既然 jìrán links an accepted fact to a suggestion or a rhetorical question. It can go before or after the subject, though when both clauses share the same subject, it’s more common after it.
1 Structure
既然 jìrán + the fact + 那 / 就 / 那就 + suggestion
Used to give advice or make a suggestion. Like other conjunctions, 既然 jìrán can go before or after the subject — but if both clauses share the same subject, it’s more commonly placed after it.
既然你打算結婚，那就更應該跟女朋友好好談既然你打算结婚，那就更应该跟女朋友好好谈
Since you plan to get married, it’s better to have a good talk with your girlfriend.
既然買五個就有一個免費，我當然要買五個既然买五个就有一个免费，我当然要买五个
Since there’s one free if you buy five, I definitely want to buy five. (A suggestion for myself.)
既然你說你明天沒空，那我就改天再來找你既然你说你明天没空，那我就改天再来找你
Since you said you’re not available tomorrow, I’ll come see you another day.
既然你對繁體中文有興趣，我推薦你到台灣學中文既然你对繁体中文有兴趣，我推荐你到台湾学中文
Since you’re interested in traditional Chinese, I recommend you learn Chinese in Taiwan.
既然這杯珍珠奶茶都買了，那熱量就不用算了吧既然这杯珍珠奶茶都买了，那热量就不用算了吧
Since I already bought this bubble tea, I guess there’s no point counting the calories now.
Good to Know
There are two ways of writing Chinese — Traditional and Simplified. Traditional characters have an ancient, intricate feel and are still used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Simplified characters emerged in the 20th century with fewer strokes and simpler shapes, making them quicker to write; they’re the norm in mainland China and are also common in Singapore and Malaysia.
A useful tip: if you learn Traditional first, reading Simplified later is usually easy. Going the other way around tends to be harder.
既然 jìrán + Fact, (那 +) Rhetorical Question
When the second clause is a question, 那 nà is the only word that can link the two clauses — though in colloquial speech, dropping 那 nà is also acceptable.
你既然不喜歡這車子，那當初為什麼要買？你既然不喜欢这车子，那当初为什么要买？
If you don’t like the car, why did you buy it in the first place?
既然現在機票那麼貴，我們為什麼一定要現在出國？既然现在机票那么贵，我们为什么一定要现在出国？
Since airfare is so expensive right now, why do we have to go abroad now?
既然他超級有錢，怎麼會要租車？既然他超级有钱，怎么会要租车？
If he’s super rich, why would he need to rent a car?
既然這票不是給我的，那你是打算跟誰去？既然这票不是给我的，那你是打算跟誰去？
Since this ticket isn’t for me, who are you planning to go with?
既然AI這麼方便，還要中文老師做什麼既然AI这么方便，还要中文老师做什么
Since AI is so convenient, what do you even need a Chinese teacher for?
既然我的訊息你都不回，那我跟你在一起是為了什麼？既然我的讯息你都不回，那我跟你在一起是为了什么？
If you never reply to my messages, then what exactly am I with you for?
Tiffany’s Two Cents
Honestly, students could very well try to learn for free with AI, since they genuinely can’t tell where it’s wrong. But as a teacher, I can spot it right away. Whenever I try to get AI to help me build lesson plans or web content, I always have to double-check and fix things — it has never once handed me a fully correct file. It’s always about 90% right, mixed in with some inexplicably weird stuff. So, at least for now… I guess I won’t be replaced anytime soon 😅
2 Common Mistakes
Many learners mix up 既然 jìrán and 因為 yīnwèi. 既然 jìrán is only for facts that have already happened — things you’ve just realized and can’t change, usually leading to a logical suggestion. 因為 yīnwèi doesn’t have that restriction.
❌
既然你很忙我們沒有時間去旅行既然你很忙我们没有时间去旅行
✅
既然你很忙我們下個月再去旅行既然你很忙我们下个月再去旅行
“Since you’re busy, we don’t have time to travel” isn’t a suggestion. “Since you’re busy, let’s travel next month instead” is — that’s what 既然 jìrán calls for.
❌
既然我們明天會一起吃飯，我們應該現在預約餐廳既然我们明天会一起吃饭，我们应该现在预约餐厅
✅
因為我們明天會一起吃飯，我們應該現在預約餐廳因为我们明天会一起吃饭，我们应该现在预约餐厅
Tomorrow’s dinner hasn’t happened yet, so it isn’t a fact you’re reacting to — that calls for 因為 yīnwèi, not 既然 jìrán.
3 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01Since you’re already here, let’s eat together.
既然你已經在這裡了，我們就一起吃飯吧既然你已经在这里了，我们就一起吃饭吧
👆 Tap to reveal
02Since it’s raining, let’s not go out.
既然下雨了，我們就不要出門了既然下雨了，我们就不要出门了
👆 Tap to reveal
03Since you don’t want to go, why did you agree in the first place?
你既然不想去，當初為什麼要答應？你既然不想去，当初为什么要答应？
👆 Tap to reveal
04Since the meeting is cancelled, let’s go home early.
既然會議取消了，我們就早點回家吧既然会议取消了，我们就早点回家吧
👆 Tap to reveal
05Since you know it’s wrong, why do you still do it?
你既然知道是錯的，為什麼還要做？你既然知道是错的，为什么还要做？
👆 Tap to reveal
06Since he already apologized, let’s forgive him.
既然他已經道歉了，我們就原諒他吧既然他已经道歉了，我们就原谅他吧
👆 Tap to reveal
07Since prices are so high, why buy a new car now?
既然價格那麼高，為什麼現在要買新車？既然价格那么高，为什么现在要买新车？
👆 Tap to reveal
08Since you’re not feeling well, you should rest at home.
既然你不舒服，就應該在家休息既然你不舒服，就应该在家休息
👆 Tap to reveal
09Since we’ve already bought the tickets, let’s go watch the movie.
既然票都買了，我們就去看電影吧既然票都买了，我们就去看电影吧
👆 Tap to reveal
10Since you can’t decide, then I’ll decide for you.
既然你決定不了，那我就幫你決定既然你决定不了，那我就帮你决定
👆 Tap to reveal
