HSK 4 · VERSION 2.0#69

Expressing “Therefore” with “yīncǐ”

因此

yīncǐ

How it works

因此 (yīncǐ) means “therefore,” “thus,” or “for this reason.” It introduces the result based on the previous cause.

This word is formal and common in writing, reports, and organized explanation.

他生病了，因此不能来上课。

Tā shēngbìng le, yīncǐ bù néng lái shàngkè.

He got sick; therefore, he cannot come to class.

这个方法不合适，因此我们换了一个。

Zhège fāngfǎ bù héshì, yīncǐ wǒmen huàn le yí ge.

This method was not suitable; therefore, we changed it.

大家准备得很充分，因此结果很好。

Dàjiā zhǔnbèi de hěn chōngfèn, yīncǐ jiéguǒ hěn hǎo.

Everyone prepared well; therefore, the result was good.

因此 (yīncǐ) is much more formal than simple 所以 (suǒyǐ).