Formal Connectors in Mandarin Chinese

In Brief

Formal Mandarin uses connectors such as 因此 “therefore,” 然而 “however,” 此外 “furthermore,” 尽管 “although,” 由于 “due to,” and 从而 “thereby” to make logical relationships explicit. They are especially common in essays, reports, news, presentations, and careful argument. Choose the connector by its logical job—not simply because it sounds more sophisticated than an everyday word.

Overview

By B2, you can usually connect ideas with everyday patterns such as 因为……所以…… (“because…so…”), 虽然……但是…… (“although…but…”), and 但是 (“but”). Formal connectors build on those patterns. They allow you to present evidence, acknowledge an opposing fact, add a supporting point, and lead the reader toward a conclusion without making every sentence sound conversational.

A connector is a word or phrase that tells the reader how one part of a text relates to another. A clause is a part of a sentence that expresses an idea, usually with its own subject and predicate (what is said about the subject). Some connectors, such as 由于 and 尽管, introduce a dependent idea that prepares the main statement. Others, such as 因此, 然而, and 此外, often connect a new statement to the preceding one. 从而 usually links an action or condition directly to the result it produces.

English translations are useful starting points, but they are not interchangeable labels. “Thus,” for example, might correspond to 因此 when drawing a conclusion or to 从而 when describing a result achieved through an earlier action. Good formal Chinese depends on identifying that difference.

How It Works

The six core connectors

Connector	Pinyin	Logical job	Typical English rendering	Usual position
因此	yīncǐ	conclusion or consequence	therefore; consequently	before the resulting statement
然而	rán’ér	contrast or unexpected turn	however; yet	before the contrasting statement
此外	cǐwài	additional point	furthermore; in addition	before a new supporting point
尽管	jǐnguǎn	concession	although; despite the fact that	before the conceded fact
由于	yóuyú	cause or reason	because of; due to	before the cause
从而	cóng’ér	resulting effect or means-to-result link	thereby; thus	before the result caused by the preceding action

因此: infer a result or conclusion

Use 因此 when the second statement follows logically from a reason, fact, or situation.

Cause or evidence + 因此 + result or conclusion

申请人数大幅增加，因此审核时间有所延长。 The number of applicants increased sharply; therefore, the review period became somewhat longer.

因此 often resembles 所以, but its register is more formal and its scope can be broader. 所以 is natural in conversation and can pair directly with 因为. 因此 often summarizes the consequence of a complete preceding sentence or even a whole paragraph. A comma commonly follows sentence-initial 因此, though punctuation depends on sentence structure.

然而: turn the argument in another direction

Use 然而 to introduce a fact that contrasts with, limits, or challenges the previous statement.

Statement + 然而 + contrasting statement

这个方案成本较低，然而实施起来并不容易。 This plan costs less; however, it is not easy to implement.

Unlike English “but,” 然而 does not normally connect two nouns or short alternatives. It links propositions—complete ideas that can be true or false. In ordinary conversation, 但是 or 可是 is usually more natural.

此外: add a separate point

Use 此外 when you have completed one point and want to add another relevant point in the same discussion.

First point + 此外 + additional point

新系统能够节省时间。此外，它还能减少人为错误。 The new system can save time. In addition, it can reduce human error.

此外 is not simply 也 (“also”). 也 normally adds information within a clause and appears before a verb or predicate: 它也能减少错误. 此外 organizes the discourse—the larger flow of the text—and often stands at the beginning of a sentence.

尽管: concede a fact without changing the outcome

A concession means accepting that one fact is true while showing that it does not prevent another result. Use 尽管 before the conceded fact.

尽管 + conceded fact，main result

尽管困难很多，他还是成功了。 Although there were many difficulties, he still succeeded.

The main clause often contains 但是, 可是, 然而, 仍然, 还是, or 却, but it does not have to. 尽管 can also mean “feel free to” in speech, as in 有问题尽管问 (“If you have questions, feel free to ask”). That is a separate use, discussed below.

English “despite” can be followed by a noun phrase, but Chinese 尽管 most naturally introduces a clause or predicate: 尽管天气不好 (“although the weather was bad”). For a compact written “despite + noun,” forms such as 尽管有困难 or 虽然面临困难 are often clearer than copying English structure.

由于: present a cause

Use 由于 to introduce a cause, especially in objective explanations, notices, reports, and news-style writing.

由于 + cause，result

由于天气原因，航班被取消了。 Due to weather conditions, the flight was cancelled.

The result can optionally be introduced by 因此:

由于设备出现故障，因此会议推迟了。 Because the equipment malfunctioned, the meeting was therefore postponed.

