jan1 jau4因由

Jyutpingjan1 jau4

Yaleyān yàuh

名詞Uncommon

Definition

The reason, cause, or origin of an event.

neutralother

How it's used

This term carries a slightly more formal or literary weight compared to the everyday word 原因. It is often used when someone is digging for the underlying story or the sequence of events that led to a specific outcome, rather than just a simple explanation. You will frequently hear it in contexts where someone is being questioned about their motives or the history behind a situation.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

nei5你gong2講cing1清co2楚go3個jan1因jau4由bei2畀ngo5我teng1聽。

Explain the reason to me clearly.

dou3到dai2底jau5有mat1乜jan1因jau4由jiu3要gam3咁zou6做aa4呀？

What on earth is the reason for doing this?

Common phrases

caa4查ming4明jan1因jau4由

investigate the cause

gong2講ceot1出jan1因jau4由

state the reason

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 原因, but 因由 implies a narrative or a series of circumstances rather than just a direct cause. Using it in casual, trivial situations can make you sound overly dramatic or like you are conducting an interrogation.