HSK 4 · VERSION 2.0#31
Expressing “And Then” with “yúshì”
于是
How it works
于是 (yúshì) means “so,” “thereupon,” or “and then.” It is used to introduce the next action or result after a previous situation.
Compared with 所以 (suǒyǐ), 于是 (yúshì) often sounds more like a narrative step in a story or sequence of events.
The pattern
Clause 1, 于是 (yúshì) + Clause 2
Example sentences
天开始下雨了，于是我们回家了。
It started to rain, so we went home.
他想了很久，于是决定试一试。
He thought for a long time and then decided to give it a try.
我忘了带钥匙，于是给妈妈打电话。
I forgot to bring my keys, so I called my mother.
Key point
于是 (yúshì) is often used in storytelling, written Chinese, or more organized spoken explanation.