HSK 7-9
难怪
nánguài
No wonder; not surprisingly
Structure
(原因) + 难怪 + (结果/情况)
How it works
The word '难怪' (nánguài) is used to express that something is understandable or not surprising after learning the reason for it. It functions similarly to the English phrase 'no wonder' and can be used as both an adverb and a verb. When used as a verb, it can mean 'it's hard to blame someone'.
Examples
他每天都练习到深夜，难怪进步这么快。
Tā měitiān dōu liànxí dào shēnyè, nánguài jìnbù zhème kuài.
He practices until late every night, no wonder he makes such fast progress.
难怪你今天这么高兴，原来是中大奖了。
Nánguài nǐ jīntiān zhème gāoxìng, yuánlái shì zhòng dàjiǎng le.
No wonder you are so happy today; it turns out you won the jackpot.
这事儿也不难怪他，毕竟他也是第一次做。
Zhè shìr yě bù nánguài tā, bìjìng tā yě shì dì yī cì zuò.
You can't really blame him for this; after all, it's his first time doing it.
Common mistakes
Placement of '难怪': Learners sometimes put the reason after '难怪' instead of before it. In the pattern 'Reason, no wonder Result', '难怪' must introduce the result/situation, not the cause.
Tip
Think of '难怪' as 'hard to wonder' (hard to be surprised). It is often paired with '原来' (it turns out) to clarify the connection between a cause and its effect.
More HSK 7-9 grammar
See 难怪 in real Chinese
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