-(r)engatik / -(r)i esker

Because of, Thanks to

Level 3

Put -(r)engatik on a noun to give a cause: euriagatik (because of the rain). Put esker after a word with -(r)i when the cause led to something good: zuri esker (thanks to you).

How It Works

1. How -gatik is built. It sits on top of the genitive -(r)en:

  • pronouns: niregatik (because of me), zuregatik (because of you), guregatik (because of us)
  • the singular with the article: lanagatik or the longer lanarengatik (because of the work); both are correct
  • the plural: umeengatik (because of the children)
  • names: Mikelengatik, Anerengatik

Two very common words come from it: horregatik (because of that, that is why) and zergatik (why).

2. What -gatik means. Most often it gives a reason: Lanagatik ezin naiz etorri. (I can't come because of work.) With people it can also mean "for someone's sake": Zuregatik egin dut. (I have done it for you.)

3. Thanks to: -(r)i esker. Put esker after a word with the dative -(r)i: zuri esker (thanks to you), medikuari esker (thanks to the doctor), lagunei esker (thanks to my friends). It is the same word as in eskerrik asko, so it is used when the result is welcome.

4. With a verb. A verbal noun in -tzea can take -gatik: Barkatu berandu iristeagatik. (Sorry for arriving late.) A full clause with a conjugated verb takes -lako instead: Euria ari duelako ez gara atera. (We haven't gone out because it is raining.)

Tip: In more formal writing you will also meet -(r)en ondorioz (as a result of).

Examples (6)

  1. Zuregatik etorri naiz.

    I've come because of you.

    zure + -gatik. It can also mean "I've come for your sake".

  2. Euriagatik ez gara atera.

    We haven't gone out because of the rain.

    euria + -gatik. The longer euriarengatik is also correct.

  3. Lanagatik ezin naiz etorri.

    I can't come because of work.

  4. Horregatik ez dut ezer esan.

    That is why I haven't said anything.

    horregatik is hori + -gatik: literally "because of that".

  5. Zuri esker, lana bukatu dut.

    Thanks to you, I have finished the work.

    esker follows the dative zuri.

  6. Medikuari esker, hobeto nago.

    Thanks to the doctor, I feel better.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving out the dative -(r)i before esker.

    Zu esker, lana bukatu dut.
    Zuri esker, lana bukatu dut.

    esker always follows a word in the dative: zuri, medikuari, lagunei.

  • Adding -gatik to a clause with a conjugated verb.

    Nekatuta nagoagatik ez naiz etorri.
    Nekatuta nagoelako ez naiz etorri.

    -gatik goes on nouns, pronouns and -tzea verbal nouns. A clause with its own verb (nago) takes -lako.

  • Using esker when the result is bad.

    Euriari esker ez gara atera.
    Euriagatik ez gara atera.

    esker means "thanks to", so the first sentence sounds as if staying in was a gift from the rain. For a neutral or unwelcome cause, use -gatik.

How It Connects

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-(r)engatik / -(r)i eskerLevel 3Because of, Thanks to

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esker