正因为…，才…
precisely because …; it is just because … that …
Structure
正因为 原因 ， 主语 ＋ 才 ＋ 结果 · 结果 ， 正是因为 原因
What it means
'Precisely because…, …'. 正 adds 'exactly' to 因为, often answering an unspoken objection: the cause works the other way from what you'd expect. 才 marks the result as following from that cause alone.
How it is built
正因为 + cause，subject + 才 + result: 正因为父母不在身边，他才早早学会了照顾自己 (Precisely because his parents weren't around, he learnt early to look after himself).
When to use it
Turned round, the result comes first and the cause last after 正是因为: 他能戒掉烟瘾，正是因为家里人一直支持他. 正因为如此 (for exactly that reason) links sentences. Stronger than plain 因为…所以….
Watch out
才 is an adverb, so it goes after the subject of its clause: ✗才他学会了 ✓他才学会了.
Examples
正因为戒烟很难，才更需要专业的帮助。
It is precisely because giving up smoking is hard that professional help matters all the more.
正因为父母不在身边，他才早早学会了照顾自己。
It was precisely because his parents were not around that he learnt early to look after himself.
他能戒掉烟瘾，正是因为家里人一直在支持他。
He managed to beat his addiction precisely because his family stood by him all along.
Learn this in Lesson 163 · HSK 7–9: 戒不掉的瘾 (The habits we cannot break)
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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