New here? This is lesson 93 of a free 240-lesson Traditional Chinese course.
Because in Traditional Chinese
Maya arrives late at Banyan Breakfast on a rainy morning. Auntie Lin has a bigger question than where Maya's umbrella went: why did she move to Taipei?
Learn to ask why, give a simple reason, and connect that reason to what happened next.
A-Li also wants to know why Maya chose her drink, though his own soy milk is still sitting unfinished beside him.
By the end of this lesson
Ask why someone did something, give a reason, and explain a result.
- 為什麼？Why?
- 因為我沒帶傘Because I didn't bring an umbrella.
- 所以我才來晚了That's why I'm late.
- 我是因為想練習中文It's because I want to practise Chinese.
- 你怎麼會決定搬來臺北？How did you decide to move to Taipei?
- 主要原因是工作The main reason is work.
Scene — a rainy breakfast
Rain has followed Maya down Banyan Lane and into the breakfast shop. Auntie Lin notices that she is late, then asks what brought her to Taipei in the first place.
A-Li is nearby on his two stools, with an unfinished soy milk beside his egg pancake. He has a question about Maya's order, too.
Learn — ask why and give a reason
Start with a short question, then listen for the difference between a reason and its result. The longer lines help Maya explain both her move and her late arrival.
Say each line aloud before moving on.
為什麼？
Why?
When to use it: Ask this when you want someone to explain a choice or situation.
You can use this short question on its own when the topic is already clear.
Say it: The last syllable has a neutral tone.
因為我沒帶傘
Because I didn't bring an umbrella.
When to use it: Give this reason when forgetting your umbrella affected your plans.
Use 沒 for something you did not do, such as bringing an umbrella.
所以我才來晚了
That's why I'm late.
When to use it: Say this after explaining the reason you arrived late.
才 points back to the reason and emphasizes why the lateness happened.
我是因為想練習中文
It's because I want to practise Chinese.
When to use it: Explain your own reason for coming somewhere or doing something.
Here, 是 puts extra focus on your reason.
你怎麼會決定搬來臺北？
How did you decide to move to Taipei?
When to use it: Ask someone what led them to make the decision to move to Taipei.
怎麼會 asks how something came about, rather than asking for a step-by-step method.
主要原因是工作
The main reason is work.
When to use it: Name work as your most important reason without ruling out other reasons.
主要 leaves room for other reasons besides the one you name.
Story — why Maya came to Taipei
Listen as Auntie Lin asks Maya about her move to Taipei. Maya gives one main reason and another reason for coming to the shop.
Then the rainy morning catches up with her, and A-Li takes an interest in her drink.
Auntie Lin瑪雅，你怎麼會決定搬來臺北？Maya, how did you decide to move to Taipei?
Maya主要原因是工作。The main reason is work.- Auntie Lin那你怎麼常來店裡？Then why do you come to the shop so often?
- Maya我常常來這裡。我是因為想練習中文。I come here often because I want to practise Chinese.
- Auntie Lin欸，你今天怎麼這麼晚？Hey, why are you so late today?
- Maya我遲到了，因為我沒帶傘。I'm late because I didn't bring an umbrella.
- Auntie Lin你等雨變小才出門喔？You waited for the rain to ease before leaving?
- Maya對啊，所以我才來晚了。Yes, that's why I'm late.
A-Li你為什麼點熱豆漿？Why did you order hot soy milk?- Maya外面下雨，我想喝熱的。It's raining outside, so I want something hot.
- A-Li我的豆漿還沒喝完。I still haven't finished my soy milk.
- Maya為什麼？Why?
- A-Li因為我一直在聊天。Because I keep chatting.
Practice — reasons and results
Choose, arrange, and complete the lines from the breakfast conversation. Keep the reason separate from what happened because of it.
The final questions bring back two useful lines you have met before.
0 of 9 done
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
為什麼？
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
Because I didn't bring an umbrella.
因為我沒帶____
Swap the word
Swap the word
After explaining that she waited for the rain to ease, Maya connects it to her late arrival.
所以我____來晚了
Build the line
Build the line
It's because I want to practise Chinese.
Tap the words in order.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Ask Maya how she came to decide to move to Taipei.
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Build the line
Build the line
I often come here.
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Auntie Lin says:
Pick the reply
你今天怎麼這麼晚？
Why are you so late today?
And you reply with:
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
I'm late.
我遲到____
Say it — explain yourself
Play Maya at the breakfast shop. Auntie Lin asks about your move, and A-Li notices you have arrived late.
Give your reasons aloud, then ask A-Li about his unfinished drink. Listen to each person's line before you answer.
- Auntie Lin你怎麼會決定搬來臺北？How did you decide to move to Taipei?
- Maya (you)Say that work is the main reason.
Say that work is the main reason.
主要原因是工作
The main reason is work.
0 of 5 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Traditional Chinese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 為什麼？ | Why? | |
| 因為我沒帶傘 | Because I didn't bring an umbrella. | |
| 所以我才來晚了 | That's why I'm late. | |
| 我是因為想練習中文 | It's because I want to practise Chinese. | |
| 你怎麼會決定搬來臺北？ | How did you decide to move to Taipei? | |
| 主要原因是工作 | The main reason is work. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Keep these ways to ask and explain why in Yak Cards.
Review the reason and result lines together so you can use them in conversation.
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