thus

Compared meaning: therefore, as a result (connecting adverb).

比较义项：那样，如此（表示结果或方式的连接副词）。

• so

  Very common in everyday spoken and written English; works as a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses with just a comma.

  在日常口语和书面语中都非常常见；作并列连词使用，只需用逗号即可连接两个独立分句。

  It started raining, so we grabbed our umbrellas and went home.

  开始下雨了，所以我们拿上雨伞回家了。

• thus 本词

  More formal, typical of written or academic English; usually follows a semicolon or begins a new sentence rather than joining clauses with just a comma.

  更为正式，常见于书面语或学术英语；通常接在分号之后或独立成句，而不是像so那样直接用逗号连接分句。

  The bridge was closed for repairs; thus, drivers had to take a longer route.

  大桥因维修而封闭；因此，司机们不得不绕行更长的路线。

So and thus both introduce a result or conclusion. So is common in speech and writing; it can join two clauses with just a comma. Thus is more formal, typical of written English, and usually starts a new sentence instead.

这两个词都可用来引出结果或结论，意思相近，但语域和语法用法不同：so更口语化，可直接用逗号连接两个分句；thus更正式，多用于书面语，前面常接分号或独立成句。此处不比较so表示程度（如so beautiful“如此美丽”）或引导目的从句（so that）等其他用法。

Compared meaning: as a result, so (connecting adverb).

比较义项：表示结果或结论的连接副词“因此”（副词）。

• thus 本词

  Thus is formal and literary, often introducing a resulting action, and can directly precede an -ing verb ("thus doubling"), a pattern therefore and hence rarely use in the same way.

  thus 语气正式、偏书面语，常用来引出一个结果性动作，并能直接接现在分词（如 "thus doubling"，因此使……翻倍），这种用法 therefore 和 hence 很少以同样方式使用。

  The factory automated its production line, thus doubling output within a year.

  这家工厂实现了生产线自动化，因此在一年内使产量翻了一倍。

• therefore

  Therefore is the most neutral and common of the three, natural in both formal writing and everyday speech, and always introduces a full clause with its own subject and verb.

  therefore 是三者中最中性、最常用的一个，正式写作和日常口语中都很自然，并且总是引出一个带有主语和谓语的完整分句。

  The flight was overbooked; therefore, several passengers were asked to volunteer.

  这趟航班超额订票了；因此，几名乘客被要求自愿放弃座位。

• hence

  Hence is the most formal and somewhat old-fashioned of the three, and often drops the verb entirely, linking straight to a noun phrase ("hence the delay") rather than a full clause.

  hence 是三者中最正式、略显古旧的一个，常常完全省略动词，直接连接一个名词短语（如 "hence the delay"，因此才有了这次延误），而不是完整的分句。

  The venue flooded overnight, hence the sudden change of location.

  场地一夜之间被水淹了，因此才临时更换了场地。

All three mean 'as a result'. Thus is formal and literary. Therefore is the most neutral, common in formal and casual English. Hence is formal and old-fashioned; it often drops the verb, linking to a noun. Thus can mean 'in this way'; not compared here.

这三个词表示“因此”时意思相近，都用来引出结果或结论，但正式程度和搭配习惯不同：thus 和 hence 更正式、更偏书面语，therefore 是三者中最中性、口语书面都常用的一个；hence 还常常省略动词，直接接名词短语。此处不比较 thus 表示“这样地”（方式）的另一层含义。