so2 zi3所致
Jyutpingso2 zi3
Yalesó ji
Definition
To be caused by; to be the result of a certain reason.
writtenother
How it's used
Functioning as a formal connector, this term is almost exclusively found in written reports, news articles, or serious explanations. It acts as a suffix to the cause, meaning the preceding phrase is the reason for the situation. Using it in casual daily speech sounds overly stiff or academic, as people would normally use 係因為或者係由於 instead.
Examples
His illness is caused by overwork.
Is this failure caused by a lack of experience?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it as a verb, but it is a formal noun-like structure that requires a preceding cause. It cannot be used alone to mean 'to cause' in the way that 導致 or 引致 functions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
