Because, Although, If

Chinese links two clauses with pairs: one word in the first clause and a partner in the second. English uses one word; Chinese normally uses both.

• 因为 … 所以 … = because … so: 因为下雨，所以比赛取消了。 (Because it rained, the match was cancelled.) 因为 can also come second: 我没去，因为我感冒了。 (I didn't go because I had a cold.)
• 虽然 … 但是 … = although … (but): 虽然很贵，但是我还是买了。 (Although it was expensive, I still bought it.) 可是 or 不过 can replace 但是.
• 如果 … 就 … = if … (then): 如果明天不下雨，我们就去爬山。 要是 is a spoken synonym of 如果, and 的话 often closes the if-clause.

Word order: 因为, 虽然 and 如果 stand before or after the first subject. 所以 and 但是 open the second clause, before its subject. 就 is an adverb: it comes after the subject, right before the verb (我们就去).