sepse

Conjunction 'Sepse'

Level 1

Use sepse to explain 'why' something happened. It is the standard Albanian word for 'because' and is always preceded by a comma.

How It Works

In Standard Albanian, sepse is the primary way to link a result to its cause.

Key rules for usage:

  • Punctuation: You must place a comma before sepse when it introduces a subordinate clause following the main clause.
  • Mood: It is followed by the indicative mood because it describes real, objective reasons.
  • Register: It is used in both formal writing and careful speech. In very fast, casual speech, speakers might shorten it to se, but sepse is the correct form for learners to use for clarity.
  • Position: It usually appears in the middle of a sentence, connecting two ideas. While you can start a sentence with it in response to a question, it is rarely used to start a sentence in formal prose.

Examples (4)

  1. Nuk erdha në shkollë, sepse isha i sëmurë.

    I didn't come to school because I was sick.

    Word by Word: Not I-came in school, because I-was the sick.

    A classic use of 'sepse' to provide a factual reason for an absence.

  2. Më pëlqen ky libër, sepse ka një histori interesante.

    I like this book because it has an interesting story.

    Word by Word: To-me it-pleases this book, because it-has a story interesting.

    Note the comma before 'sepse' and the use of the indicative verb 'ka' (has).

  3. Duhet të nisemi tani, sepse do të bjerë shi.

    We must leave now because it is going to rain.

    Word by Word: It-must to we-leave now, because will to fall rain.

    Here, 'sepse' introduces a reason for a necessary action using the future tense.

  4. E hapa dritaren, sepse ishte nxehtë.

    I opened the window because it was hot.

    Word by Word: It I-opened window-the, because it-was hot.

    The clitic 'e' refers to the window, and 'sepse' explains the cause of the action.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the mandatory comma before 'sepse'.

    Mësoni sepse keni provim.
    Mësoni, sepse keni provim.

    In Albanian orthography, a comma is strictly required before subordinating causal conjunctions like 'sepse'.

  • Using 'pse' instead of 'sepse' to mean 'because'.

    Nuk ha pse nuk kam uri.
    Nuk ha, sepse nuk kam uri.

    'Pse' is used for asking questions (Why?), while 'sepse' is used for providing answers (Because).

How It Connects

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sepseLevel 1Conjunction 'Sepse'

Learn This First

To use 'sepse' (because), you need to understand how to form basic sentences with verbs like 'jam' and how to respond to the question 'pse' (why). It also helps to be familiar with the basic subordinating conjunction 'se', which forms the root of this word.

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sepse