既然 … ，就 … (since / now that)
IntroducedBuild advice on an accepted premise
- A friend has arrived and you invite them to sit.
- since既然come来(completed / change)了，then就sit坐(suggestion)吧。 — The arrival is treated as the accepted basis for the invitation.
A friend has arrived and you invite them to sit. What does 既然来了，就坐吧。 communicate?
The arrival is treated as the accepted basis for the invitation. 因为 can introduce known as well as new causes. 既然 focuses on accepting a premise for a conclusion rather than a universal known-versus-new word division.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is since既然 … ，then就 … (since / now that). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
since既然you你come来了，then就sit坐吧。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: Since you're here, have a seat: 既然来了，____ 坐吧。
既然 … ，就 … = since …, then …: 既然来了,就坐吧.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, since既然come来(completed / change)了，then就sit坐(suggestion)吧。: The arrival is treated as the accepted basis for the invitation.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
既然 builds its conclusion on…
既然 accepts the premise for reasoning. 因为 can introduce known as well as new reasons, so the distinction is not an absolute known/new division.
Know the boundary
- because因为 can introduce known as well as new causes.
- since既然 focuses on accepting a premise for a conclusion rather than a universal known-versus-new word division.
既然 pairs with 就 to draw the conclusion.
Yes — 既然…，就… (since…, then…).
因为 can never introduce a fact the listener already knows.
因为 can introduce known as well as new causes. 既然 focuses on accepting a premise for a conclusion rather than a universal known-versus-new word division. The arrival is treated as the accepted basis for the invitation.
Use the distinction
- The arrival is treated as the accepted basis for the invitation.
- because因为 can introduce known as well as new causes. since既然 focuses on accepting a premise for a conclusion rather than a universal known-versus-new word division.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Cause & effect statements.
A friend has arrived and you invite them to sit. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.