cause, reason

JLPT N5 6 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of

The character (yīn) primarily functions as a preposition meaning "because of" or "due to," indicating the cause or reason for something. It is often used in formal or written contexts to explain causality.

Common Collocations

  • 因为 (yīnwèi): a very common phrase meaning "because" used in everyday speech.
  • 因此 (yīncǐ): meaning "therefore" or "thus," used to indicate a conclusion based on a cause.
  • ...... (yīn... ér...): a structure to express "because... therefore..." showing cause and effect.

Notes

When using , it often appears at the beginning of a clause to introduce the reason. It is more formal than the colloquial 因为. Avoid confusing with 因为; is more concise and often used in written or formal speech, while 因为 is more common in spoken Chinese.

Summary

is a versatile character to express causation and reasons, essential for explaining why something happens in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in formal contexts.

Example Sentences

The accident was caused by bad weather.

Because he was sick, the meeting was postponed.

We became friends because of shared interests.