Meaning of 因而
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- therefore
- as a result
- thus
- and as a result, ...
How to use 因而
因而 is a fairly formal connector used in writing, news, and speeches to introduce a result. It usually starts the second clause, after a comma. Example: 他每天练习，因而进步很快。(Tā měitiān liànxí, yīn'ér jìnbù hěn kuài.) He practices every day, and as a result he improves quickly.
因 (yīn) means cause, as in 原因 (yuányīn), and 而 (ér) links two ideas. Put them together and you get a cause that leads straight into its result: therefore.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 因而 (therefore) with 然而 (rán'ér, however) because both end in 而, but they point in opposite directions. Also, do not pair 因而 with 因为 in the first clause the way you might pair 因为 with 所以. Put a reason first and let 因而 carry the result.
因而 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
因 yīn · cause · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
而 ér · and · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 因而.
| 因为 | yīnwèi | because; owing to; on account of |
| 而且 | érqiě | (not only ...) but also; moreover; in addition; furthermore |
| 原因 | yuányīn | cause; origin |
| 因此 | yīncǐ | thus; consequently; as a result |
| 而是 | ér shì | rather |
| 然而 | rán'ér | however; but; yet |
| 反而 | fǎn'ér | on the contrary; instead |
| 从而 | cóng'ér | thus; thereby |
| 因素 | yīnsù | element; factor |
| 时而 | shí'ér | occasionally; from time to time |
| 而已 | éryǐ | that's all; nothing more |
| 基因 | jīyīn | gene (loanword) |
Questions about 因而
What does 因而 mean?
因而 (yīn'ér) means "therefore; as a result" and is used as a conjunction.
How do you write 因而?
因而 is made of 2 characters: 因 (6 strokes), 而 (6 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 因而 an HSK word?
Yes. 因而 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 因而 and 因此?
They mean almost the same thing and are both formal. 因此 is more flexible and can start a new sentence, while 因而 usually links two clauses within one sentence.
Can I use 因而 in casual conversation?
It sounds a bit bookish in everyday speech. In casual talk, most people say 所以 (suǒyǐ) instead.