因…,故…
because …, therefore … (the terse written form)
Structure
(主语)因 原因 , 故 结果
What it means
The terse written “because …, therefore …”, with both 因 and 故 kept, in the tight rhythm of history books, inscriptions, notices and official reports.
How it is built
(Subject) + 因 + short cause,故 + result: 此寺因建在少室山的树林之中,故名“少林” (it was named Shaolin because it stood in Mount Shaoshi’s forest). Causes can be tiny: 因病, 因故.
When to use it
History, inscriptions, notices, official reports. 故而 is a two-syllable modern variant (故而得名). For a long, explanatory sentence use 由于…,因此… instead.
Watch out
The subject goes before 因, not before 故: ✗ 因道路维修,景区故暂停开放 ✓ 景区因道路维修,故暂停开放. Don’t mix registers: ✗ 因为…,故… ✗ 因…,所以….
Examples
僧人因助唐有功,故得赐田地。
Because the monks had served the Tang well, they were granted land.
此寺因建在少室山的树林之中,故名“少林”。
Because the temple was built in the forest of Mount Shaoshi, it was named Shaolin, “the Shaoshi forest”.
本景区因道路维修,故今日暂停开放。
This scenic area is closed today for road repairs.
Learn this in Lesson 244 · HSK 9+: 少林寺 (The Shaolin Temple)
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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