既然...就...
Reach for this when a fact is already on the table and you want to draw the obvious next step from it — 'since X is the case, then Y.' The first clause states something both speakers accept as true; the second clause is the natural consequence, decision, or suggestion. Common in conversations where someone's weighing a choice and you want to push them toward the logical move. Conversational, slightly persuasive register.
Structure
既然 [ESTABLISHED FACT]，就 [LOGICAL CONSEQUENCE]
jìrán... jiù...
How to Think About It
既然 ≠ 因为. 因为 introduces a cause that may be new information; 既然 says 'we both already know this' and uses it as a launchpad for what to do next. Think of it as 'given that...' — the first clause is already settled, the speaker is now reasoning forward from it. The 就 in the second half is the snap of the trap closing on the conclusion.
Examples
既然你不饿，我们就先走吧。
Jìrán nǐ bù è, wǒmen jiù xiān zǒu ba.
Since you're not hungry, let's just leave first.
既然是免费的，为什么不试一下？
Jìrán shì miǎnfèi de, wèishéme bù shì yīxià?
Since it's free, why not give it a try?
既然他不想说，我们就别问了。
Jìrán tā bù xiǎng shuō, wǒmen jiù bié wèn le.
Since he doesn't want to talk about it, let's not ask.
Common Mistake
Learners swap in 因为 when the cause is something both people already agreed on. The grammar still works, but it loses the 'we both know this, so let's act on it' tone — and 既然 is what natives reach for.
因为你已经决定了，那我们走吧。
既然你已经决定了，我们就走吧。
Don't Confuse With
因为...所以...
Introduces a cause that explains a result. 既然...就... uses a known fact to justify a decision or suggestion.
如果...就...
Hypothetical — the first clause may or may not be true. 既然 treats the first clause as settled fact.
由于...因此...
Formal cause-and-effect for writing. 既然...就... stays conversational and adds the 'we already agree' nuance.
Practice
Fill in: ____然你已经来了，就坐下喝杯茶吧。
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既
Fill in: 既然下雨了，我们____别去公园了。
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就
Arrange: 既然 / 走吧 / 你 / 累了 / 我们 / ，/ 就
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既然你累了，我们就走吧。
Translate to Chinese: Since you've already decided, I won't say more.
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既然你已经决定了，我就不多说了。
Use 既然...就... to suggest a next step based on a fact your friend just shared.
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既然你想学中文，就每天听一集播客吧。