want

Because (Coordinating)

Level 1

Use want to give a reason or justification. Unlike other 'because' words, it keeps the standard sentence structure (Subject + Verb).

How It Works

In Dutch, want is one of the most common ways to say 'because'. It functions as a coordinating conjunction, which means it joins two main clauses of equal importance.

1. Word Order
The most important rule for learners is that want does not trigger any special word order. The clause following it follows the standard main clause order: Subject + Finite Verb + Rest.

2. Punctuation
In written Dutch, you almost always place a comma before want.

3. Usage Nuance
While it translates to 'because', want is often used when the speaker is providing a justification for their own statement or observation. For example: 'He is home, want his car is in the driveway.' (I know he is home because I see his car).

4. Restrictions
Unlike omdat, you do not normally start a sentence with want. It connects two parts of a sentence. Additionally, if you are answering a waarom (why) question directly, you should use omdat instead of want.

Examples (4)

  1. Ik ga naar bed, want ik ben moe.

    I am going to bed, because I am tired.

    Word by Word: I go to bed, because I am tired.

    Notice that 'ik ben moe' keeps the standard Subject (ik) + Verb (ben) order.

  2. Zij koopt geen vlees, want ze is vegetariër.

    She doesn't buy meat, because she is a vegetarian.

    Word by Word: She buys no meat, because she is vegetarian.

    The comma before 'want' is standard in Dutch writing.

  3. We moeten opschieten, want de trein vertrekt nu.

    We must hurry, because the train is leaving now.

    Word by Word: We must hurry, because the train departs now.

    Even with a longer subject like 'de trein', the verb 'vertrekt' stays in the second position.

  4. Hij drinkt water, want hij heeft dorst.

    He is drinking water, because he is thirsty.

    Word by Word: He drinks water, because he has thirst.

    A simple justification for an action using standard word order.

Common Mistakes

  • Moving the verb to the end of the sentence.

    Ik blijf thuis, want ik ziek ben.
    Ik blijf thuis, want ik ben ziek.

    Learners often confuse 'want' with omdat. 'Want' is a coordinator and keeps the verb in the second position; it does not push it to the end.

  • Starting a sentence with 'want'.

    Want het regent, blijf ik binnen.
    Omdat het regent, blijf ik binnen.

    'Want' joins a clause to the one before it and keeps the verb second. It does not work as a fronted reason before the main clause. To put the reason first, use omdat.

  • Using 'want' to answer a 'Why?' question in isolation.

    Waarom kom je niet? Want ik ben moe.
    Waarom kom je niet? Omdat ik moe ben.

    When answering a waarom question with a reason, 'omdat' is the standard answer. 'Want' is a coordinator that normally links two clauses, so a bare 'Want ik ben moe' as an answer is informal.

How It Connects

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

wantLevel 1Because (Coordinating)

Learn This First

To use the conjunction 'want', you need to be able to construct basic Dutch sentences using standard word order and conjugated verbs, as 'want' simply links two independent clauses without changing their structure.

Words in This Pattern

want