Definition
前因后果 is a four-character idiom that literally means 'the previous cause and the later result' — it refers to the entire sequence of events from beginning to end, including both the causes and the consequences. You use it when you want to explain or understand the full story behind something, not just the surface facts. It's a set phrase, so the characters don't split or change order.
f.e.
the whole story from cause to effectthe ins and outs (of a situation)
Examples
- 前因后果。Tā xiángxì de shuōmíng le shìqíng de qián yīn hòu guǒ.He explained the whole story of the matter in detail.
- 前因后果，。Bù liǎojiě qián yīn hòu guǒ, jiù bú yào suíbiàn pínglùn.If you don't understand the ins and outs, don't casually comment.
- 前因后果。Jǐngchá bǎ shìgù de qián yīn hòu guǒ dōu chá qīngchu le.The police investigated the entire cause and effect of the accident clearly.
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