zato / pa

So and Therefore

Level 2

Put the reason first, then pa or zato, then the result.

How It Works

Say the reason first, then add the result. Bosnian has two small words for this link.

  • pa means "so" or "and so". It is short and very common in speech. A comma comes before it.
  • zato means "for that reason" or "that is why". It is a little stronger.

Examples: Hladno je, pa nosim jaknu. and Umorna sam, zato idem spavati.

Do not mix zato with zato što. The second one gives the reason itself: Idem spavati zato što sam umorna. (I am going to bed because I am tired.) You will see the pair in the entry on zašto i jer.

In speech, pa also means "well" or "then": Pa, dobro. (Well, fine.) Context shows which one you hear.

Examples (4)

  1. Hladno je, pa nosim jaknu.

    It is cold, so I am wearing a jacket.

    Pa links the result to the reason.

  2. Umorna sam, zato idem spavati.

    I am tired, so I am going to bed.

    Zato gives the same link with more weight.

  3. Sutra radim, zato ne mogu doći.

    I work tomorrow, so I cannot come.

    Zato in front of the result.

  4. Nema struje, pa palimo svijeće.

    There is no power, so we light candles.

    The comma stands before pa.

Common Mistakes

  • Learners use zato što for a result.

    Pada kiša, zato što ostajem kod kuće.
    Pada kiša, zato ostajem kod kuće.

    Zato što introduces a reason, but here a result follows.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

zato / paLevel 2So and Therefore

Learn This First

Zato and pa join sentences.

Words in This Pattern

pazato