（因）…，故…
because …, therefore … (written)
Structure
（因）原因 ， 故 结果
What it means
Written “because …, therefore …”: 故 is the classical 所以 and 因 the classical 因为. 故 carries the meaning, so 因 can be dropped.
How it is built
(因 + brief cause)，故 + result. 故 opens its clause, ahead of any subject: 演出场地临时维修，故本场演出改期举行 (the venue is under repair, so the show is postponed).
When to use it
Notices, reports, official letters, academic prose, serious features. In speech say 因为…所以…. Unlike 因…而… (活动因人数不足而取消), where 而 leads straight into the verb, 故 starts a new clause after a comma.
Watch out
✗ 本场演出故改期 ✓ 故本场演出改期. Keep the register even: ✗ 因为…，故… (pair 故 with 因 or 由于). Don’t confuse it with 故 “old” (故乡) or 故意 “on purpose”.
Examples
因地薄灾多，故农民农闲时多以卖艺为生。
Because the land was poor and disasters frequent, many farmers made a living by performing in the slack season.
本店因内部装修，故暂停营业三天，敬请谅解。
This shop is closed for three days for refurbishment. We apologise for any inconvenience.
演出场地临时维修，故本场演出改期举行，已购门票继续有效。
Because the venue is undergoing unscheduled repairs, this performance has been postponed; tickets already bought remain valid.
Learn this in Lesson 239 · HSK 9+: 吴桥杂技 (The acrobats of Wuqiao)
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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