于是
and so; whereupon
Structure
情况 ， 于是 接着发生的事
What it means
And so; whereupon: narrates what naturally happened next as a result of a situation.
How it is built
Situation，于是 + (subject) + next event: 大家都同意，于是事情就这么定了 (Everyone agreed, and so the matter was settled). It opens the second clause.
When to use it
于是 tells a story: one event leads to the next. 因此 and 所以 argue cause and effect. Neutral; common in storytelling and history.
Watch out
Never pair it with 因为: ✗ 因为下雨，于是我们没去 ✓ 因为下雨，所以我们没去. It reports what did happen, so not for advice or plans: ✗ 明天下雨，于是别去.
Examples
他认为自己的功劳超过了所有帝王，于是自称“始皇帝”。
He thought his achievements surpassed every ruler’s, and so styled himself “First Emperor”.
大家都同意，于是事情就这么定了。
Everyone agreed, and so the matter was settled.
Learn this in Lesson 76 · HSK 6–7: 秦始皇与大一统 (The First Emperor)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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