因此 和 所以
therefore vs so
Structure
原因 ， （主语）因此 结果 ／ 因为 原因 ， 所以 主语 结果
What it means
Both bring in a result: 所以 is the everyday “so”; 因此 (“because of this”) is the more written “therefore”.
How it is built
因为 + cause，所以 + subject + result: 因为晚上喝了浓茶，所以我失眠了 (I drank strong tea, so I couldn’t sleep). Cause，(subject) + 因此 + result: 后人因此称他为“茶圣”.
When to use it
所以 pairs with 因为; 因此 pairs more naturally with 由于. 因此 can open the clause or follow the subject. Only 所以 fits 之所以…是因为….
Watch out
所以 must open its clause, before any subject: ✗ 他所以迟到了。 ✓ 所以他迟到了。 After a subject, use 因此: 他因此迟到了。
Examples
陆羽写了《茶经》，后人因此称他为“茶圣”。
Lu Yu wrote The Classic of Tea, and later generations therefore called him the Sage of Tea.
因为晚上喝了浓茶，所以我失眠了。
I drank strong tea in the evening, so I couldn’t sleep.
这里气候温暖湿润，因此盛产好茶。
The climate here is warm and humid, and so it produces fine tea.
Learn this in Lesson 35 · HSK 5–6: 喝茶的学问 (The art of tea)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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