How to use 既然…就
既然 + accepted fact，(那) + subject + 就 + conclusion
既然 introduces a premise that the speaker treats as established or accepted for the discussion. The next clause draws a practical conclusion from that premise, often proposing what someone should do. Its meaning is close to since that is the case. The emphasis falls on reasoning forward from shared information rather than discovering an unknown cause.
就 commonly introduces the conclusion, sometimes with 那 for an explicit transition. A question can follow instead, challenging behavior that seems inconsistent with the premise. This flexibility means that not every 既然 sentence needs 就. Use the structure when the first clause serves as grounds for an inference, decision, or response.
Examples with pinyin and English
你既然不想说， 那就别说了。
Since you don't want to say, then just don't say.
既然你那么喜欢， 那就买吧。
Since you like it so much, just buy it.
她既然刚刚分手， 那现在应该是单身吧。
Since she just had a breakup, she should be single now.
既然你们是好朋友， 那他肯定会帮你吧。
Since you guys are good friends, he will definitely help you.
What to remember
- Treat the 既然 clause as an accepted premise.
- Use 就 for a resulting conclusion or recommendation.
- A following question can expose an inconsistency.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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