The sound of an axe chopping wood.
A place, office, or institute; a measure word for buildings; used in 所以 (so) and 所有 (all). Door (户) + axe (斤): an axe by a door marks a specific place.
所
Common Usage & Traps
- 所以 — therefore; so
- 厕所 — toilet; restroom
- 所有 — all; everything
-
所地方地方所 is not a standalone word for 'place'; use 地方 for 'place'.
-
一所人一个人所 is not a measure word for people; use 个 for people.
Why is 所以 used in '所以，小商觉得坐火车比坐飞机好' instead of 因为?
所以 means 'therefore/so' and introduces a result, while 因为 means 'because' and introduces a reason.
In the sentence, the earlier clauses give reasons (cheaper, time to airport), and 所以 introduces the conclusion. 因为 would introduce a reason, not a result, so it would not fit here.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | therefore; so (result) | because (reason) |
| Position | before the result clause | before the reason clause |
| Example | 火车便宜，所以坐火车好。 | 因为火车便宜，坐火车好。 |
Can 所 be used alone to mean 'toilet'?
No, 所 alone does not mean 'toilet'; the word for toilet is 厕所.
所 cannot stand alone as a complete word in many words, such as 厕所 (toilet) and 所有 (all). It is not used by itself to mean 'toilet' or 'place' in everyday HSK 2 speech.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Word | 厕所 | 所 |
| Meaning | toilet; restroom | not used alone for toilet |
| Example | 厕所在哪儿？ | 所在哪儿？ |
Appears in Stories 7 stories
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
-
就是说方便面里面基本没有水， 所以 就算在里面什么“东西”也不加，它也不会长毛变坏。
-
人体 所 需要的营养成分是比较复杂的。
-
看一下“人体 所需 营养”目录，就明白一个人最好每天吃10到30种以上的食物，这样才能得到各种各样的营养。
-
方便面的主要成分是小麦面粉，它 所 含的营养成分是不完全的。
-
这些多多少少都能补充人体 所 需要的一些营养成分。
-
这样看来，方便面 所 含的营养成分甚至还高于中国人最爱的馒头、米饭、面包之类的主食。
-
所以 ，说方便面里盐太多，也是误会。
In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.
-
B：你只有一个儿子， 所以 不要说“大儿子”，也不要说“小女儿”，就说“女儿”就好。
-
他的姓是钱， 所以 他的姓名是“钱小明”。
In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.
-
Ｂ：因为我不喜欢运动， 所以 这两个我都不喜欢。
Follow Xiao Li as he copes with the effects of forest fires near his home in the US and reflects on environmental changes. A thoughtful story for HSK 4 learners.
-
这个季节，日照时间很长， 所以 也很热。
Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.
-
他也在中为公司工作，但是因为周一我来公司的时候，他去上海了， 所以 我没有看见他。
Is four years to reach HSK 5 fast or slow? Follow a conversation between two learners as they compare study hours and share realistic strategies for busy adults.
-
人太多，我很少真的说汉语， 所以 这个“汉语课”很没意思。
Meet Xiao Shang, who is heading back to Shanghai. She compares two ways to travel and tells us why she prefers the slower one. This story helps you practice comparing transportation in simple Chinese.
-
坐火车比坐飞机便宜得多，去飞机场也要花很多时间， 所以 ，小商觉得坐火车比坐飞机好。
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
No questions or discussions yet. Have a question about this character/word? Be the first to ask!