所以是因为这个才___吗？
Suǒyǐ shì yīnwèi zhège cái ___ ma?“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
Is that why ___?
Meaning: Is that why ___?
When to use: Use this to confirm whether the thing just mentioned is the cause.
Tip: Beginners sometimes drop 才 and lose the emphasis: 所以是因为这个___吗？ (needs 才 if you mean result caused by reason).
Examples ▼ 所以是因为这个才迟到的吗？
Suǒyǐ shì yīnwèi zhège cái chídào de ma?
So is that why (you) were late?
你昨天没接电话，所以是因为这个才没办法参加吗？
Nǐ zuótiān méi jiē diànhuà, suǒyǐ shì yīnwèi zhège cái méi fǎ参加 ma?
You didn't answer yesterday—so was that why you couldn't attend?
我决定___，是因为___。
Wǒ juédìng ___, shì yīnwèi ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
I decided to ___ because of ___.
Meaning: I decided to ___ because of ___.
When to use: Use the second part to introduce a cause, situation, or someone's influence for your decision.
Examples ▼ 我决定换工作，是因为想学新的技能。
Wǒ juédìng huàn gōngzuò, shì yīnwèi xiǎng xué xīn de jìnéng.
I decided to change jobs because I want to learn new skills.
我决定明年去留学，是因为那边有更好的研究机会。
Wǒ juédìng míngnián qù liúxué, shì yīnwèi nàbiān yǒu gèng hǎo de yánjiū jīhuì.
I decided to study abroad next year because there are better research opportunities.
我没___，因为我当时___。
Wǒ méi ___, yīnwèi wǒ dāngshí ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
I didn't ___ because I was ___.
Meaning: I didn't ___ because I was ___.
When to use: Use 当时 to emphasize the state or situation at that time.
Tip: Beginners sometimes use 不 (bú) instead of 没 (méi) when talking about past actions — use 没 + verb for 'didn't'.
Examples ▼ 我没接电话，因为我当时在开会。
Wǒ méi jiē diànhuà, yīnwèi wǒ dāngshí zài kāihuì.
I didn't answer because I was in a meeting.
我没参加晚饭，因为我当时生病了。
Wǒ méi cānjiā wǎnfàn, yīnwèi wǒ dāngshí shēngbìng le.
I didn't join dinner because I was sick at that time.
一个原因是___。
Yí ge yuányīn shì ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
One reason is that ___.
Meaning: One reason is that ___.
When to use: Use this to introduce one reason among several.
Examples ▼ 一个原因是交通堵塞，地铁晚点了。
Yí ge yuányīn shì jiāotōng dǔsè, dìtiě wǎndiǎn le.
One reason is traffic jams; the subway was delayed.
一个原因是预算不够，我们只能推迟计划。
Yí ge yuányīn shì yùsuàn bùgòu, wǒmen zhǐ néng tuīchí jìhuà.
One reason is the budget is insufficient, so we can only postpone the plan.
所以我才___。
Suǒyǐ wǒ cái ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
That's why I ___.
Meaning: That's why I ___.
When to use: Use 才 to emphasize that the previous reason caused the action or result.
Examples ▼ 地铁晚点了，所以我才迟到。
Dìtiě wǎndiǎn le, suǒyǐ wǒ cái chídào.
The subway was late, so that's why I was late.
天气太热了，所以我才提前走。
Tiānqì tài rè le, suǒyǐ wǒ cái tíqián zǒu.
It was too hot, so that's why I left early.
我这么问是因为___。
Wǒ zhème wèn shì yīnwèi ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
The reason I ask is ___.
Meaning: The reason I ask is ___.
When to use: Use this to explain naturally why you are asking a question.
Examples ▼ 我这么问是因为需要确认你的出发时间。
Wǒ zhème wèn shì yīnwèi xūyào quèrèn nǐ de chūfā shíjiān.
The reason I ask is because I need to confirm your departure time.
我这么问是因为上次有误会，我不想再出错。
Wǒ zhème wèn shì yīnwèi shàng cì yǒu wùhuì, wǒ bù xiǎng zài chūcuò.
I ask because there was a misunderstanding last time; I don't want mistakes again.
是什么导致了___？
Shì shénme dǎozhì le ___?“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
What led to ___?
