si2 jin4使然
Jyutpingsi2 jin4
Yalesí yìhn
Definition
Driven by; caused by; due to.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Used primarily in formal or literary contexts to attribute a situation to a specific underlying cause. It functions as a suffix that follows a noun phrase, indicating that the preceding factor is the inevitable driver of the current state. While it appears in written Chinese, it is occasionally used in spoken Cantonese when someone wants to sound more analytical or philosophical about human behavior.
Examples
He is so stubborn because it is driven by his personality.
This kind of result is driven by the environment.
Related words
Common phrases
driven by personality
driven by the environment
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a verb meaning to use, but it is a literary suffix. Avoid using it in casual, everyday conversation as it will sound overly dramatic or stiff.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
