原来如此
yuánlái rúcǐ
So that's how it is · trad. 原來如此
原来如此 (Yuánlái rúcǐ) means 'So that's how it is' or 'I see.' It's an exclamation used when you suddenly understand something, often after a period of confusion or when a mystery is resolved, giving you an 'aha' moment.
What does 原来如此 (yuánlái rúcǐ) mean?
原来如此 (yuánlái rúcǐ) means “so that's how it is” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “originally like this.”
When to use it
Neutral and informal. It's a common spoken phrase used to express sudden understanding. There isn't a direct formal equivalent, as the feeling itself is quite spontaneous.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “yoo-AHN-lye roo-TSUH.” The first syllable of 原 is a rising tone, and 如此 is often said with a light, neutral tone on the second syllable.
Other ways to say it
- 我明白了wǒ míngbai leI understand now
- 哦，是这样啊ó, shì zhèyàng aOh, so it's like this
- 怪不得guàibudeno wonder
Examples
原来如此，怪不得他今天没来上班。
yuánlái rúcǐ, guàibude tā jīntiān méi lái shàngbān.
So that's how it is, no wonder he didn't come to work today.
我一直不明白，现在听你一说，原来如此！
wǒ yīzhí bù míngbai, xiànzài tīng nǐ yī shuō, yuánlái rúcǐ!
I never understood, but now that I hear you say it, so that's how it is!
哦，原来如此。我懂了。
ó, yuánlái rúcǐ. wǒ dǒng le.
Oh, so that's how it is. I get it.
Pro tip: Use 原来如此 when a new piece of information suddenly makes everything clear, not just for general understanding or agreement.
Related phrases
真遗憾 · That's a shame吓我一跳 · You startled me真倒霉 · What bad luck
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