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.
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.
既然你不喜欢这份工作, 就换一个吧。
Jìrán nǐ bù xǐhuān zhè fèn gōngzuò, jiù huàn yīgè ba.
Since you don't like this job, just switch to another one.
既然大家都到了, 我们就开始开会吧。
Jìrán dàjiā dōu dào le, wǒmen jiù kāishǐ kāihuì ba.
Since everyone is here, let's go ahead and start the meeting.
既然他已经道歉了, 你就原谅他吧。
Jìrán tā yǐjīng dàoqiàn le, nǐ jiù yuánliàng tā ba.
Since he's already apologized, just forgive him.
既然冷, 那就多穿衣服。
Jìrán lěng, nà jiù duō chuān yīfu.
Since it's cold, put on more clothes.
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
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).
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.
Practice
___ 你不想去, 那么就别去了。
Show answer
既然
既然钱不够, ___ 我们换一个便宜的吧。
Show answer
那么
Put in order: [既然 / 那么 / 你 / 决定 / 别 / 后悔 / 了 / 了]
Show answer
既然你决定了, 那么别后悔了。
Translate to Chinese: 'Since you've finished your homework, then go play.'
Show answer
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.)
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.
Show answer
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.
Show answer
既然你想学中文，就每天听一集播客吧。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 7 Fluentide episodes:
既然是免费的，为什么不用呢？
也就是说，既然你选择了便宜的套餐，你就必须接受广告，不能关掉。
他们觉得，既然我不能卖石油，你们也别想好过。
豆包觉得，既然冷，那就一定要多穿衣服。
特别是伊朗既然失去了最高领导人，他们的报复可能会变得更加激烈。
既然人才难以走进来，那么企业就必须走出去
这位经理说，既然高市早苗已经赢了... 他认为高市早苗不会比选举前表现得更强硬。
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 既然...就... in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this pattern shows up again and again in real context. The transcript marks it, the audio drills it. Free to start, no card.