This paired form is grammatical and common in formal Chinese, though one marker is often enough when the relationship is obvious. English style often avoids “because…therefore” together, but Chinese commonly marks both sides of a logical relationship. Do not reject the Chinese pattern merely because the literal English translation feels redundant.

从而: show the result produced by a process

Use 从而 when one action, method, or change brings about a further result.

Action or condition + 从而 + resulting effect

公司简化了流程，从而提高了工作效率。 The company simplified the process, thereby improving efficiency.

This is narrower than 因此. 因此 can introduce a decision or conclusion drawn by a speaker. 从而 more often presents an effect generated through what precedes it. Compare:

Sentence	Focus
数据不完整，因此我们暂不发表结论。	We draw a practical conclusion from the situation.
数据经过统一整理，从而提高了分析的准确性。	One process produces a measurable result.

Do not normally begin an unrelated new paragraph with 从而. It needs a clear preceding process or condition to supply the “from this” relationship.

Building a coherent paragraph

Formal connectors work best as a system rather than as decoration. A compact argument might follow this sequence:

1. Give a cause with 由于.
2. State its consequence with 因此.
3. Acknowledge a limitation with 然而 or 尽管.
4. Add another consideration with 此外.
5. Explain the final effect of a measure with 从而.

Not every paragraph needs all six. Repeating a connector in every sentence makes the logic feel mechanical. Use one where the relationship might otherwise be unclear or where the text needs visible structure.

Examples in Context

Mandarin Chinese	English	Note
资料尚未收集完整，因此无法得出可靠的结论。	The data has not yet been collected in full; therefore, a reliable conclusion cannot be reached.	因此 introduces a logical conclusion.
市场需求发生了变化。因此，我们决定调整原来的计划。	Market demand changed. Therefore, we decided to revise the original plan.	The connector refers back to a whole sentence.
这项技术很有潜力，然而目前的成本仍然过高。	This technology has great potential; however, its current cost remains too high.	然而 limits a positive claim.
大多数人支持这项提议。然而，事实并非如此简单。	Most people support the proposal. However, the facts are not so simple.	A formal turn to a complication.
该地区交通便利。此外，生活成本也相对较低。	The area has convenient transport. In addition, the cost of living is relatively low.	此外 adds a separate advantage.
申请者需要提交个人简历。此外，还应提供两封推荐信。	Applicants need to submit a résumé. Furthermore, they should provide two letters of recommendation.	Adds another requirement.
尽管困难很多，他最终还是成功了。	Although there were many difficulties, he ultimately succeeded.	还是 reinforces the unexpected outcome.
尽管研究规模有限，这些结果仍具有参考价值。	Although the study was limited in scale, these results still have value as a reference.	仍 marks that the result remains true.
由于天气原因，部分航班将延迟起飞。	Due to weather conditions, some flights will depart late.	Objective cause in an announcement.
由于双方未能达成一致，谈判暂时中止。	Because the two sides failed to reach agreement, the talks were temporarily suspended.	A full clause follows 由于.
新政策降低了申请门槛，从而让更多人获得了机会。	The new policy lowered the application threshold, thereby giving more people an opportunity.	The policy change produces the result.
团队重新分配了任务，从而避免了资源浪费。	The team reassigned the tasks, thus avoiding a waste of resources.	从而 links a method to its effect.
尽管初期投入较高，长期成本却会下降。因此，这一方案仍值得考虑。	Although the initial investment is high, long-term costs will fall. Therefore, this plan is still worth considering.	Concession followed by a conclusion.
由于样本数量较少，结果可能存在偏差；此外，研究时间也不够充分。	Because the sample was small, the results may be biased; furthermore, the research period was also insufficient.	Cause plus an additional limitation.

Common Mistakes

Treating every connector as a formal synonym for “so”

• Wrong: 公司改进了培训，因此提高服务质量。 (when the intended meaning is “thereby improving”)
• Better: 公司改进了培训，从而提高了服务质量。
• Why: The improved training directly produces the improvement in service, so 从而 expresses the process-to-result link more precisely. 因此 would frame the second part more as a conclusion.

Putting 尽管 in the result clause

• Wrong: 困难很多，他尽管成功了。
• Right: 尽管困难很多，他还是成功了。
• Why: 尽管 introduces the fact being conceded. The main outcome follows, often with 还是, 仍然, or 却.

Using 然而 to connect words rather than ideas

• Wrong: 我们需要电脑然而打印机。
• Right: 我们需要电脑和打印机。
• Why: 然而 connects contrasting statements, not nouns in a list. Use 和 for “and.”

