Formal vs. informal register differences
Written Chinese has formal words that match everyday spoken ones. At HSK 4 the common pairs include 由于 and 因为 (because), 然而 and 但是 (however), and 进行 (to carry out), which is formal and takes a formal action word.
In English
Chinese has a formal written style and a casual spoken style, and many words come in pairs that mean the same thing. Notices, contracts, news and exam passages use the formal word, such as 由于, 然而, 进行 and 此外. Friends talking use the spoken word, such as 因为, 但是, 做 and 另外.
Learn both halves of each pair so you can read a notice and still sound natural when you speak. Mixing the two, like using 由于 with your family, sounds stiff.
HSK-4阅读中经常出现正式书面语。识别以下对比是核心技能：
| 正式 (书面) | 口语 (日常) | 意思 |
|------------|------------|------|
| 由于 | 因为 | because |
| 此 | 这 | this |
| 已 | 已经 | already |
| 勿 / 请勿 | 不要 / 别 | don't |
| 对于 | 对 | regarding |
| 进行 | 做 / 搞 | conduct/do |
| 此外 | 另外 | besides |
| 然而 | 但是 | however |
| 表示 | 说 | express/say |
| 协助 | 帮助/帮忙 | assist |
通知、合同、新闻报道用正式语体；朋友对话用口语。
✅ 告示: 请勿在此吸烟。(Notice: No smoking here.)
✅ 对话: 你别在这里抽烟。(Conversation: Don't smoke here.)
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 此次活动将于下周六正式开幕，欢迎各界人士踊跃参与。 | Cǐ cì huó dòng jiāng yú xià zhōu liù zhèng shì kāi mù, huān yíng gè jiè rén shì yǒng yuè cān yǔ. | This event will officially open next Saturday; all members of the public are warmly welcome to participate. | 此次 (this time — formal) vs 这次 (colloquial); 踊跃参与 is formal written Chinese |
| 由于行程变化，本次会议已延期至下月初举行，敬请谅解。 | Yóu yú xíng chéng biàn huà, běn cì huì yì yǐ yán qī zhì xià yuè chū jǔ xíng, jìng qǐng liàng jiě. | Due to schedule changes, this meeting has been postponed to the beginning of next month; we sincerely ask for your understanding. | 正式连锁: 由于 (formal because) + 本次 (formal 'this') + 已 (formal 'already') + 敬请 (formal 'please') |
| 这次考试已经结束了，但是我感觉没考好，有点担心。 | Zhè cì kǎo shì yǐ jīng jié shù le, dàn shì wǒ gǎn jué méi kǎo hǎo, yǒu diǎn dān xīn. | The exam is already over, but I feel I didn't do well — a bit worried. | 口语风格: 这次 / 已经 / 但是 / 感觉 — all colloquial forms of the same ideas |
Word by word
Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.
由于 (yóuyú)
The formal word for "because" or "owing to", used in notices and writing.
Structure: 由于 + reason, + result
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 由于下大雪，今天的飞机都取消了。 | Yóu yú xià dà xuě, jīn tiān de fēi jī dōu qǔ xiāo le. | Because of heavy snow, all flights are cancelled today. |
| 由于身体不舒服，他没有来上班。 | Yóu yú shēn tǐ bù shū fú, tā méi yǒu lái shàng bān. | He did not come to work because he felt unwell. |
| 由于时间太晚，我们决定明天再说。 | Yóu yú shí jiān tài wǎn, wǒ men jué dìng míng tiān zài shuō. | As it was too late, we decided to talk tomorrow. |
Not: 妈，由于我饿了，快做饭吧。 由于 is written and formal. With family, say 因为.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 4, conjunctions (连接分句或句子); level 4, prepositions (引出原因).
由于 is also explained in: Prepositions of Cause & Purpose: 由于, 因为, 为了 (HSK 3) · 由于/因为 (formal): due to (HSK 4) · Preposition 随着 (along with, as) (HSK 5).
然而 (rán'ér)
The formal word for "however"; the spoken one is 但是 or 可是.
Structure: A, 然而 + B
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 他很努力，然而成绩一直没有提高。 | Tā hěn nǔ lì, rán ér chéng jì yì zhí méi yǒu tí gāo. | He worked hard, but his grades never improved. |
| 这个办法很简单，然而没有人想到。 | Zhè gè bàn fǎ hěn jiǎn dān, rán ér méi yǒu rén xiǎng dào. | The method is simple, yet nobody thought of it. |
| 价格不高，然而质量很好。 | Jià gé bù gāo, rán ér zhì liàng hěn hǎo. | The price is low, yet the quality is very good. |
Not: 朋友，然而今天我没空，下次吧。 In a chat between friends, 但是 sounds natural. 然而 belongs to written text.
进行 (jìnxíng)
A formal verb meaning "to carry out"; it takes a formal action word as its object.
Structure: 进行 + (一次) + formal action noun
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 学校将进行一次考试。 | Xué xiào jiāng jìn xíng yí cì kǎo shì. | The school will hold an exam. |
| 两国代表正在进行会谈。 | Liǎng guó dài biǎo zhèng zài jìn xíng huì tán. | The delegates of the two countries are holding talks. |
| 我们明天上午进行讨论。 | Wǒ men míng tiān shàng wǔ jìn xíng tǎo lùn. | We will hold the discussion tomorrow morning. |
Not: 我进行吃饭。 进行 does not go with a simple verb like 吃. Say 我在吃饭.
What you need first
Every topic in GraphChinese names its own prerequisites, and these are the grammar points this one is built on. If a sentence here will not parse, one of them is why.
What this opens up
These patterns list Formal vs. informal register differences among their own prerequisites, so they become readable once this one holds.
Questions about Formal vs. informal register differences
What does 正式与口语差异 (Formal vs. informal register differences) mean in Chinese?
Written Chinese has formal words that match everyday spoken ones. At HSK 4 the common pairs include 由于 and 因为 (because), 然而 and 但是 (however), and 进行 (to carry out), which is formal and takes a formal action word. It is an HSK 4 grammar point.
How do you use 正式与口语差异 (Formal vs. informal register differences) in a sentence?
此次活动将于下周六正式开幕，欢迎各界人士踊跃参与。 — Cǐ cì huó dòng jiāng yú xià zhōu liù zhèng shì kāi mù, huān yíng gè jiè rén shì yǒng yuè cān yǔ. — This event will officially open next Saturday; all members of the public are warmly welcome to participate. 此次 (this time — formal) vs 这次 (colloquial); 踊跃参与 is formal written Chinese.
What do you need to know before 正式与口语差异 (Formal vs. informal register differences)?
对于/关于/针对 (HSK 4). This pattern is built out of them, so a sentence here that will not parse usually means one of them has not landed yet.
What does 正式与口语差异 (Formal vs. informal register differences) lead to?
Discourse Cohesion (HSK 5). Each of them names 正式与口语差异 (Formal vs. informal register differences) among its own prerequisites.
Is 因为 or 由于 more formal?
由于 is more formal. 因为 works everywhere, in speech and writing. In an exam text you will meet 由于, so learn to read it, and use 因为 in speech.
Formal vs. informal register differences is one topic of 829. GraphChinese teaches them in prerequisite order, so this pattern reaches you on the day everything it rests on is proven. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
Start at your true level