Chinese word

归因

Pronunciation

Pinyinguī yīn

Meaning

  • verbattribute

Example

他把失败归因于准备不够。tā bǎ shī bài guī yīn yú zhǔn bèi bú gòu

He attributes the failure to a lack of preparation.

Illustration for 归因 (attribute)

More examples

别把所有困难都归因于外界因素，自己也要反省。bié bǎ suó yǒu kùn nán dōu guī yīn yú wài jiè yīn sù zì jǐ yě yào fán xǐng

Do not attribute all difficulties to external factors; you should also reflect on yourself.

Core concept

Links an outcome back to a particular factor as its explanation.

Common phrases

  • 把问题归因于...bǎ wèn tí guī yīn yú

    attribute the problem to ___

  • 把成功归因于努力bǎ chéng gōng guī yīn yú nǔ lì

    attribute success to effort

Similar words

归结于guī jié yú: Traces an event or result back to a particular underlying cause.
归咎于guī jiù yú: Says that a person or thing is responsible for a bad result.
归功于guī gōng yú: Credits a person or thing with a success or good result.

Definition in Chinese

认为某个或某些因素造成了某一现象或结果，从而把原因指向该因素，常说“把失败归因于准备不够”之类的话。rèn wéi mǒu gè huò mǒu xiē yīn sù zào chéng le mǒu yí xiàn xiàng huò jié guǒ cóng ér bǎ yuán yīn zhǐ xiàng gāi yīn sù cháng shuō bǎ shī bài guī yīn yú zhǔn bèi bú gòu zhī lèi de huà

Word origin

归 (guī, "return") + 因 (yīn, "cause") presents an outcome's explanation as being returned to a specific cause.

Usage tips

  • In everyday discussion, this verb usually presents a reason as an explanation for an event, while assigning personal responsibility requires clearer context.

Other meanings

  • blameverb

Word lists with this word