HSK 4
既然...就 (Given That) in Chinese
既然...就... starts from a fact or conclusion treated as established, then draws an inference, decision, or suggestion from it. 既然 introduces the accepted premise; 就 commonly marks the following result. The result may instead use 那么, 也, 还, or another suitable expression, so do not require 就 in every valid sentence.
STRUCTURE
既然 + Established Premise, 就 + Conclusion
When to use 既然…就 — and when not
Use it when
- To draw a conclusion from an accepted fact: 既然外面下雨了，我们就明天再去吧。
- To give advice based on an established situation: 你既然累了，就早点儿休息吧。
- To state a decision after acknowledging a premise: 既然大家都同意，那我们就开始吧。
Don't use it when
- For a cause presented as new information; 因为...所以... is usually a better teaching frame for an ordinary explanation.
- For an uncertain condition; use 如果...就... when the premise may or may not become true.
- Do not force 就 into every result clause. 那么, 也, 还, or a suitable modal expression may carry the conclusion.
Right vs. wrong
既然你了已经决定，我就不再劝你了。
既然你已经决定了，我就不再劝你了。
The aspect particle 了 is placed before the adverb and predicate
已经 belongs before the predicate 决定, while 了 follows the completed predicate here. The order 了已经决定 breaks the premise clause.
既然你已经决定了，就所以我不再劝你了。
既然你已经决定了，我就不再劝你了。
Two result markers are stacked as 就所以
Use one result connection. In the common 既然...就... frame, put the result-clause subject before 就: 我 + 就 + 不再劝你.
Examples
既然你已经决定了，我就不再劝你了。
Jìrán nǐ yǐjīng juédìng le, wǒ jiù bù zài quàn nǐ le.
Since you have already decided, I will not try to persuade you again.
你既然来了，就一起吃饭吧。
Nǐ jìrán lái le, jiù yìqǐ chīfàn ba.
Since you are here, join us for the meal.
既然外面下雨了，那我们明天再去吧。
Jìrán wàimiàn xià yǔ le, nà wǒmen míngtiān zài qù ba.
Since it is raining outside, let us go tomorrow instead.
既然大家都同意，我也没有别的意见。
Jìrán dàjiā dōu tóngyì, wǒ yě méiyǒu bié de yìjiàn.
Since everyone agrees, I have no other objection either.
既然事实已经清楚，我们不妨开始讨论。
Jìrán shìshí yǐjīng qīngchu, wǒmen bùfáng kāishǐ tǎolùn.
Given that the facts are clear, we might as well begin the discussion.
Common mistakes
既然你了已经决定，我就不再劝你了。
Jìrán nǐ le yǐjīng juédìng, wǒ jiù bù zài quàn nǐ le.
Put 已经 before the predicate and 了 after it: 既然你已经决定了，我就不再劝你了。
既然你已经决定了，就所以我不再劝你了。
Jìrán nǐ yǐjīng juédìng le, jiù suǒyǐ wǒ bù zài quàn nǐ le.
Do not stack 就 and 所以. Use 既然你已经决定了，我就不再劝你了。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 既然…就 sentence and check that grammar point first.
既然...就 (Given That) FAQ
What kind of premise follows 既然?
It is normally a fact, situation, or conclusion treated as already real or accepted. The next clause reasons forward from that premise.
Must the next clause contain 就?
No. 就 is the common teaching pair, but 那么, 也, and 还 also occur, and some conclusions use another suitable expression. Do not mark a sentence wrong only because 就 is absent.
How is 既然...就... different from 如果...就...?
既然 treats the premise as established and draws a conclusion from it. 如果 presents a condition whose truth is uncertain or hypothetical.