Definition

1. Adverb:
   • No wonder, that's why: Used to express sudden understanding or realization of the reason for something, often upon receiving new information. It indicates that something previously unclear or surprising now makes sense.

Usage

• Position in sentence: Typically appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause, serving as a discourse marker to connect a cause (new information) with a previously observed effect.
• Function: Expresses an "aha!" moment of comprehension. It is often used in response to an explanation.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Hèn gì anh ấy không đến dự tiệc. Anh ấy bị ốm. (No wonder he didn't come to the party. He was sick.)
  • "Cô ấy là chị gái của anh Nam." – "Hèn gì trông họ giống nhau thế!" ("She is Nam's older sister." – "No wonder they look so alike!")
  • Hèn gì đường phố đông nghịt người. Hôm nay là ngày lễ. (That's why the streets are so crowded. Today is a holiday.)

Advanced Usage

• "Thảo nào": A near-synonymous expression with the same meaning and usage pattern.

  • Thảo nào/Hèn gì cô ấy nói tiếng Anh rất giỏi. Cô ấy đã sống ở London 5 năm. (No wonder she speaks English so well. She lived in London for 5 years.)

• Implied cause: The clause following "hèn gì" states the observed situation. The reason (the new information) is usually provided in the next sentence or is understood from context.

  • Hèn gì mặt anh ta tái nhợt. (Vì anh ta vừa nghe tin sốc.) (No wonder his face is pale. (Because he just heard shocking news.))

Variants and Related Words

• Hèn chi: An older or more literary variant with identical meaning and usage to "hèn gì".
  • Hèn chi trời lạnh thế. Tuyết rơi rồi. (No wonder it's so cold. It's snowing.)

Synonyms

• Thảo nào: No wonder, that explains it.
• Không có gì lạ: It is not strange/surprising.
• Đúng là có lý do: There is indeed a reason.

Related Idioms

• "Hèn gì/chi mà...": This structure directly introduces the surprising observation.
  • Hèn chi mà cô ấy từ chối lời mời. Cô ấy đã có kế hoạch khác rồi. (No wonder she declined the invitation. She already had other plans.)