How to use 之所以…是因为
Subject + 之所以 + result，是因为 / 是为了 / 是想 + explanation
之所以 frames a fact or result as something whose explanation is about to be given. The sentence establishes what happened or what someone does, then turns to the reason. This organization is useful when the result is already the topic of discussion or when the speaker wants to make a particular explanation explicit. It is common in careful speech and writing.
After the result clause, 是因为 introduces a cause. 是为了 introduces a purpose, while 是想 introduces an intended aim or desire. These endings are not identical, so choose the one that matches the relationship. Keep 之所以 attached to the result rather than putting it before the reason itself.
Examples with pinyin and English
她之所以问这么多是为了多关心你们。
The reason she asks so many questions is in order to she cares about you guys.
我之所以不喜欢他是因为他太疯狂了。
The reason why I don't like him is because he's too crazy.
我们之所以迟到了是因为路上堵车。
The reason we were late is because we were stuck in a traffic jam.
小朋友之所以哭是因为我没有给她买巧克力。
The reason the child is crying is because I didn't buy her chocolate.
What to remember
- Present the result in the 之所以 clause.
- Use 是因为 for causes and 是为了 for purposes.
- Choose the ending according to the explanation intended.
Practise the pattern
Practise this topic with the app’s grammar exercises. Your answers and review dates are saved separately from vocabulary practice.
Practise this grammar topic ↗Look up the grammar words
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.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.