**So,** (with a capital **S** and a comma) is commonly used at the **beginning of a sentence** as a **sentence adverb** or **discourse marker**. It often means: ### 1. To introduce a conclusion or result > The roads were flooded. **So,** we stayed home. = Therefore, we stayed home. ### 2. To continue or resume a topic > **So,** where were we? > **So,** as I was saying, the project began in 2023. ### 3. To introduce a question > **So,** what do you think? > **So,** how did the meeting go? This use is very common in conversation. ### 4. To introduce a new topic or summarize the situation > **So,** here's the plan. > **So,** that's what happened. --- ### Why the comma? When **so** functions as a discourse marker rather than as an ordinary conjunction, a comma usually follows it: ✓ **So, what happened next?** ✓ **So, that's the answer.** Without the comma, the sentence may still be grammatical, but it often sounds less natural or suggests a different structure: ✓ **So what happened next?** (also common, especially in informal writing) ✓ **So that's the answer.** --- ### Compare **Conjunction (usually no comma immediately after "so")** > It was raining, so we stayed inside. Here **so** connects two clauses. **Discourse marker (often with comma)** > **So,** we stayed inside. Here **so** means something like *well*, *therefore*, or *anyway*, and introduces the whole sentence. ### Chinese equivalents Depending on context, **"So,"** can mean: * **那麽，……** * **所以，……** * **於是，……** * **好吧，……** (conversation) * **那麽问题来了，……** Examples: > **So, what do you think?** > 那麽，你觉得怎麽样？ > **So, here's the plan.** > 那麽，计画是这样的。 > **So, we decided to leave.** > 所以，我们决定离开。 -- The Prayer Life - Andrew Murray https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzOwqed_gET1387xVsAikYqYUQRNNak03 --

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