A2 noun Formal #5,500 most common 1 min read

缘故

yuán gù /ywǎn kû/
Practice it

Yuan'gu is a formal noun used to state the reason behind an occurrence.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Used to explain the cause or reason for an event.
  • More formal than the common word '原因'.
  • Often used in the structure '由于...的缘故'.

Overview

  1. 1概述：缘故是一个书面色彩较浓的名词，用来表示引起某种结果的原因或理由。它在句子中通常作为名词性成分，强调事情背后的逻辑关联。2) 使用模式：在句中，它常与“因为”、“由于”等连词搭配使用，构成“由于……的缘故”或“因为……的缘故”等结构。这种表达方式比简单的“因为”显得更加正式和书面化。3) 常见语境：它常出现在叙事、书面报告或正式说明中，用来详细阐述某一行为或现象的起因。例如，在描述天气变化导致活动取消时，使用“由于天气原因的缘故”会显得更加严谨。4) 近义词辨析：与“原因”相比，“缘故”带有更强的叙述性，往往用于解释具体的人或事；与“理由”相比，“缘故”更倾向于客观事实的陈述，而“理由”则常带有主观辩解的意味。

Examples

1

由于身体的缘故，他没能参加会议。

formal

Due to health reasons, he could not attend the meeting.

2

不知道什么缘故，他今天看起来很不高兴。

everyday

For some reason, he looks very unhappy today.

Common Collocations

某种缘故 for some reason
由于……的缘故 due to the reason of...

Common Phrases

无缘无故

without any reason; for no reason at all

Often Confused With

缘故 vs 原因

Yuan'yin is the most common word for 'reason' and is neutral in formality. Yuan'gu is more literary and formal.

Grammar Patterns

由于 [原因] 的缘故 因为 [原因] 的缘故 什么缘故

How to Use It

Usage Notes

Yuan'gu is primarily used in writing or formal speech. It functions as a noun and is almost always preceded by a modifier or a causal conjunction. Avoid using it as a direct replacement for 'because' in quick text messaging.

Common Mistakes

Learners often use it without the particle '的'. Remember that '缘故' usually requires a modifier, so '由于...的缘故' is the standard pattern. Do not use it as a verb.

Tips

💡

Use with '由于' for formality

Combine '由于' and '缘故' to create a very professional and formal explanation for any situation.

⚠️

Avoid overusing in casual chat

Using '缘故' in very casual text messages might make you sound slightly stiff or overly formal.

🌍

Literary flavor of Chinese

The word '缘' (fate/connection) carries a cultural nuance of interconnectedness, making '缘故' sound more thoughtful than a mechanical '原因'.

Word Origin

Derived from '缘' (fate/cause) and '故' (happening/reason). It historically refers to the underlying source or path that leads to a specific outcome.

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, emphasizing the 'reason' (缘故) behind an action is seen as a way to show politeness and provide clarity, especially when declining an invitation.

Memory Tip

Think of '缘' as destiny or connection. '缘故' is the 'connection' or 'track' that led to the event.

Frequently Asked Questions

3 questions

“原因”是通用词，口语和书面语均可使用；“缘故”偏向书面语，常用于较正式的叙述中。两者在多数情况下可以互换，但“缘故”更强调事情发生的逻辑背景。

通常不建议单独使用。它通常需要配合“由于”、“因为”或者具体的修饰语（如“某种缘故”）来完整表达意思。

可以使用，但会显得比较文雅或正式。在日常随意交流中，人们更倾向于使用“原因”或“因为”。

Test Yourself

fill blank

由于天气不好的___，我们取消了旅行。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 缘故

在“由于...的”结构后，使用“缘故”最为地道且符合语法习惯。

Score: /1

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