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B1 verb #7,000 most common 9 min read

归因于

guiyinyu Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 归因于 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 归因于 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '归因于' (guīyīn yú) is quite advanced. However, you can think of it as a very fancy way to say 'because' or 'due to'. While you would normally use '因为' (yīnwèi) to explain things, '归因于' is what you might see in a headline or a formal book. Imagine you are saying 'The rain is because of the clouds.' In formal Chinese, you might say 'The rain is attributed to the clouds.' At this stage, focus on recognizing the characters. '归' (guī) looks like a person returning home, '因' (yīn) is a cause inside a box, and '于' (yú) is a small word that means 'to'. You don't need to use it in your own speaking yet, but if you see it, know that it is pointing from a result back to a reason. It is like an arrow pointing backwards to the start of a problem or a success. Just remember: Result + 归因于 + Reason. It's a formal bridge between two facts.

At the A2 level, you are starting to see more formal structures. '归因于' (guīyīn yú) is a phrase you might encounter in short news clips or simple articles about health or science. It means 'to attribute to'. For example, if you read 'Health is attributed to exercise,' the Chinese would use this word. It's more formal than '由于' (yóuyú). You should start noticing that this word doesn't start a sentence like '因为' (yīnwèi) often does. Instead, it sits in the middle, acting like a verb. A simple way to remember its use is for 'Success' or 'Failure'. If you fail a test, you might 'attribute it to' not studying. If you win a game, you 'attribute it to' practice. Even though it's a bit high-level, knowing it will help you understand more serious Chinese content, like health advice or school reports. It shows a logical connection between two things.

At the B1 level, you should begin integrating '归因于' (guīyīn yú) into your formal writing and presentations. This is the level where you move from basic descriptions to analysis. '归因于' is perfect for this. When you are writing an essay about social issues or economic trends, using this word makes your Chinese sound much more professional. It functions as a formal verb meaning 'to attribute... to...'. You should be comfortable with the structure: [Result] + 归因于 + [Cause]. For example, 'The increase in pollution is attributed to the number of cars.' (污染的增加归因于汽车的数量). You should also learn the '把' (bǎ) version: [Subject] + 把 + [Result] + 归因于 + [Cause]. This allows you to say 'Experts attribute the problem to...' (专家把问题归因于...). This is a key word for expressing causality in a neutral, objective way, which is essential for intermediate-level discourse.

At the B2 level, '归因于' (guīyīn yú) should be a standard part of your vocabulary for academic and professional contexts. You should understand the nuances between this word and its more specific counterparts like '归功于' (to credit) and '归咎于' (to blame). At this level, you are expected to handle complex topics such as psychology, business strategy, and historical analysis. '归因于' is frequently used in 'Attribution Theory' (归因理论) in psychology, which discusses how people explain the causes of events. You should be able to use it to describe multi-factorial causes, such as 'The company's success can be attributed to a combination of market timing, innovative products, and strong leadership.' You should also be aware of its use in the passive voice and how it can be modified by adverbs like '主要' (mainly), '部分' (partially), or '完全' (completely) to add precision to your claims. Using this word correctly demonstrates a high level of cognitive and linguistic maturity.

At the C1 level, your use of '归因于' (guīyīn yú) should be seamless and contextually precise. You should be able to appreciate its use in high-level literature, legal documents, and philosophical texts. At this stage, you might explore how '归因于' is used to construct complex arguments or to deconstruct the claims of others. For instance, in a debate, you might say, '虽然对方将此现象归因于经济因素，但我们认为文化因素更为关键' (Although the opponent attributes this phenomenon to economic factors, we believe cultural factors are more critical). You should also be familiar with related formal expressions like '源于' (originate from) or '由此可见' (from this it can be seen) to create a cohesive flow in your analytical writing. Your ability to distinguish when to use the neutral '归因于' versus the more emotionally charged '归咎于' or '归功于' will reflect your deep understanding of Chinese social dynamics and rhetorical strategies. You are now using the word not just to communicate, but to persuade and analyze at a professional level.

At the C2 level, '归因于' (guīyīn yú) is a tool for nuanced intellectual inquiry. You understand not only its grammatical function but also its history and the philosophical implications of its use in different disciplines. You might encounter it in discussions about 'causality' (因果关系) in classical and modern Chinese thought. At this level, you can use it to articulate extremely subtle points, such as the difference between direct and indirect attribution in legal or scientific contexts. You can effortlessly switch between different registers, knowing exactly when '归因于' provides the necessary gravitas and when a different construction might be more stylistically appropriate. Your mastery of this word allows you to engage with the most complex Chinese texts, from doctoral theses to high-level political manifestos, where the precise attribution of cause and effect is often the central point of contention. You use this word with the precision of a native scholar, fully aware of its power to shape the logic of an entire discourse.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

归因于 in 30 Seconds

归因于 is a formal Chinese verb phrase meaning 'to attribute to,' linking a result to its underlying cause in academic or professional contexts.
The standard grammatical structure is [Effect] + 归因于 + [Cause], emphasizing the logical connection between an outcome and its origin.
It is more formal and analytical than '因为' (because) and is commonly used in news reports, scientific papers, and psychological studies.
Variations include the '把' construction: [Subject] + 把 + [Effect] + 归因于 + [Cause], which clarifies who is making the attribution.

The Chinese verb phrase 归因于 (guīyīn yú) is a sophisticated linguistic tool used to establish a logical bridge between an effect and its underlying cause. At its core, it translates to "to attribute to" or "to ascribe to." Unlike the simple conjunction 'because' (因为), which functions as a connector of clauses, 归因于 acts as a formal verb that identifies the source of a specific outcome. In the landscape of Chinese communication, this term is indispensable for academic writing, professional reporting, and psychological analysis. When you use 归因于, you are not just stating a reason; you are performing an analytical act of tracing a phenomenon back to its roots. This word is most frequently encountered in contexts where precision is paramount. For instance, a scientist might use it to explain a laboratory result, or an economist might use it to describe market fluctuations. It carries a neutral to formal tone, making it the preferred choice for those who wish to sound objective and well-educated. The structure typically follows a [Result] + 归因于 + [Cause] format, which mirrors the English 'The success is attributed to hard work.' Understanding this word allows learners to move beyond basic conversational Chinese into the realm of professional and intellectual discourse.

Formal Attribution: Used in news and research to link outcomes to specific variables without emotional bias.
Psychological Context: Commonly used in 'Attribution Theory' (归因理论) to discuss how people perceive the causes of behavior.
Objective Analysis: Provides a neutral platform to discuss both positive and negative results without necessarily assigning praise or blame.

科学界将这一发现归因于长期的实验研究。(The scientific community attributes this discovery to long-term experimental research.)

他的成功被归因于不懈的努力和一点点运气。(His success was attributed to unremitting effort and a bit of luck.)

气候变化往往被归因于人类活动。(Climate change is often attributed to human activity.)

我们不能把所有问题都归因于外部因素。(We cannot attribute all problems to external factors.)

这种经济现象可以归因于消费者的信心增强。(This economic phenomenon can be attributed to increased consumer confidence.)

In summary, 归因于 is a bridge-building verb. It allows a speaker to take a complex situation and point directly to its origin. Whether you are analyzing a historical event, a biological process, or a business failure, this phrase provides the structural integrity needed for high-level Chinese communication. It signals to your audience that you are thinking critically and looking beyond the surface level of events.

Mastering the syntax of 归因于 is crucial for achieving fluency in formal Chinese. The most common grammatical structure is [Effect/Result] + 归因于 + [Cause/Factor]. This is a direct predicate-object relationship where the result is the subject. However, there is a very common variation using the '把' (bǎ) construction: [Person/Observer] + 把 + [Effect] + 归因于 + [Cause]. This second version is used when you want to emphasize who is making the attribution. For example, 'Researchers attribute the change to X' would use the '把' structure. It is also important to note that 归因于 is often used in the passive voice, though Chinese passive markers like '被' (bèi) are sometimes omitted if the context is clear. When using this phrase, ensure that the 'cause' following '于' is a noun or a noun phrase. You cannot follow it with a full sentence or a verb phrase without turning it into a nominalized form. This requirement for nominalization is what gives the word its formal, academic weight.

Direct Structure: Outcome + 归因于 + Reason. Example: 失败归因于缺乏准备。(Failure is attributed to a lack of preparation.)
The 'Ba' Construction: Subject + 把 + Outcome + 归因于 + Reason. Example: 他把高分归因于运气。(He attributes the high score to luck.)
Negative Usage: Cannot be attributed to. Example: 这种现象不能简单地归因于贫困。(This phenomenon cannot be simply attributed to poverty.)

许多心理学家将这种行为归因于童年的经历。(Many psychologists attribute this behavior to childhood experiences.)

公司的利润增长可以归因于新的市场策略。(The growth in company profits can be attributed to the new market strategy.)

这一错误被归因于技术故障。(This error was attributed to a technical glitch.)

When writing essays, using 归因于 helps you avoid repeating '因为' (because). It allows you to vary your sentence structure and demonstrate a higher command of Chinese vocabulary. Remember that 归因于 is descriptive. It explains a link. If you want to specifically praise someone for a success, you might prefer 归功于 (guīgōng yú - attribute success to), and if you want to blame someone for a failure, you might use 归咎于 (guījiù yú - attribute fault to). However, 归因于 is the most versatile as it remains neutral.

While you might not hear 归因于 in a bustling wet market or during a casual dinner with friends, it is a staple of the Chinese media and academic landscape. If you turn on CCTV News (新闻联播) or read an editorial in the People's Daily (人民日报), you will encounter this phrase frequently. It is the language of experts—economists discussing inflation, doctors explaining health trends, and sociologists analyzing urban shifts. In a corporate setting, during a quarterly review or a project post-mortem, a manager might say, "我们将本季度的亏损归因于供应链的中断" (We attribute this quarter's losses to supply chain disruptions). It is also very common in the field of psychology, which is a growing interest in modern Chinese society. Terms like 'Internal Attribution' (内归因) and 'External Attribution' (外归因) are used by therapists and self-help authors to describe how individuals process their successes and failures. In university lectures, professors use 归因于 to link historical events to their causes, such as attributing the fall of a dynasty to corruption or natural disasters. Understanding this word is like holding a key to the 'intellectual' layer of Chinese society.

News Media: Used to report on the causes of social phenomena, economic changes, or international conflicts.
Academic Journals: Essential for discussing methodology and results in scientific and social research papers.
Business Reports: Utilized in annual reports to explain performance metrics to shareholders and stakeholders.

专家将房价上涨归因于土地供应不足。(Experts attribute the rise in house prices to insufficient land supply.)

在心理学课上，老师解释了人们如何将失败归因于运气。(In psychology class, the teacher explained how people attribute failure to luck.)

Furthermore, in the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) exams, particularly levels 5 and 6, 归因于 is a common vocabulary item in the reading and writing sections. Being able to recognize and use it correctly is a hallmark of a student who has transitioned from 'survival Chinese' to 'academic Chinese.' It shows that you can handle abstract concepts and logical reasoning in your target language.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 归因于 is reversing the logical order of the sentence. Because English speakers often think 'Cause results in Effect,' they might mistakenly try to put the cause before 归因于. However, in the standard structure, the result comes first. Think of it as 'Result is attributed to Cause.' Another common error is using 归因于 in an overly casual context. Saying 'I attribute my hunger to not eating breakfast' (我把我的饥饿归因于没吃早饭) sounds unnaturally stiff and robotic in daily conversation. In such cases, a simple '因为' (because) or '由于' (due to) is much more appropriate. Additionally, learners often forget the '于' (yú) at the end. While '归因' can stand alone as a noun meaning 'attribution,' the verbal phrase requires the preposition '于' to connect to the cause. Finally, there is the confusion between 归因于 and its siblings: 归功于 (crediting success) and 归咎于 (blaming for failure). Using 归因于 is safe because it is neutral, but using 归咎于 for a positive outcome would be a significant semantic error.

Logical Reversal: Incorrect: 努力归因于成功 (Hard work attributes to success). Correct: 成功归因于努力 (Success is attributed to hard work).
Missing Preposition: Incorrect: 他归因他的失败。 Correct: 他把失败归因于... (He attributes his failure to...).
Tone Mismatch: Using it in casual slang or with very trivial topics makes the speaker sound like they are reading a textbook.

错误：他归因于迟到了。 (Incorrect: He attributed to being late - lacks the object/result being attributed).

正确：他将迟到归因于交通堵塞。(Correct: He attributed being late to traffic jams.)

To avoid these pitfalls, always identify your 'Result' and your 'Cause' before you start the sentence. If you are using '把', the Result goes after '把' and the Cause goes after '归因于'. This mental checklist will help you maintain grammatical accuracy and sound like a sophisticated speaker.

Understanding 归因于 requires knowing where it sits among its synonyms. The most common alternative is 由于 (yóuyú), which means 'due to'. While 由于 can start a sentence (e.g., 由于天气不好... - Due to bad weather...), 归因于 is a verb that links two parts of a sentence. Another close relative is 归功于 (guīgōng yú), which is specifically used for positive outcomes. If a team wins a championship, they would say '归功于教练' (credit the coach). On the flip side, 归咎于 (guījiù yú) is used to assign blame for a failure or disaster. For example, '归咎于疏忽' (blame it on negligence). For a more general, less formal 'because,' you have 因为 (yīnwèi). In academic contexts, you might also see 源于 (yuányú), meaning 'originates from,' which is similar but emphasizes the starting point rather than the causal link. Finally, 取决于 (qǔjué yú) means 'depends on,' which looks forward to a condition, whereas 归因于 looks backward at a cause. Choosing the right one depends entirely on the nuance of your message and the formality of the situation.

归因于 vs. 归功于: 归因于 is neutral (can be good or bad). 归功于 is purely positive (giving credit).
归因于 vs. 归咎于: 归因于 is neutral. 归咎于 is purely negative (assigning blame).
归因于 vs. 因为: 归因于 is a formal verb phrase. 因为 is a common conjunction used in daily speech.

他的成功归功于团队的支持。(His success is credited to the team's support.)

这次事故被归咎于人为错误。(This accident was blamed on human error.)

By learning these distinctions, you can fine-tune your Chinese to express subtle differences in attitude. Are you being an objective observer (归因于), a grateful recipient (归功于), or a critical judge (归咎于)? Your choice of word tells the listener as much about your perspective as it does about the facts of the situation.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Chinese, '于' was one of the most common prepositions. While many modern Chinese words have dropped it, formal academic phrases like 归因于, 取决于, and 致力于 (devote to) still preserve it, giving them a prestigious, classical 'flavor'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ɡweɪ-jɪn jǔ

US ɡweɪ-jɪn jǔ

Primary stress on 'gui' and 'yin', with a tonal rise on 'yu'.

Rhymes With

归 (guī) rhymes with 推 (tuī), 堆 (duī). 因 (yīn) rhymes with 心 (xīn), 金 (jīn). 于 (yú) rhymes with 鱼 (yú), 语 (yǔ - different tone).

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'gui' like 'gooey'. It should be a short 'gway' sound.
Falling tone on 'yin'. It must remain flat (1st tone).
Pronouncing 'yu' like 'yoo'. It requires the 'ü' mouth shape (rounded lips).
Mixing up the tones, making it sound like 'guǐyǐn' (ghost drink).
Forgetting the 'y' sound in 'yu'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Found in complex texts; requires understanding of formal prepositions like '于'.

Writing 5/5

Requires correct logical ordering of Result and Cause, which is often flipped by learners.

Speaking 4/5

Used in formal speeches or presentations; sounds unnatural in casual chat.

Listening 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but usually delivered in fast-paced news or lectures.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

因为 (yīnwèi) 原因 (yuányīn) 于 (yú) 由于 (yóuyú) 结果 (jiéguǒ)

Learn Next

归功于 (guīgōng yú) 归咎于 (guījiù yú) 取决于 (qǔjué yú) 致力于 (zhìlì yú) 鉴于 (jiànyú)

Advanced

因果律 (yīnguǒ lǜ) 逻辑推导 (luójí tuīdǎo) 溯源 (sùyuán) 诠释 (quánshì) 范畴 (fànchóu)

Grammar to Know

The '于' Prepositional Phrase

In 归因于, '于' introduces the object of attribution, similar to 'to' in English.

The '把' Construction for Transitive Verbs

Subject + 把 + Object + Verb Phrase (e.g., 他把成功归因于努力).

Passive Voice with '被'

Object + 被 + 归因于 + Cause (e.g., 失败被归因于运气).

Adverbial Modification

Adverbs like '主要', '完全', '仅仅' come before '归因于'.

Nominalization of the Cause

The element following '归因于' must be a noun or a nominalized verb phrase.

Examples by Level

他的病归因于天气。

His illness is attributed to the weather.

Simple Result + 归因于 + Cause.

成功归因于努力。

Success is attributed to hard work.

Abstract nouns used with 归因于.

水少归因于没有雨。

The lack of water is attributed to no rain.

A1 level simplified logic.

他累归因于工作多。

He is tired due to having a lot of work.

Using 归因于 to link a physical state to a cause.

花红归因于阳光。

The flowers are red due to the sunlight.

Basic natural cause and effect.

他快乐归因于家人。

His happiness is attributed to his family.

Emotional state attribution.

路堵归因于车多。

The traffic jam is attributed to too many cars.

Common everyday observation.

天黑归因于晚上。

The sky is dark due to it being night.

Simplest possible causal link.

这次失败可以归因于粗心。

This failure can be attributed to carelessness.

Adding '可以' (can) to soften the statement.

他的进步归因于每天练习。

His progress is attributed to daily practice.

Linking progress to a habit.

比赛赢了归因于团队合作。

Winning the game is attributed to teamwork.

Focus on collective cause.

这个错误归因于误解。

This error is attributed to a misunderstanding.

Abstract noun '误解' (misunderstanding) as cause.

天气冷归因于冬天到了。

The cold weather is attributed to the arrival of winter.

Temporal cause.

他变胖归因于吃太多甜食。

His weight gain is attributed to eating too many sweets.

Behavioral attribution.

