那么 (then...)

• Pinyin: nàme
• Formation: Situation / Condition ，那么 + Suggestion / Decision
• Hanzi breakdown: 那 = 阝(city) + 冄 (drooping strands); 么 = simplified form of 麼

Meaning

那么 is used to introduce a suggestion, decision, or logical consequence based on a preceding situation or condition. It connects a premise to a natural conclusion, similar to 'then' or 'in that case' in English.

那么 functions as a transitional connector that takes a stated situation and draws a conclusion or offers a suggestion. It often appears in the second clause of a conditional or situational statement, signaling that the following action or opinion logically follows from what was just said. Unlike 然后 which indicates sequential time, 那么 indicates logical consequence. It can be shortened to 那 in casual speech. Learners sometimes confuse 那么 with 那样 (in that way/manner), but 那么 introduces conclusions while 那样 describes manner or degree.

Examples

1. 你不想吃饭，那么我们就去喝咖啡吧。 If you don't want to eat, then let's go get coffee.
2. 既然大家都同意了，那么我们就开始吧。 Since everyone has agreed, then let's get started.
3. 如果明天下雨，那么我们改天再去。 If it rains tomorrow, then let's go another day.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: suggestive

Do Say

• 你累了，那么就早点休息吧。
• 既然你不喜欢这个颜色，那么换一个吧。
• 如果你觉得太贵，那么我们去别的店看看。

Don't Say

• 我今天很累，那么睡觉。(那么 requires a complete suggestion clause — adding 就 or 吧 makes the suggestion natural and complete) → 我今天很累，那么就早点睡觉吧。
• 那么他昨天去了北京。(那么 introduces a conclusion from a stated premise — it cannot start a standalone factual statement without a preceding situation) → 既然他有事，那么他昨天就去了北京。

Origin & History

那么 combines 那 (that) and 么 (a question/modal particle), originally meaning 'in that manner.' Over time it evolved into a logical connector meaning 'then' or 'in that case,' bridging a condition to its consequence.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal