既然

• Pinyin: jì rán
• Hanzi breakdown: 既 = already/completed; 然 = 灬 (fire) + 犬 (dog) + 肉 (meat) — 'so, thus' from burning/cooking connotation

Meaning

Since; now that. Used to introduce an established fact as the basis for a conclusion or suggestion.

Always appears at the beginning of a clause to acknowledge something that has already happened or is already true, then draws a logical conclusion in the second clause, often paired with 就 or 那. The pattern is: 既然 + known fact, 就/那 + conclusion/action. Different from 因为 (because) — 既然 emphasizes that the fact is mutually known.

Examples

1. 既然你不想去，那我们就待在家里吧。 Since you don't want to go, let's just stay home.
2. 既然已经决定了，就不要再犹豫了。 Now that the decision has been made, don't hesitate anymore.
3. 既然天气这么好，我们出去走走吧。 Since the weather is so nice, let's go out for a walk.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, reasoning, persuasion

Tone: logical

Do Say

• 既然来了，就多待一会儿吧。(Since you're here, stay a bit longer.)
• 既然知道错了，就改过来。(Now that you know you were wrong, correct it.)

Don't Say

• 既然明天下雨 (Don't use 既然 for uncertain future events — it requires an established fact; use 如果 for 'if it rains tomorrow')

Origin & History

A compound of 既 (already) and 然 (so/thus), together meaning 'since it is already so' — establishing a premise that leads to a logical consequence.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal