whence
gb/wˈɛns/ us/wˈɛns/
C1
English
~ 2100
honnan, ahonnan, ezért, ebből következően
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[something] whence [something] comes
The river flows from the mountains, whence it gains its strength.
A folyó a hegyekből ered, ahonnan az erejét nyeri.
He returned to the city whence he had departed years ago.
Visszatért abba a városba, ahonnan évekkel korábban elindult.
They could not determine whence the strange noise originated.
Learner examples
This is the house whence my family came.
Ez az a ház, ahonnan a családom származik.
She asked whence the letter had arrived.
Megkérdezte, honnan érkezett a levél.
Whence does this water flow?
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'whence' with 'where', but 'whence' already means 'from where', so 'from whence' is redundant in formal usage.
Meaning
from what place or source
Collocations
whence it came
|whence they arrived
|whence the idea
Synonyms
from where (More common in modern English, especially in questions.)
Antonyms
to where (Indicates a destination rather than an origin.)
Themes
directions
|history
|literature
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say where something comes from or starts.
Used to indicate the place, source, or origin from which something comes.
C2
FORMAL
2
ezért
A2
Usage pattern:
[statement], whence [result]
The experiment failed, whence the need for further trials.
A kísérlet kudarcot vallott, ezért további próbákra volt szükség.
He was late, whence her irritation.
Késett, ezért bosszús lett a nő.
She lacked experience, whence her mistakes.
Learner examples
He was tired, whence his slow work.
Fáradt volt, ezért lassan dolgozott.
It rained all day, whence the wet streets.
Egész nap esett, ezért vizesek lettek az utcák.
She studied hard, whence her good grades.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'where' or omit the implied cause-and-effect link.
Meaning
as a result of which
Collocations
whence it follows
|whence arose the problem
Synonyms
therefore (More common and neutral; 'whence' is more formal and literary.)
Antonyms
despite which (Indicates contrast rather than consequence.)
Themes
logic
|literature
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that something happens because of what was just said.
Used to introduce a consequence or result deriving from what has just been mentioned.
Grammar
Dictionary form
whence
IPA
GB/wˈɛns/
US/wˈɛns/
Syllables & stress
whence (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (whence)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: whence
- Plural: whences
Word family
Expressions
from whence
1/fɹˈʌm wˈɛns/
fixed phrase
formal
from where (redundant form)
A formal or old-fashioned way to say 'from where', even though 'whence' already means 'from where'.
Examples
- This is the village from whence my ancestors came.
- They returned from whence they had fled.