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于是

HSK 5
  • Conjunctions

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Clause 1 (Cause/Prior action)于是Clause 2 (Result/Subsequent action)

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

于是 used to connect two clauses, where the second clause is the direct result of or an action immediately following the first clause.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

于是 is a conjunction used to indicate that the following clause is a direct result of or an action occurring immediately after the preceding clause. It emphasizes temporal and logical succession, and is commonly translated as "thereupon," "and so," or "as a result."

Compared to 所以 (suǒyǐ), 于是 implies a quicker transition — one action ends and another immediately follows. It is frequently used in narrative writing to express the progression of events.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 外面下雨了，于是我们回家了。
    繁: 外面下雨了，於是我們回家了。Wàimiàn xià yǔ le, yúshì wǒmen huí jiā le.

    It was raining outside, so we went home.

  2. 他错过了末班车，于是只好走路回家。
    繁: 他錯過了末班車，於是只好走路回家。Tā cuòguò le mòbānchē, yúshì zhǐhǎo zǒulù huí jiā.

    He missed the last bus, so he had to walk home.

  3. 我听到了奇怪的声音，于是去看看。
    繁: 我聽到了奇怪的聲音，於是去看看。Wǒ tīngdào le qíguài de shēngyīn, yúshì qù kànkan.

    I heard a strange sound, so I went to take a look.

  4. 大家都没意见，于是会议结束了。
    繁: 大家都沒意見，於是會議結束了。Dàjiā dōu méi yìjiàn, yúshì huìyì jiéshù le.

    Everyone had no objections, so the meeting ended.

  5. 他想了想，于是明白了。
    繁: 他想了想，於是明白了。Tā xiǎng le xiǎng, yúshì míngbai le.

    He thought for a moment and then understood.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong:我先吃饭，于是看电视。
    Correct:我先吃饭，然后看电视。

    于是 indicates a result, while 然后 merely indicates a sequence in time. Eating and watching TV are two consecutive actions, not a cause-and-effect relationship.

  • Wrong:因为天气很冷，于是我穿了很多衣服。
    Correct:因为天气很冷，所以我穿了很多衣服。

    With the structure 'because... therefore...' (因为...所以...), 所以 is more natural. 于是 emphasizes immediate consequence that follows.