原因 (yuányīn)

原因 refers to the reason or cause behind an event, situation, or outcome.

Meanings

[noun] Reason; cause; explanation.

Example Sentences

你知道他为什么迟到的原因吗？ Nǐ zhīdào tā wèishénme chídào de yuányīn ma? Do you know the reason why he was late?

这次事故的原因正在调查中。 Zhè cì shìgù de yuányīn zhèngzài diàochá zhōng. The cause of this accident is currently under investigation.

失败的原因是准备不够充分。 Shībài de yuányīn shì zhǔnbèi bùgòu chōngfèn. The reason for the failure was insufficient preparation.

不管出于什么原因，迟到都是不礼貌的。 Bùguǎn chūyú shénme yuányīn, chídào dōu shì bù lǐmào de. Regardless of the reason, being late is impolite.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
主要原因	main reason
根本原因	fundamental cause
分析原因	to analyze causes
找原因	to find the reason
出于...原因	for the reason of...

Usage Notes

原因 is the most general word for "reason" or "cause." It is often paired with 分析 (analyze) in formal writing: 分析原因 (analyze the causes). The structure "原因是..." (the reason is...) and "因为...原因" (because of the reason of...) are both very common. Note that 因为 (because) and 原因 can be redundant if overused together.

Memory Hook

原 means "original/source" and 因 means "cause/basis" — the original cause is the reason something happened.