公司成功归因于好领导。

The company's success is attributed to good leadership.

Business context.

他迟到归因于闹钟没响。

His lateness is attributed to the alarm not going off.

Specific event attribution.

专家将气候变化归因于温室效应。

Experts attribute climate change to the greenhouse effect.

Using the '将...归因于...' (attribute A to B) structure.

这种现象通常归因于社会压力。

This phenomenon is usually attributed to social pressure.

Adding the adverb '通常' (usually).

经济增长归因于科技的进步。

Economic growth is attributed to technological progress.

Formal academic tone.

我们不能把一切都归因于运气。

We cannot attribute everything to luck.

Negative construction '不能把...归因于...'.

事故的原因被归因于机械故障。

The cause of the accident was attributed to mechanical failure.

Passive voice with '被'.

他将自己的长寿归因于健康饮食。

He attributes his longevity to a healthy diet.

Personal attribution using '将'.

销售额下降归因于市场竞争激烈。

The drop in sales is attributed to fierce market competition.

Business analysis.

这种病的流行归因于环境污染。

The prevalence of this disease is attributed to environmental pollution.

Scientific/Health context.

心理学家将此行为归因于内在动机。

Psychologists attribute this behavior to intrinsic motivation.

Psychological terminology '内在动机'.

历史学家将帝国的衰落归因于内部腐败。

Historians attribute the decline of the empire to internal corruption.

Historical analysis.

该项研究将结论归因于大量的实验数据。

The study attributes the conclusion to a large amount of experimental data.

Research context.

他把公司的亏损主要归因于管理不善。

He mainly attributes the company's losses to poor management.

Using '主要' (mainly) for emphasis.

这种艺术风格可以归因于多种文化的融合。

This artistic style can be attributed to the fusion of multiple cultures.

Cultural/Artistic analysis.

这种药物的副作用被归因于其化学成分。

The side effects of this drug were attributed to its chemical composition.

Medical/Passive voice.

贫困问题不能仅仅归因于个人懒惰。

The problem of poverty cannot be attributed merely to individual laziness.

Complex social argument using '不仅仅'.

他的这种性格变化归因于长期的孤立。

This change in his personality is attributed to long-term isolation.

Psychological/Developmental context.

这一社会问题的根源可归因于教育资源的不平等分配。

The root of this social problem can be attributed to the unequal distribution of educational resources.

Sophisticated noun phrase '不平等分配'.

批评家将这部作品的成功归因于其独特的叙事视角。

Critics attribute the success of this work to its unique narrative perspective.

Literary criticism context.

通货膨胀的加剧被归因于货币供应量的过度扩张。

The intensification of inflation is attributed to the excessive expansion of the money supply.

Advanced economic terminology.

我们将这种生物的多样性归因于数百万年的演化过程。

We attribute the diversity of this species to millions of years of evolutionary processes.

Scientific/Biological context.

法律学者将犯罪率的下降部分归因于严厉的法律制裁。

Legal scholars partially attribute the drop in crime rates to strict legal sanctions.

Legal/Sociological analysis.

该地区的政治动荡常被归因于深层的种族矛盾。

Political instability in the region is often attributed to deep-seated ethnic conflicts.

Geopolitical analysis.

他将这种哲学思想的产生归因于当时的社会变革。

He attributes the emergence of this philosophical thought to the social changes of the time.

Intellectual history context.

这种心理防御机制可以归因于个体对焦虑的无意识处理。

This psychological defense mechanism can be attributed to an individual's unconscious processing of anxiety.

Advanced psychoanalytic terminology.

后现代主义者往往将客观真理的消解归因于语言的局限性。

Post-modernists often attribute the dissolution of objective truth to the limitations of language.

High-level philosophical discourse.

该论文将全球金融危机的爆发归因于监管体制的结构性缺陷。

The paper attributes the outbreak of the global financial crisis to structural flaws in the regulatory system.

Sophisticated financial analysis.

我们将人类文明的进步在很大程度上归因于知识的累积与传承。

We attribute the progress of human civilization largely to the accumulation and transmission of knowledge.

Broad historical synthesis.

这种现象的复杂性使得我们很难将其归因于单一的决定因素。

The complexity of this phenomenon makes it difficult for us to attribute it to a single determining factor.

Epistemological caution.

社会学家将阶级流动的停滞归因于社会资本的封闭性。

Sociologists attribute the stagnation of class mobility to the closed nature of social capital.

Advanced sociological theory.

这种文学流派的兴起被归因于对浪漫主义美学的反动。

The rise of this literary genre was attributed to a reaction against Romantic aesthetics.

Aesthetic and literary history.

科学家将这种基因突变的频率归因于环境压力的选择性作用。

Scientists attribute the frequency of this genetic mutation to the selective action of environmental pressures.

Complex biological mechanism.

该学说将这种心理异化归因于现代工业社会对个体主体性的剥夺。

The theory attributes this psychological alienation to the deprivation of individual subjectivity by modern industrial society.

Marxist/Existentialist terminology.

Synonyms

归功于由于源于取决于

Antonyms

导致引起

Common Collocations

归因于运气

归因于外部因素

归因于缺乏经验

归因于气候变化

归因于社会背景

主要归因于

可以归因于

归因于内因

归因于基因

归因于误判

Common Phrases

内归因

— Internal attribution. Attributing causes to one's own traits or efforts.

内归因有助于提高个人责任感。

外归因

— External attribution. Attributing causes to situational factors or luck.

过度外归因可能导致逃避责任。

归因理论

— Attribution Theory. A psychological framework for understanding causality.

归因理论是社会心理学的重要部分。

错误归因

— Misattribution. Attributing an effect to the wrong cause.

这种感觉是对恐惧的错误归因。

简单归因

— Simple attribution. Over-simplifying the cause of a complex event.

我们不能对复杂的危机进行简单归因。

自我归因

— Self-attribution. How an individual explains their own behavior.

自我归因偏差在投资中很常见。

结果归因

— Outcome attribution. Linking a final result to its causes.

我们需要对项目的结果归因进行深入分析。

行为归因

— Behavioral attribution. Explaining why someone acted a certain way.

对他人的行为归因往往带有主观性。

多重归因

— Multiple attribution. Identifying several causes for one effect.

历史事件往往需要多重归因。

合理归因

— Rational attribution. Making a logical link between cause and effect.

合理归因能帮助我们总结经验。

Often Confused With

归因于 vs 原因 (yuányīn)

原因 is a noun meaning 'reason'. 归因于 is a verb phrase meaning 'to attribute to'.

归因于 vs 由于 (yóuyú)

由于 is a conjunction used to introduce a reason. 归因于 is a verb that links a result to a cause.

归因于 vs 归功于 (guīgōng yú)

Specifically for positive attribution (credit). 归因于 is neutral.

Idioms & Expressions

"因果报应"

— Retribution. The idea that every cause has an effect, often in a moral sense.

他相信因果报应。

General/Religious

"事出有因"

— Things happen for a reason. There is a cause behind every event.

他突然辞职，想必是事出有因。

Common

"追根溯源"

— To trace back to the source. Finding the ultimate cause.

我们要对这个问题追根溯源。

Formal

"无风不起浪"

— There's no smoke without fire. Every rumor has a cause.

无风不起浪，他肯定有问题。

Informal

"解铃还须系铃人"

— The one who tied the bell must untie it. The cause must solve the problem.

这事儿得找他，解铃还须系铃人。

Common

"寻根究底"

— To get to the bottom of things. Investigating the cause thoroughly.

他总是喜欢对事情寻根究底。

Common

"因地制宜"

— To act according to local conditions. Adapting to the cause/environment.

我们要因地制宜，制定计划。

Formal

"前因后果"

— The whole story. The sequence of cause and effect.

请你把事情的前因后果说清楚。

Common

"根深蒂固"

— Deep-rooted. A cause that has been established for a long time.

这种偏见在他心里根深蒂固。

Formal

"对症下药"

— To prescribe the right medicine for the illness. Addressing the specific cause.

只有对症下药，才能解决问题。

Common

Easily Confused

归因于 vs 归咎于

Similar structure and sound.

归咎于 is specifically for negative results (blame), while 归因于 is neutral.

我们不能把所有错都归咎于他。

归因于 vs 取决于

Both end in '于' and describe relationships.

取决于 means 'depends on' (looking forward), while 归因于 means 'attributed to' (looking backward).

明天去不去取决于天气。

归因于 vs 致力于

Similar formal structure.

致力于 means 'devoted to' or 'dedicated to' an action or goal.

他致力于环境保护。

归因于 vs 源于

Both describe the origin of something.

源于 emphasizes the starting point or source, while 归因于 emphasizes the logical cause.

这个故事源于一个古老的传说。

归因于 vs 出于

Both describe reasons for actions.

出于 usually describes internal motivations (e.g., 'out of curiosity'), while 归因于 is more general.

他这样做是出于同情。

Sentence Patterns

[Result] 归因于 [Cause]

失败归因于粗心。

把 [Result] 归因于 [Cause]

他把成功归因于好运。

[Result] 可以归因于 [Cause]

这种现象可以归因于文化差异。

[Result] 被归因于 [Cause]

事故被归因于人为错误。

[Result] 主要归因于 [Cause]

经济危机主要归因于过度借贷。

将 [Result] 归因于 [Cause] 是不准确的

将贫困归因于懒惰是不准确的。

与其将 [Result] 归因于 A，不如将其归因于 B

与其将成功归因于天赋，不如将其归因于汗水。

[Result] 的根源可归因于 [Cause]

冲突的根源可归因于历史积怨。

Word Family

Nouns

归因 (guīyīn) - Attribution

原因 (yuányīn) - Reason/Cause

因素 (yīnsù) - Factor

因果 (yīnguǒ) - Cause and effect

Verbs

归 (guī) - To return/To belong

归结 (guījié) - To sum up/To conclude

归属于 (guīshǔ yú) - To belong to

Adjectives

因果性的 (yīnguǒ xìng de) - Causal

归功 (guīgōng)

归咎 (guījiù)

取决于 (qǔjué yú)

源于 (yuányú)

由于 (yóuyú)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in written Chinese, news, and academic settings; rare in daily casual speech.

Common Mistakes

努力归因于成功 (Hard work attributes to success). → 成功归因于努力 (Success is attributed to hard work).
The logical order is reversed. In Chinese, as in English 'attributed to', the result must come first.
归因于他没来。 (Attributed to he didn't come.) → 归因于他的缺席。 (Attributed to his absence.)
归因于 must be followed by a noun or noun phrase, not a full clause. You need to nominalize the reason.
他归因他的成功于努力。 (He attributes his success to effort - English word order). → 他将成功归因于努力。 (He [marker] success attributes to effort).
In the 'attribute A to B' structure, Chinese uses the '把' or '将' construction to place the result before the verb.
我把我的饿归因于没吃饭。 (I attribute my hunger to not eating.) → 我因为没吃饭所以饿了。 (I'm hungry because I didn't eat.)
Using 归因于 for trivial, daily matters sounds unnaturally formal. It's a register error.
这事归因运气。 (This matter attributes luck.) → 这事归因于运气。 (This matter attributes TO luck.)
Forgetting the '于' (yú) makes the sentence ungrammatical. The '于' is essential to link the verb to the cause.

Tips

Master the Result-First Rule

Always remember that the effect comes before 归因于. If you say 'Smoking attributes to lung cancer' in the wrong order, it sounds like lung cancer causes smoking. Always check: [Outcome] 归因于 [Reason].

Neutrality is Key

Use 归因于 when you want to remain objective. If you aren't sure if an event is a 'success' or a 'failure' (or if you don't want to sound biased), 归因于 is your safest bet.

Upgrade Your Writing

In HSK 5 or 6 essays, replace some of your '因为' with '归因于'. It instantly elevates the tone of your writing from 'student level' to 'scholar level'.

Use in Presentations

When presenting data or results, use '我们将此项增长归因于...' (We attribute this growth to...). It sounds professional and gives your audience a clear logical path.

Identify the 'Yu'

Train your ear to catch the 'yu' at the end of formal verbs. It's a signal that a prepositional object is coming next. This helps you parse long, complex sentences in news broadcasts.

Learn the Theory

If you are interested in psychology, look up '归因理论'. It's a great way to see 归因于 used in a specialized field and will help you learn related terms like '偏差' (bias).

Effort vs. Luck

In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on attributing success to '努力' (effort). Using 归因于 to discuss this topic is a common way to engage in cultural and educational debates.

HSK Favorite

This is a frequent word in HSK reading comprehension. Pay attention to the sentences around it to quickly identify the cause-and-effect structure of the paragraph.

The Return Trip

Think of the character '归' (to return). You are 'returning' the result to its 'cause' (因). It's a return trip to the origin of the problem.

Avoid Overuse

Don't use 归因于 for simple, everyday things like 'I'm late because of traffic.' It's too formal. Save it for big topics like the economy, health, or social trends.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'GUI' as 'Going back', 'YIN' as 'Reason', and 'YU' as 'To'. So, 'Going back to the reason'.

Visual Association

Imagine an arrow pointing from a trophy (Success) back to a person running (Hard work). The arrow is labeled '归因于'.

Word Web

原因 (Reason) 结果 (Result) 归功 (Credit) 归咎 (Blame) 由于 (Due to) 因为 (Because) 因果 (Causality) 源头 (Source)

Challenge

Try to write three sentences today about your day: one thing that went well, one that didn't, and one neutral observation, all using '归因于'.

Word Origin

The phrase is composed of three characters: 归 (return), 因 (cause), and 于 (to/at). It follows the classical Chinese structure of 'returning a result to its cause.' '归' historically meant a woman returning to her husband's home, later generalizing to any return or belonging. '因' represents a person on a mat, signifying a base or foundation—the cause.

Original meaning: To return the cause to something; to find the origin of an effect.

Sino-Tibetan / Sinitic

Cultural Context

It is a neutral term, but be careful when attributing negative social issues to specific groups of people to avoid sounding biased.

English speakers use 'attribute to' in similar contexts, but might use 'because of' more often in semi-formal situations where a Chinese speaker would prefer '归因于'.

Used extensively in Chinese translations of Fritz Heider's Attribution Theory. Commonly found in the 'Analysis' section of Chinese economic white papers. Frequently used by Chinese motivational speakers when discussing the 'Mindset of Success'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Academic Research

结果归因于 (Results attributed to)
数据归因于 (Data attributed to)
误差归因于 (Error attributed to)
现象归因于 (Phenomenon attributed to)

Business Meetings

亏损归因于 (Losses attributed to)
增长归因于 (Growth attributed to)
延误归因于 (Delays attributed to)
成功归因于 (Success attributed to)

Psychology

行为归因于 (Behavior attributed to)
动机归因于 (Motivation attributed to)
情绪归因于 (Emotion attributed to)
性格归因于 (Personality attributed to)

News/Politics

动荡归因于 (Instability attributed to)
政策归因于 (Policy attributed to)
危机归因于 (Crisis attributed to)
变化归因于 (Change attributed to)

Science/Nature

变异归因于 (Mutation attributed to)
演化归因于 (Evolution attributed to)
反应归因于 (Reaction attributed to)
灾害归因于 (Disaster attributed to)

Conversation Starters

"你觉得这次项目的成功主要归因于什么？ (What do you think the success of this project is mainly attributed to?)"

"很多人将贫富差距归因于教育，你同意吗？ (Many attribute the wealth gap to education, do you agree?)"

"心理学家如何将一个人的性格归因于他的童年？ (How do psychologists attribute a person's character to their childhood?)"

"你认为最近的天气异常可以归因于全球变暖吗？ (Do you think the recent weather anomalies can be attributed to global warming?)"

"如果我们要对公司的亏损进行归因分析，你会从哪里开始？ (If we were to conduct an attribution analysis of the company's losses, where would you start?)"

Journal Prompts

回顾你最近的一次失败。如果你要客观地将其归因于三个因素，它们会是什么？

写一段关于你最佩服的人的文章，将他们的成就归因于他们的个人品质。

分析你所在城市的交通问题，并将其归因于城市规划或人口增长。

探讨现代人的焦虑感。你会将其归因于社交媒体还是生活节奏的加快？

写一篇关于你学习汉语经历的文章，将你的进步归因于具体的学习方法。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can. 归因于 is a neutral term. However, for specifically positive outcomes, '归功于' (guīgōng yú) sounds more natural and appreciative. For example, '成功归因于努力' is correct and objective, while '成功归功于努力' adds a sense of giving credit.

'因为' is a conjunction used to connect two clauses (e.g., Because it rained, I stayed home). '归因于' is a verb phrase that links a noun (the result) to another noun (the cause). It is much more formal and used in analytical writing rather than daily conversation.

Absolutely. In the structure 'A 归因于 B', A must be the result and B must be the cause. If you flip them, the sentence will mean the opposite or make no sense. For example, '成功归因于努力' (Success is attributed to effort) is correct. '努力归因于成功' would mean 'Effort is attributed to success,' which is logically backwards.

No. 归因于 should be followed by a noun or a noun phrase. If you want to use a verbal idea, you must nominalize it. For example, instead of saying '归因于他没吃饭', you should say '归因于他没吃饭这一事实' or simply '归因于饥饿'.

It is common in formal spoken Chinese, such as in news reports, university lectures, or business presentations. You won't hear it much in casual chats with friends, where people prefer '因为' or '就是因为'.

In this context, '于' is a formal preposition meaning 'to'. It is a remnant of Classical Chinese and is used in many formal modern Chinese verbs to connect them to an object.

Yes, the '把' construction is very common: 'Subject + 把 + Result + 归因于 + Cause'. For example: '他把失败归因于运气不好' (He attributes the failure to bad luck).

It is similar, but 'due to' is often translated as '由于'. '归因于' is specifically the verb 'to attribute to'. While they often convey the same logic, their grammatical roles in a sentence differ slightly.

Yes, '归因' (guīyīn) can be used as a noun meaning 'attribution' or as a verb meaning 'to attribute'. For example, '归因理论' (Attribution Theory).

It is '内归因' (nèiguīyīn). It refers to the psychological tendency to attribute results to one's own internal characteristics, like ability or effort.