Using 此外 in the middle of a clause like 也

• Wrong: 这个方法此外可以节省时间。
• Right: 此外，这个方法还可以节省时间。
• Also natural: 这个方法也可以节省时间。
• Why: 此外 usually organizes a new point and is commonly set off at the beginning. 也 fits directly before the predicate.

Giving 从而 no clear source

• Wrong: 从而，我们明天讨论预算。
• Right: 今天先整理数据，从而为明天讨论预算做好准备。
• Why: 从而 must point back to an action or condition that leads to the stated effect.

Copying English connector punctuation mechanically

• Awkward: 然而这个问题，还没有解决。
• Better: 然而，这个问题还没有解决。 or 这个方案成本较低，然而实施起来并不容易。
• Why: The connector can open a sentence or link clauses, but do not insert a comma between the subject and its predicate merely because English pauses there.

Usage Notes

These connectors belong mainly to written or prepared language. 因此, 然而, 此外, and 从而 are frequent in reports, articles, essays, formal email, public statements, and presentations. In relaxed conversation, speakers more often choose 所以, 但是/可是, 另外, and 这样就. 由于 and concessive 尽管 can occur in speech, especially when the speaker is explaining something carefully.

Register does not mean that the formal choice is always better. A personal message filled with 然而 and 此外 may sound distant or theatrical. Conversely, a report that repeatedly uses 然后 (“then”) to connect logical claims may sound imprecise. Match the connector to the genre and relationship.

Written Chinese often allows paired marking: 由于……因此…… and 尽管……但是/仍然……. The first word announces the relationship; the second confirms what role the main clause plays. In concise prose, the second marker may be omitted if the structure remains clear. In a long or complex sentence, retaining it can help the reader.

Be careful with subject placement. When both clauses share a subject, Chinese may place that subject before or after the connector depending on focus:

• 由于公司调整了策略，销售额开始回升。 The whole company action is presented as the cause.
• 公司由于调整了策略，销售额开始回升。 This is possible in suitable contexts, but the relation between 公司 and both clauses can feel less clean; rewriting is often clearer.

For formal writing, clarity is more important than preserving the shape of an English original.

Beyond the Basics

因此 versus 从而

Both can be translated as “thus,” but their viewpoint differs:

• 因此: the writer reasons from a fact to a consequence, judgment, or decision.
• 从而: an earlier action or development produces a later effect.

天气突然恶化，因此比赛被取消了。 The weather suddenly worsened; therefore, the match was cancelled.

主办方修改了赛程，从而减少了天气带来的影响。 The organizers revised the schedule, thereby reducing the impact of the weather.

The distinction is not absolute in every sentence, but it is a useful production rule.

然而 versus 尽管

然而 coordinates two contrasting ideas: it turns from one complete assertion to another. 尽管 subordinates the conceded fact—it makes that fact background for the main outcome.

• 方案看起来简单，然而实际操作很复杂。 The two claims are contrasted.
• 尽管方案看起来简单，实际操作却很复杂。 The apparent simplicity is conceded before the central claim.

This difference lets you control emphasis. Put the information you most want to assert in the main clause.

The second meaning of 尽管

Before an action, 尽管 can mean “go ahead and,” “feel free to,” or “without hesitation”:

有什么建议，尽管提。 If you have any suggestions, feel free to raise them.

需要帮助的话，尽管告诉我。 If you need help, just tell me.

Here 尽管 is not concessive and does not mean “although.” Context and the imperative-like action that follows make the meaning clear.

Connector scope across sentences

A sentence-initial connector may refer not only to the immediately preceding clause but to an entire stretch of argument. 因此 can summarize several pieces of evidence; 然而 can challenge the direction of a whole paragraph; 此外 can open a new supporting dimension. This wider scope—the amount of text a word logically applies to—is one reason these forms are useful in formal writing.

At advanced levels, avoid assuming that more connectors always create more cohesion. Repetition, parallel structure, topic continuity, and well-chosen nouns also connect a text. If the relationship is already unmistakable, omitting a connector can make prose tighter.

Practice Tips

1. Label the relationship before choosing the word. For each pair of ideas, write “cause,” “conclusion,” “contrast,” “concession,” “addition,” or “produced result.” Then choose 由于, 因此, 然而, 尽管, 此外, or 从而.
2. Rewrite one paragraph in two registers. First use conversational 因为、所以、但是、还有. Then revise it as a report using only the formal connectors that genuinely improve the logic. Compare the tone rather than replacing words one for one.
3. Build contrast pairs. Make two sentences from the same content—one with 因此, one with 从而; or one with 然而, one with 尽管……却……. Explain aloud how the emphasis changes.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Discourse Markers — organize longer speech and writing with markers such as 首先, 其次, 另外, and 总之.