既然…就…: since/given that
既然…就… (jìrán…jiù) means since or given that. 既然 states a fact both speakers already accept, and 就 introduces the conclusion drawn from it, such as a suggestion or decision.
Structure: 既然 + known/acknowledged fact + 就 + logical conclusion
✅ 既然你已经决定了，就不要后悔。(Given that you've decided, don't regret it.)
✅ 既然天气这么好，我们就出去走走吧。
Key distinction from 因为/所以: 因为 introduces a new reason the listener may not know; 既然 refers to a fact that is ALREADY ACCEPTED by both parties.
Contrast with other connectives:
- 既然/就 = accepted fact → logical conclusion
- 虽然/但是 = concession → unexpected main point
- 无论/都 = all values → universal result
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 既然你不想去，就不用勉强自己了。 | Jì rán nǐ bù xiǎng qù, jiù bù yòng miǎn qiǎng zì jǐ le. | Since you don't want to go, there's no need to force yourself. | 既然 accepts the known preference (you don't want to go), 就 draws the logical action |
| 既然大家都同意了，我们就按照这个计划去做吧。 | Jì rán dà jiā dōu tóng yì le, wǒ men jiù àn zhào zhè gè jì huà qù zuò ba. | Since everyone has agreed, let's go ahead with this plan. | Group consensus (accepted fact) → 就 + natural next step |
| 既然问题已经清楚了，我们就可以开始讨论解决方案了。 | Jì rán wèn tí yǐ jīng qīng chǔ le, wǒ men jiù kě yǐ kāi shǐ tǎo lùn jiě jué fāng àn le. | Now that the problem is clear, we can start discussing solutions. | 既然is forward-pointing: 'now that X is known, we can do Y' |
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.
既然 (jìrán)
Starts a clause stating a fact both people already accept, as the basis for a conclusion.
Structure: 既然 + known fact, + 就 + conclusion
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 既然你累了，就早点儿休息吧。 | Jì rán nǐ lèi le, jiù zǎo diǎnr xiū xi ba. | Since you are tired, get some rest early. |
| 既然天已经黑了，我们就别出去了。 | Jì rán tiān yǐ jīng hēi le, wǒ men jiù bié chū qu le. | Since it is already dark, let us not go out. |
| 既然你喜欢这本书，我就送给你。 | Jì rán nǐ xǐ huan zhè běn shū, wǒ jiù sòng gěi nǐ. | Since you like this book, I will give it to you. |
Not: 既然下雨，所以我们不去了。 既然 pairs with 就, not 所以: 既然下雨，我们就不去了.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 4, conjunctions (连接分句或句子).
就 (jiù)
Introduces the conclusion drawn from the fact in the 既然 clause.
Structure: 既然 … , subject + 就 + verb phrase
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 既然他不同意，我们就换一个方法。 | Jì rán tā bù tóng yì, wǒ men jiù huàn yí gè fāng fǎ. | Since he does not agree, let us try another way. |
| 你既然有时间，就来帮帮我吧。 | Nǐ jì rán yǒu shí jiān, jiù lái bāng bāng wǒ ba. | Since you have time, come and help me. |
| 既然票已经买了，就一起去吧。 | Jì rán piào yǐ jīng mǎi le, jiù yì qǐ qù ba. | Since the tickets are already bought, let us go together. |
Not: 既然你不想吃，我们走就吧。 就 sits before the verb in the second clause: 我们就走吧.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 2, adverbs (关联副词); level 2, adverbs (语气副词); level 3, adverbs (范围副词); level 3, adverbs (语气副词); level 4, adverbs (语气副词); level 7-9, prepositions (引出对象).
就 is also explained in: Scope Adverbs: 光, 仅, 就, 至少 (HSK 3).
Compared side by side: 既然 vs 因为.
Questions about 既然…就…
What does 既然…就… mean in Chinese?
既然…就… (jìrán…jiù) means since or given that. 既然 states a fact both speakers already accept, and 就 introduces the conclusion drawn from it, such as a suggestion or decision. It is an HSK 4 grammar point.
How do you use 既然…就… in a sentence?
既然你不想去，就不用勉强自己了。 — Jì rán nǐ bù xiǎng qù, jiù bù yòng miǎn qiǎng zì jǐ le. — Since you don't want to go, there's no need to force yourself. 既然 accepts the known preference (you don't want to go), 就 draws the logical action.
Where does 既然…就… come in the HSK sequence?
HSK 4, and none of its prerequisites are grammar points — nothing else on this reference has to come first, so you can start here.
What is the difference between 既然 and 因为?
因为 gives a reason the listener may not know. 既然 refers to a fact both sides already accept: 既然你已经来了，就坐下吧. It leads to a suggestion or a decision, not to a plain result.
既然…就… 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.
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