How do you use "so" in a sentence?

I was so tired that I fell asleep immediately. She studied hard, so she passed the exam. I left early so that I would not miss the train.

so

Q: What does "so" mean?

To such a great extent; therefore; in order that 'So' functions as an adverb of degree ('so tired'), a conjunction showing result ('it was raining, so I stayed home'), and an intensifier. It is commonly used to introduce conclusions and in the phrase 'so that' to express purpose. In conversation, 'so' often begins sentences to continue or summarise a topic.

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To such a great extent; therefore; in order that

如此，所以，以便

tan, así que, para que

とても、だから、〜するために

매우, 그래서, ~하기 위해

'So' functions as an adverb of degree ('so tired'), a conjunction showing result ('it was raining, so I stayed home'), and an intensifier. It is commonly used to introduce conclusions and in the phrase 'so that' to express purpose. In conversation, 'so' often begins sentences to continue or summarise a topic.

「so」作为程度副词（「so tired」）、表示结果的连词（「it was raining, so I stayed home」）和强调词。它常用于引入结论和「so that」短语中表示目的。在对话中，「so」经常用于句首以继续或总结话题。

«So» funciona como adverbio de grado («so tired»), una conjunción que muestra resultado («it was raining, so I stayed home») y un intensificador. Se usa comúnmente para introducir conclusiones y en la frase «so that» para expresar propósito. En conversación, «so» a menudo comienza oraciones para continuar o resumir un tema.

「so」は程度の副詞（「so tired」）、結果を示す接続詞（「it was raining, so I stayed home」）、強調語として機能します。結論を導入するためや、目的を表す「so that」というフレーズでよく使われます。会話では、「so」はしばしば文の最初に置かれ、話題を続けたり要約したりします。

'so'는 정도를 나타내는 부사('so tired'), 결과를 나타내는 접속사('비가 와서 집에 있었다'), 그리고 강조어로 사용됩니다. 결론을 도입할 때 흔히 쓰이며, 목적을 나타내는 'so that' 구문에도 사용됩니다. 회화에서는 화제를 이어가거나 요약할 때 문장 앞에 'so'를 붙이는 경우가 많습니다.

Examples

I was so tired that I fell asleep immediately.
我太累了，马上就睡着了。
Estaba tan cansado que me dormí inmediatamente.
とても疲れていたのですぐに眠りました。
너무 피곤해서 바로 잠들어 버렸습니다.
She studied hard, so she passed the exam.
她努力学习，所以通过了考试。
Estudió mucho, así que aprobó el examen.
彼女は一生懸命勉強したので、試験に受かりました。
그녀는 열심히 공부했기 때문에 시험에 합격했습니다.
I left early so that I would not miss the train.
我早点出发，以免错过火车。
Salí temprano para no perder el tren.
電車に乗り遅れないように早く出ました。
기차를 놓치지 않으려고 일찍 출발했습니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old English 'swā', meaning 'in this way' or 'to such a degree'. From Proto-Germanic *swa. Cognate with German 'so' and Dutch 'zo'. Has served as adverb, conjunction, and interjection for over a millennium.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

so

Examples

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Origin & History

Cultural Context

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