▎難怪, nánguài, (Adv), no wonder

 

Function 難怪, an adverb, introduces a 2nd clause in a 2-clause sentence. The second clause is concerned with the speaker’s previous puzzlement, which has been clarified by a new observation presented in the first clause. The semantic structure is like this: ‘new fact’ clears away ‘old puzzlement’.

1 他家過年過節都要拜祖先，難怪那麼早回家幫忙。

Tā jiā guònián guòjié dōu yào bài zǔxiān, nánguài nàme zǎo huíjiā bāngmáng.

His family venerates ancestors during Chinese New Year and other holidays. No wonder, he goes home so early to help out.

2 他下個星期有口頭報告，難怪這幾天都熬夜念書。

Tā xià ge xīngqí yǒu kǒutóu bàogào, nánguài zhè jǐ tiān dōu áoyè niànshū.

He has an oral report next week. No wonder, he’s been burning the midnight oil lately.

3 美美要申請獎學金，難怪她請教授寫推薦信。

Měiměi yào shēnqǐng jiǎngxuéjīn, nánguài tā qǐng jiàoshòu xiě tuījiàn xìn.

Meimei wants to apply for a scholarship. No wonder, she asked the prof to write a letter of recommendation.

4 他剛才跟店員發生了一點糾紛，難怪說話的聲音那麼大。

Tā gāngcái gēn diànyuán fāshēngle yīdiǎn jiūfēn, nánguài shuōhuà de shēngyīn nàme dà.

He had a little dispute with the store employee just now. No wonder, his voice was so loud.

5 美美的爸爸最近沒工作了，難怪她哥哥放棄去法國留學。

Měiměi de bàba zuìjìn méi gōngzuò le, nánguài tā gēge fàngqì qù Fǎguó liúxué.

Meimei’s dad has been out of work lately. No wonder, her brother gave up going to France to study.