Meaning: What led to ___?
When to use: Use this to ask about the cause of a situation or result. In speech you can also say '___是怎么回事？'.
Examples ▼ 是什么导致了项目延期？
Shì shénme dǎozhì le xiàngmù yánqī?
What led to the project's delay?
是什么导致了系统崩溃？我们需要查原因。
Shì shénme dǎozhì le xìtǒng bēngkuì? Wǒmen xūyào chá yuányīn.
What caused the system crash? We need to check the reason.
是因为___吗？
Shì yīnwèi ___ ma?“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
Was it due to ___?
Meaning: Was it due to ___?
When to use: Use this natural spoken frame to confirm a suspected cause.
Examples ▼ 你没来开会，是因为生病吗？
Nǐ méi lái kāihuì, shì yīnwèi shēngbìng ma?
You didn't come to the meeting—was it because you were sick?
演讲取消了，是因为下雨吗？
Yǎnjiǎng qǔxiāo le, shì yīnwèi xiàyǔ ma?
The talk was cancelled—was it due to the rain?
我以为___，所以就___。
Wǒ yǐwéi ___, suǒyǐ jiù ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
I thought ___, so I ___.
Meaning: I thought ___, so I ___.
When to use: 以为 often expresses what you believed at the time; it can imply you later found out it wasn't true.
Examples ▼ 我以为会议改到周五，所以就没来今天的讨论。
Wǒ yǐwéi huìyì gǎi dào zhōuwǔ, suǒyǐ jiù méi lái jīntiān de tǎolùn.
I thought the meeting moved to Friday, so I didn't come to today's discussion.
我以为他已经同意了，所以就开始准备材料。
Wǒ yǐwéi tā yǐjīng tóngyì le, suǒyǐ jiù kāishǐ zhǔnbèi cáiliào.
I thought he had already agreed, so I started preparing materials.
问题是___
Wèntí shì ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
The problem was that ___.
Meaning: The problem was that ___.
When to use: Use this to identify the cause of a problem or result; in speech, 是 + noun/phrase is natural.
Examples ▼ 问题是时间太短，我们来不及完成所有任务。
Wèntí shì shíjiān tài duǎn, wǒmen lái bují wánchéng suǒyǒu rènwù.
The problem was that there wasn't enough time; we couldn't finish all tasks.
问题是预算被削减了，所以计划要调整。
Wèntí shì yùsuàn bèi xuējiǎn le, suǒyǐ jìhuà yào tiáozhěng.
The problem was the budget was cut, so the plan needs to be adjusted.
有几个原因
Yǒu jǐ ge yuányīn.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
There are a few reasons.
Meaning: There are a few reasons.
When to use: Use this to prepare the listener when you will explain more than one reason.
Examples ▼ 有几个原因：第一是人员不足，第二是时间紧。
Yǒu jǐ ge yuányīn: dì yī shì rényuán bùzú, dì èr shì shíjiān jǐn.
There are a few reasons: first staff shortages, second tight timing.
她没来有几个原因，我们逐个说明。
Tā méi lái yǒu jǐ ge yuányīn, wǒmen zhú gè shuōmíng.
There are a few reasons she didn't come; let's explain them one by one.
另一个原因是___。
Lìng yí ge yuányīn shì ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
Another reason is that ___.
Meaning: Another reason is that ___.
When to use: Use this to continue adding reasons.
Examples ▼ 一个原因是交通问题，另一个原因是我们准备不足。
Yí ge yuányīn shì jiāotōng wèntí, lìng yí ge yuányīn shì wǒmen zhǔnbèi bùzú.
One reason is transport issues; another reason is we weren't prepared enough.
他没参加，是因为生病；另一个原因是他要照顾家人。
Tā méi cānjiā, shì yīnwèi shēngbìng; lìng yí ge yuányīn shì tā yào zhàogù jiārén.
He didn't attend because he was sick; another reason is he had to care for family.
