Chinese Connectors: Because, Although, If, and More

Cause and Effect

因为…所以… (yīnwèi…suǒyǐ…) Because…therefore… Example: 因为下雨，所以我不去 (Because it's raining, I'm not going). Note: in Chinese, you can use both halves of the pair or just one.

Contrast

虽然…但是… (suīrán…dànshì…) Although…but… Example: 虽然很累，但是很开心 (Although tired, I'm happy). Unlike English, Chinese uses both "although" AND "but" in the same sentence.

Condition

如果…就… (rúguǒ…jiù…) If…then… Example: 如果明天不下雨，我就去 (If it doesn't rain tomorrow, I'll go). 只要…就… (zhǐyào…jiù…) As long as…then… These connector pairs are key to expressing complex ideas in Chinese.