喜欢，就买吧。
Jìrán zhème xǐhuan, jiù mǎi ba.
If you like it that much, buy it.
-
既然时间不多了，我们就快一点儿。
Jìrán shíjiān bù duō le, wǒmen jiù kuài yìdiǎnr.
Since there isn’t much time left, let’s hurry.
Words in these examples (27)
| 既然 | jìrán | since; now that | HSK 4 |
| 你 | nǐ | you | HSK 1 |
| 不 | bù | not; no | HSK 1 |
| 舒服 | shūfu | comfortable; feeling well | HSK 2 |
| 就 | jiù | then; just; right away; only | HSK 2 |
| 别 | bié | don't | HSK 2 |
| 去 | qù | to go | HSK 1 |
| 上班 | shàngbān | to go to work | HSK 1 |
| 了 | le | (particle marking a completed action or a change) | HSK 1 |
| 来 | lái | to come | HSK 1 |
| 多 | duō | many; much; (in questions) how | HSK 1 |
| 住 | zhù | to live (somewhere); to stay | HSK 1 |
| 几 | jǐ | how many (usually under ten); a few | HSK 1 |
| 天 | tiān | day; sky | HSK 1 |
| 吧 | ba | (particle for suggestions: "let's…", "…, OK?") | HSK 1 |
| 已经 | yǐjīng | already | HSK 2 |
| 决定 | juédìng | to decide; decision | HSK 3 |
| 我 | wǒ | I; me | HSK 1 |
| 说 | shuō | to say; to speak | HSK 1 |
| 什么 | shénme | what | HSK 1 |
| 这么 | zhème | so; this (much) | HSK 2 |
| 喜欢 | xǐhuan | to like | HSK 1 |
| 买 | mǎi | to buy | HSK 1 |
| 时间 | shíjiān | time | HSK 1 |
| 我们 | wǒmen | we; us | HSK 1 |
| 快 | kuài | fast; quick; soon | HSK 2 |
| 一点儿 | yìdiǎnr | a little; a bit | HSK 1 |
Common mistakes
-
✗既然你不舒服，所以别去了。
✓既然你不舒服，就别去了。
既然 pairs with 就.
-
✗既然明天可能下雨，就…
✓如果明天下雨，就…
既然 is for known facts, not possibilities.
Check yourself
Choose the word that fills the gap.
1. 既然大家都同意，我们 这样做吧。
2. 你已经知道了，我就不说了。
3. 既然你喜欢， 多吃点儿。