Which phrase asks 'Was it due to ___?' 我决定___，是因为___. 是什么导致了___？ 是因为___吗？ 有几个原因
Which phrase completes: 'I decided to accept the job offer because ...' ? 我没接受工作，因为太忙。 所以我才接受工作。 我决定接受工作，是因为待遇更好。 是什么导致了接受工作？
Which phrase asks 'What caused the system crash?' 我以为系统好了，所以就退出了。 问题是系统崩溃。 是什么导致了系统崩溃？ 有几个原因
Which phrase emphasizes that the reason caused the result, like 'That's why I left early'? 另一个原因是交通堵塞。 是什么导致了迟到？ 所以我才提前走。 我以为要下雨，所以出门带伞。
I was hospitalized at that time, so I didn't go. 昨天下午我去医院看病，本来想参加晚上的答谢会，但我没去，因为我当时___。
Zuótiān xiàwǔ wǒ qù yīyuàn kànbìng, běnlái xiǎng cānjiā wǎnshàng de dáxièhuì, dàn wǒ méi qù, yīnwèi wǒ dāngshí ___.
提前出发 正在住院 记错时间 去别的城市
Are you asking because you want to help persuade him to improve? 听说小王最近经常迟到，你问我这么多，是因为___吗？
Tīngshuō Xiǎo Wáng zuìjìn jīngcháng chídào, nǐ wèn wǒ zhème duō, shì yīnwèi ___ ma?
明天有考试 喜欢迟到 不认识小王 想帮忙劝他改进
I thought the meeting moved to Friday, so I didn't attend today's discussion. 老师说可能会改时间，我以为会议改到周五，所以就___。
Lǎoshī shuō kěnéng huì gǎi shíjiān, wǒ yǐwéi huìyì gǎi dào zhōuwǔ, suǒyǐ jiù ___.
给老师发了邮件 没去今天的讨论 提前准备好了材料 和同事换了时间
是因为___吗？ Shì yīnwèi ___ ma? 我决定___，是因为___. Wǒ juédìng ___, shì yīnwèi ___. 我没___，因为我当时___. Wǒ méi ___, yīnwèi wǒ dāngshí ___. 是什么导致了___？ Shì shénme dǎozhì le ___? 一个原因是___. Yí ge yuányīn shì ___. 所以是因为这个才___吗？ Suǒyǐ shì yīnwèi zhège cái ___ ma? 问题是___ Wèntí shì ___. 有几个原因 Yǒu jǐ ge yuányīn. Was it due to ___? I decided to ___ because ___. I didn't ___ because I was ___. What led to ___? One reason is that ___. Is that why ___? The problem was that ___. There are a few reasons.
所以我才___. Suǒyǐ wǒ cái ___. 我这么问是因为___. Wǒ zhème wèn shì yīnwèi ___. 我以为___，所以就___. Wǒ yǐwéi ___, suǒyǐ jiù ___. 另一个原因是___. Lìng yí ge yuányīn shì ___. 是什么原因 Shì shénme yuányīn? 是怎么回事 Shì zěnme huí shì? That's why I ___. The reason I ask is ___. I thought ___, so I ___. Another reason is that ___. What is the reason? What's going on?/What happened?
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所以是因为这个才___吗？
Suǒyǐ shì yīnwèi zhège cái ___ ma?
Is that why ___?
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我决定___，是因为___。
Wǒ juédìng ___, shì yīnwèi ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
I decided to ___ because of ___.
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我没___，因为我当时___。
Wǒ méi ___, yīnwèi wǒ dāngshí ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
I didn't ___ because I was ___.
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一个原因是___。
Yí ge yuányīn shì ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
One reason is that ___.
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所以我才___。
Suǒyǐ wǒ cái ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
That's why I ___.
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我这么问是因为___。
Wǒ zhème wèn shì yīnwèi ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
The reason I ask is ___.
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是什么导致了___？
Shì shénme dǎozhì le ___?
What led to ___?
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是因为___吗？
Shì yīnwèi ___ ma?
Was it due to ___?
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我以为___，所以就___。
Wǒ yǐwéi ___, suǒyǐ jiù ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
I thought ___, so I ___.
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问题是___
Wèntí shì ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
The problem was that ___.
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有几个原因
Yǒu jǐ ge yuányīn.
There are a few reasons.
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另一个原因是___。
Lìng yí ge yuányīn shì ___.“，“dialect_or_region”：“Mainland Mandarin”，“localization_status”：“candidate
Another reason is that ___.
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