Mandarin Conjunctions — Complete Guide

To explain why something happens, use 因为. It introduces the reason or cause and answers the question "Why?" (为什么 — wèishénme). Place 因为 before the clause that gives the reason — this signals to the listener: "Here comes the explanation."

因为 introduces the reason or cause. It answers "Why?" — place it before the reason clause.

Point 1: Basic Usage

因为便宜，我买了。— Because it was cheap, I bought it.

💡 Position flexibility: 因为 can come at the beginning (emphasising the reason) or after the main clause (emphasising the result). Both are correct: 我没去，因为下雨了。 (I didn’t go, because it rained.)

Point 2: The 因为…所以… Pair

Pair 因为 with 所以 (so / therefore) to form a complete cause-effect structure. While English typically uses only "because" OR "so" in a single sentence, Mandarin commonly uses both together. The 因为 clause sets up the cause, and the 所以 clause delivers the effect.

Pair 因为 with 所以 for a full cause → effect sentence. Both are used in the same sentence — unlike English, which chooses one or the other.

Pattern: 因为 + Reason, 所以 + Result

因为下雨了，所以我们没去公园。— Because it rained, we didn’t go to the park.

📝 Using 因为 alone is perfectly fine in casual conversation. The 因为…所以 pair is not required every time.

Point 3: 所以 Cannot Come First

所以 always follows the reason. It cannot start a sentence unless the cause has already been clearly established in the previous sentence.

Exception in conversation: If the reason was just stated by another speaker, 所以 can stand alone. A: 我今天很累。B: 所以早点睡吧。(A: I’m very tired today. B: So go to bed early.) The cause was already established, so 所以 alone is natural.

A: 我今天很累。B: 所以早点睡吧。— When the cause is already established in context, 所以 can stand alone in reply.

Use 所以 to state a result, conclusion, or consequence. It always appears after the reason and signals to the listener that what follows is the logical outcome of what was just stated. Place 所以 after the reason clause to introduce the result.

所以 introduces the result or conclusion. It always follows a reason — it cannot start a sentence on its own.

Point 1: Basic Usage

手机没电了，所以打不了电话。— The phone has no battery, so I can’t make calls.

Point 2: 所以 Must Follow a Reason

所以 cannot stand alone. It requires a cause — either in the same sentence or clearly established in the previous sentence.

Use 就 to show that one action naturally or immediately follows another. It is more casual than 所以 and frequently appears in everyday conversation. The nuance of 就 is that the result is expected or obvious given the preceding situation. Place 就 before the verb that describes the natural consequence.

就 (jiù) shows an immediate, natural consequence — "then." More casual than 所以. Goes before the verb in the result clause.

Point 1: Basic Usage

天黑了，就回家吧。— It’s getting dark, so let’s head home.

Point 2: 就 in Conditional Sentences with 如果

Pair 就 with 如果 (if) to express “if…then…” relationships. This pattern is extremely common in everyday Mandarin.

Pattern: 如果 + Condition, 就 + Result

Point 3: 就 vs. 所以 — Choosing the Right One

Both 就 and 所以 express results, but they serve different functions.

就 suits casual, immediate consequences. 所以 suits formal, reasoned conclusions.

Use 但 and 但是 to introduce a contrast, exception, or unexpected turn. The first clause sets up an expectation, and the second clause contradicts or limits that expectation. These conjunctions sit at the junction between two opposing ideas. Place 但 or 但是 between the two contrasting clauses.

但是 (the default) or 但 (more formal/written) — introduce contrast. The second clause contradicts or limits the first.

Point 1: Basic Usage

这本书很有趣，但是有点贵。— This book is interesting, but a bit pricey.

Point 2: 但 vs. 但是 — Formality

Both words mean the same thing but suit different contexts.

💡 Practical tip: When in doubt, use 但是. It is always appropriate in both speech and writing.

Point 3: Critical Mistake — Don’t Confuse 但是 with 因为

但是 shows contrast — two ideas that oppose each other. 因为 shows cause — one idea explains the other.

💡 Self-check: Ask yourself: “Does the second idea explain the first, or does it contradict it?” If it contradicts, use 但是.

我想吃火锅，但是最近上火。— I want hotpot, but I’ve been having too much internal heat lately.

Point 4: Similar Words — 可是 and 不过

Mandarin offers other ways to say “but” with different tones.

可是 adds an empathetic, softer tone. 不过 downplays the contrast, keeping the criticism mild.

Use 如果 to introduce a condition. Pair it with 就 to form "if…then…" structures. The condition clause describes the situation that must happen for the result to occur. Place 如果 before the condition clause; the result clause follows, often introduced by 就. This signals to the listener that what follows is conditional.

如果 introduces a condition. Pair it with 就 to form "if…then…" sentences. 要是 is the colloquial alternative.

Point 1: Basic Usage

Pattern: 如果 + Condition, 就 + Result

如果下雨，我就不去。— If it rains, I won’t go.

Point 2: More 如果…就 Examples

如果明天下雨，我们就不去。— If it rains tomorrow, we won’t go. The condition creates two possible paths.

Point 3: 要是 — Colloquial Alternative

要是 has the same meaning as 如果 but is more colloquial, common in casual conversation.

要是 feels casual and conversational. 如果 works comfortably in both casual and formal contexts.

📝 Note about 的话 (dehuà): You’ll often see 如果 or 要是 followed by 的话 in casual speech — it makes the condition feel more conversational. Example: 如果你来的话，我们就去。(If you come, we’ll go.)

Use 虽然…但是 to express concession — you acknowledge one fact while simultaneously emphasising a contrasting fact. In Mandarin, you must use both parts together, unlike English which uses only one ("although" OR "but"). 虽然 means "although" and sets up the concession; 但是 means "but" and introduces the contrasting result. Together, they signal: "I acknowledge this first point — but despite that, here's the second point."

虽然…但是 = "although…but." Both parts are required in Mandarin — you cannot use 虽然 alone without 但是 to complete the pair.

Point 1: Basic Usage

虽然累，但是完成了。— Although tired, the work was finished.

Point 2: Both Parts Are Required

Using 虽然 without 但是 is grammatically incomplete in Mandarin.

虽然…但是: both parts form a bridge — removing either one leaves the structure incomplete.

📝 You can also use 可是 instead of 但是: 虽然贵，可是质量很好。This gives a slightly softer tone.

Point 3: 虽然…但是 vs. 但是 Alone

Point 4: Confusing 虽然…但是 with 因为…所以

虽然…但是 shows concession (contrast despite one fact). 因为…所以 shows cause and effect (one fact explains another). These serve entirely different logical functions.

虽然…但是 = concession (despite being tired). 因为…所以 = cause-effect (because of tiredness). They are not interchangeable.