既然... 那么...
Reach for 既然...那么... when a fact is on the table and you want to make a logical move based on it — 'since X, then Y.' It's the structured, slightly more formal cousin of 既然...就.... The first clause names something both speakers already accept; the second draws the conclusion or proposes the action that follows. Common in argument, persuasion, and decision-making writing where you want the inference to feel clean and inevitable.
Structure
既然 [ESTABLISHED FACT], 那么 [LOGICAL NEXT STEP]
jìrán... nàme...
How to Think About It
既然 ≠ 因为. 因为 introduces new information ('here's why'); 既然 invokes a fact both sides already agree on ('given what we both know'). 那么 then says 'therefore, here's what should follow.' The pair is the verbal equivalent of laying premises and drawing a conclusion. Compared to 既然...就..., the 那么 version sounds more deliberate and is preferred in writing or when the conclusion is a significant claim, not just a small action.
Examples
既然你已经准备好了, 那么我们就出发吧。
Jìrán nǐ yǐjīng zhǔnbèi hǎo le, nàme wǒmen jiù chūfā ba.
Since you're already ready, then let's set off.
既然问题这么严重, 那么我们必须马上解决。
Jìrán wèntí zhème yánzhòng, nàme wǒmen bìxū mǎshàng jiějué.
Since the problem is this serious, then we must solve it immediately.
既然大家都同意, 那么就按这个计划做。
Jìrán dàjiā dōu tóngyì, nàme jiù àn zhège jìhuà zuò.
Since everyone agrees, then let's go with this plan.
Common Mistake
Learners drop 那么 (or 就), leaving the conclusion floating. Chinese concessive and inferential structures usually require a second-clause marker. The other mistake: using 既然 with brand-new information that the listener doesn't know yet — that's 因为's job.
既然你不舒服, 你休息。
既然你不舒服, 那么你应该休息。
Don't Confuse With
既然...就...
More conversational. 那么 sounds slightly more deliberate and is preferred when the conclusion is a recommendation or formal claim; 就 sounds quicker and is fine for everyday speech.
因为...所以...
因为 introduces a NEW cause-effect explanation. 既然 invokes a fact already known to both sides. 'Why are you tired? Because I worked late' = 因为. 'Since you're tired, then rest' = 既然...那么.
如果...那么...
如果 is hypothetical ('if it turns out X'). 既然 treats X as already settled. 如果他来 = if he comes (uncertain); 既然他来了 = since he came (he did).
Practice
___ 你不想去, 那么就别去了。
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既然
既然钱不够, ___ 我们换一个便宜的吧。
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那么
Put in order: [既然 / 那么 / 你 / 决定 / 别 / 后悔 / 了 / 了]
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既然你决定了, 那么别后悔了。
Translate to Chinese: 'Since you've finished your homework, then go play.'
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既然你做完作业了, 那么去玩吧。
Write a sentence drawing a logical conclusion from an established fact, using 既然...那么....
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Example answer: 既然天气这么好, 那么我们出去散步吧。 (Since the weather is so nice, then let's go for a walk.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 既然... 那么... in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
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