因为 (yīnwèi) — because

因为 (yīnwèi)

因为 means "because." It introduces the reason or cause for a situation, and is frequently paired with 所以 (suǒyǐ, therefore) to form a cause-and-effect structure.

Meanings

1. [conjunction] Because; since; due to the fact that (introduces the reason clause).

Example Sentences

我迟到了，因为路上堵车。 Wǒ chídào le, yīnwèi lùshàng dǔchē. I was late because there was traffic on the road.

因为今天下雨，所以我没有出门。 Yīnwèi jīntiān xià yǔ, suǒyǐ wǒ méiyǒu chūmén. Because it rained today, I did not go out.

他高兴，因为考试考得好。 Tā gāoxìng, yīnwèi kǎoshì kǎo de hǎo. He is happy because he did well on the exam.

因为你，我才来这里。 Yīnwèi nǐ, wǒ cái lái zhèlǐ. It is because of you that I came here.

Usage Notes

In Chinese, 因为 and 所以 are typically used as a pair: 因为……所以…… (because... therefore...). This is more formal and complete. However, in natural conversation you can use either one alone. When used together, both appear at the start of their respective clauses. Note that English sometimes puts "because" in the second clause (I stayed home because it rained), but Chinese commonly puts 因为 first.

Collocations or Common Phrases

Memory Hook

因 looks like a person enclosed in a box — they are stuck inside because of a reason that keeps them there.