导致
To lead to/cause
Literally: Lead to / cause to arrive
Use `导致` to explain the 'why' behind a problem or a negative situation with logical clarity.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to link a cause to a negative or unwanted result.
- Place it between the cause and the consequence like an arrow.
- Avoid using it for positive outcomes or happy surprises.
Meaning
This word is used to describe how one action or event triggers another. It is almost always used when the result is something negative, annoying, or unexpected.
Key Examples
3 of 6Explaining a delay to a friend
堵车导致我迟到了二十分钟。
The traffic jam caused me to be twenty minutes late.
Discussing a health issue
经常熬夜会导致身体疲劳。
Staying up late frequently leads to physical fatigue.
A formal business report
由于市场变化，导致公司利润下降。
Due to market changes, the company's profits decreased.
Cultural Background
While ancient Chinese used more poetic or indirect ways to show cause, `导致` became a staple of modern Mandarin as the language became more formalized and scientific. It reflects a shift toward clear, logical structures in professional communication. It is the linguistic equivalent of a 'root cause analysis' in a single word.
The 'Bad News' Rule
Always check if the result is negative. If you say someone's help `导致` your success, you are accidentally insulting them!
Cause vs. Result
Remember the order: [Cause] + 导致 + [Result]. It's a one-way street. You can't flip them around.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to link a cause to a negative or unwanted result.
- Place it between the cause and the consequence like an arrow.
- Avoid using it for positive outcomes or happy surprises.
What It Means
导致 is your go-to word for pointing fingers at a cause. It means "to lead to" or "to result in." Think of it as a bridge between a mistake and its consequence. It carries a heavy weight of causality. You aren't just saying things happened. You are explaining why they went wrong.
How To Use It
Place the cause first, then 导致, then the result. It acts like a verb in the middle of your sentence. For example: "Heavy rain 导致 the traffic jam." It is simple and direct. You don't need fancy grammar particles to make it work. Just remember that the result usually follows the word immediately. It is like a verbal arrow pointing at the mess.
When To Use It
You use this when you want to sound objective or logical. It is perfect for explaining why you are late to a meeting. Use it when discussing problems at work or in school. It works well when talking about health issues or social problems. If you are writing an essay, this word is your best friend. It shows you understand the logic of a situation.
When NOT To Use It
Never use 导致 for happy accidents or good news. You wouldn't say "Hard work 导致 my promotion." That sounds like your promotion was a disaster! For positive results, use 让 or 使得 instead. Also, avoid using it for very tiny, personal choices. Don't say "I 导致 myself to eat pizza." That is just too dramatic for a snack choice. Keep it for actual consequences.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, saving face is important, but so is clear logic. 导致 allows you to explain a situation without necessarily blaming a person directly. It focuses on the event or the action as the cause. It is a very common word in news broadcasts and official reports. It reflects a modern, analytical way of speaking that has become standard in the last century. It feels professional and grounded.
Common Variations
You might hear 造成 which is very similar but often used for physical damage. Another one is 引起, which means "to give rise to" or "trigger." 引起 is a bit softer and can sometimes be used for neutral things like "triggering a discussion." If you want to sound very formal, you might see 致使 in books. But for daily life and work, 导致 is the gold standard for explaining negative outcomes.
Usage Notes
Mainly used for negative consequences. It is a neutral-register word that fits in both casual conversation and formal writing. Avoid using it for positive results.
The 'Bad News' Rule
Always check if the result is negative. If you say someone's help `导致` your success, you are accidentally insulting them!
Cause vs. Result
Remember the order: [Cause] + 导致 + [Result]. It's a one-way street. You can't flip them around.
Softening the Blow
In meetings, use `导致` to focus on the process rather than the person. It makes your criticism sound more objective and less like a personal attack.
Examples
6堵车导致我迟到了二十分钟。
The traffic jam caused me to be twenty minutes late.
A very common way to explain why you aren't on time.
经常熬夜会导致身体疲劳。
Staying up late frequently leads to physical fatigue.
Used here to describe a logical health consequence.
由于市场变化，导致公司利润下降。
Due to market changes, the company's profits decreased.
Standard professional usage for reporting negative trends.
手机掉进水里，导致屏幕坏了。
My phone fell in the water, which caused the screen to break.
Directly links the accident to the damage.
我对游戏的热爱导致了我的钱包空空如也。
My love for gaming has led to my wallet being completely empty.
Using a serious word for a funny personal situation.
沟通不畅导致了这次误会。
Poor communication led to this misunderstanding.
A polite way to explain a conflict without attacking someone.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to complete the sentence about a negative result.
昨晚的大雨___比赛取消了。
The heavy rain is the cause, and the cancellation is the negative result. `导致` fits perfectly here.
Which sentence uses `导致` correctly?
A: 他的努力___他赢得了比赛。 B: 他的粗心___他丢了钥匙。
Option A is a positive result, so `导致` is inappropriate. Option B is a negative result, which is the correct context.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality and Tone of 导致
Used in texts to complain about small mishaps.
My cat led to me being late.
Daily conversations about problems or reasons.
The rain led to the delay.
News reports, academic papers, and business meetings.
Economic factors led to the crisis.
When to use 导致
Tech Issues
The bug led to a crash.
Health
Lack of sleep leads to stress.
Work
Errors led to lost time.
Environment
Pollution leads to illness.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsGenerally, no. It is almost exclusively for negative or neutral-but-unpleasant outcomes. For positive things, use 带来 (bring about) or 使得 (make/cause).
因为 means 'because' and introduces the reason. 导致 is a verb meaning 'to lead to' and introduces the result. Use 因为 at the start of a clause and 导致 in the middle.
Not at all! It's very common in texts when you're explaining a problem, like 停电导致我没法充电 (The power cut led to me not being able to charge my phone).
Yes, but it's more common for an action or event to be the subject. For example, 他的决定导致了失败 (His decision led to failure) sounds more natural than just saying 'He led to failure.'
Usually, yes, it is followed by a noun phrase or a short clause describing the result. For example, 导致了严重的后果 (led to serious consequences).
They are very close. 造成 is often used for physical damage or specific losses, while 导致 is broader and can be used for abstract situations or logical sequences.
You can say 这导致了... or 从而导致了... if you are connecting it to a previous sentence.
Yes, it is a high-frequency word in academic writing to show causality between variables or events.
If it's truly neutral, 导致 might still feel slightly negative. Use 引起 (trigger) if you want to be completely neutral.
In very formal or written Chinese, you might just see 致 used as a prefix, but in spoken Mandarin, always use the full two-syllable 导致.
Related Phrases
造成 (zàochéng) - To cause/give rise to (often physical)
引起 (yǐnqǐ) - To trigger/give rise to (neutral)
使得 (shǐde) - To make/cause (neutral/positive)
带来 (dàilái) - To bring about (often positive)
由于 (yóuyú) - Due to/owing to
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