Usage of 于是
'于是' is a conjunction used to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, similar to 'thereupon' or 'as a result' in English. It connects two clauses where the second is a consequence of the first.
Common Contexts
It is often used in narratives or descriptions of events to show what happened next logically or naturally. It is more formal than casual connectors like '然后' (then).
Typical Collocations
- 于是 + clause: introduces the result or consequence.
- Often appears in storytelling or explanations.
Nuance and Register
'于是' implies a direct and clear causal link. It is neutral in tone and suitable for both spoken and written Chinese.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse '于是' with '然后' which simply means 'then' in a sequence without necessarily implying causation. '于是' stresses the cause-effect relationship.