因而

HSK 5

Conjunctions

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Cause因而Result

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

Conjunction 因而 is used to connect two clauses, indicating that the second clause is the direct result of the first.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

因而 is a formal conjunction used to express a cause-and-effect relationship. The clause preceding 因而 states the cause, while the clause following it states the result arising from that cause. It is similar to 因此 (therefore) and 所以 (so/thus), but is more commonly used in written language or situations requiring a formal register.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

雨下得很大，因而比赛取消了。
繁: 雨下得很大，因而比賽取消了。Yǔ xià de hěn dà, yīn'ér bǐsài qǔxiāo le.
The rain was very heavy, so the competition was canceled.
他学习很努力，因而考得很好。
繁: 他學習很努力，因而考得很好。Tā xuéxí hěn nǔlì, yīn'ér kǎo de hěn hǎo.
He studied very diligently, and therefore performed very well on the exam.
他准备得很充分，因而面试很成功。
繁: 他準備得很充分，因而面試很成功。Tā zhǔnbèi de hěn chōngfèn, yīn'ér miànshì hěn chénggōng.
He prepared very thoroughly, and therefore the interview was very successful.
他昨晚没睡好，因而今天精神不好。
繁: 他昨晚沒睡好，因而今天精神不好。Tā zuówǎn méi shuì hǎo, yīn'ér jīntiān jīngshén bù hǎo.
He didn't sleep well last night, so his spirits are not good today.
这种产品质量好，因而很受欢迎。
繁: 這種產品質量好，因而很受歡迎。Zhè zhǒng chǎnpǐn zhìliàng hǎo, yīn'ér hěn shòu huānyíng.
This type of product has good quality, and therefore is very popular.

Common mistakes

Wrong:因为他生病了，因而他没来。
Correct:因为他生病了，所以他没来。
Do not use `因为` and `因而` together. `因而` already contains the meaning of "because...so." You can say: `他生病了，因而没来。`
Wrong:我喜欢运动，因而我弟弟也喜欢。
Correct:我喜欢运动，我弟弟也喜欢。
因而 must connect cause and effect; your liking sports is not the direct cause of your younger brother liking it too.