pro / ĉar
Because of
Pro and ĉar both give a cause, but they sit before different kinds of words.
How It Works
| Cause | Example |
|---|---|
| a noun after pro | Ni restas hejme pro la pluvo. |
| a clause after ĉar | Ni restas hejme, ĉar pluvas. |
Pro also thanks someone for something: Dankon pro la letero! (thank you for the letter). Many speakers say Dankon por la letero as well.
Por usually gives the aim, what you do something for. Pro gives the cause, what made it happen. So Ni lernas por paroli says that speaking is the aim, and Hiro ridas pro la ŝerco says that the joke is the cause.
Put a comma before ĉar. After pro the noun keeps its plain form.
Examples (5)
- Ni restas hejme pro la pluvo.
We are staying home because of the rain.
Pro is followed by the noun la pluvo.
- Ni restas hejme, ĉar pluvas.
We are staying home because it is raining.
Ĉar is followed by a whole clause with its own verb.
- Dankon pro la letero, Ana!
Thank you for the letter, Ana!
Pro names the reason for the thanks.
- Hiro ridas pro la ŝerco de Kofi.
Hiro is laughing because of Kofi's joke.
The joke is what makes him laugh.
- Zainab ne venas hodiaŭ pro malsano.
Zainab is not coming today because of illness.
Malsano is the cause, and it needs no la.
Common Mistakes
Putting a verb clause after pro.
Ni restas hejme pro pluvas.Ni restas hejme, ĉar pluvas.Pro takes a noun. A clause with its own verb needs ĉar.
Using por for a cause.
Ni restas hejme por la pluvo.Ni restas hejme pro la pluvo.Por would make the rain the aim, as if we wanted the rain. A cause needs pro.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Pro gives a reason before a noun, like ĉar does before a whole clause.
Related Patterns
Practice pro / ĉar in Bubblegum
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