sest
Because (Sest)
Ma ei tule, sest olen haige. means I'm not coming because I'm sick. The reason follows the main clause.
How It Works
1. Main clause, then the reason
- Võta vihmavari, sest väljas sajab. (Take an umbrella, because it's raining outside.)
- Me jäime koju, sest ilm oli halb. (We stayed home because the weather was bad.)
After sest the word order is ordinary, and the subject can be left out when it is the same: Ma ei tule, sest olen haige.
2. sellepärast et
The longer sellepärast et also means because and is common in speech. The comma can go in two places:
- Ma ei tulnud, sellepärast et olin haige. Here it simply means because, like sest.
- Ma ei tulnud sellepärast, et olin haige. The comma after sellepärast stresses the reason: that is the reason why.
3. Reason first: use kuna
In careful Estonian, a sest clause does not open a sentence before its main clause. For that order use kuna: Kuna olin haige, ei tulnud ma kooli. (Since I was sick, I didn't go to school.)
4. Short answers
In conversation a short answer to miks often starts with sest: Miks sa naerad? – Sest see on naljakas!
5. Because of a noun
sest needs a whole clause with a verb. For because of plus a noun, use a postposition such as tõttu or pärast: vihma tõttu (because of the rain). See jaoks, tõttu, pärast.
Examples (6)
- Ma ei tule, sest olen haige.
I'm not coming because I'm sick.
Word by Word: I not come because am sick
- Võta vihmavari, sest väljas sajab.
Take an umbrella, because it's raining outside.
Word by Word: take umbrella because outside rains
- Ta õpib eesti keelt, sest ta elab Tallinnas.
He's learning Estonian because he lives in Tallinn.
Word by Word: he learns Estonian language(PART) because he lives Tallinn-in
- Me jäime koju, sest ilm oli halb.
We stayed home because the weather was bad.
Word by Word: we stayed home because weather was bad
- Ma ei tulnud, sellepärast et olin haige.
I didn't come because I was sick.
Word by Word: I not came because that was sick
sellepärast et is a longer way to say sest, common in speech.
- Miks sa naerad? – Sest see on naljakas!
Why are you laughing? – Because it's funny!
Word by Word: why you laugh – because it is funny
A short spoken answer can begin with sest.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting the comma before sest.
Ma ei tule sest olen haige.Ma ei tule, sest olen haige.A sest clause is always separated from the main clause by a comma.
Using sest before a noun to mean because of.
Ma jäin koju sest vihm.Ma jäin vihma tõttu koju.sest must be followed by a clause with a verb. With a noun, use tõttu or pärast after the genitive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
sest answers miks.
Related Patterns
- kunaSince (Kuna)
Use kuna when the reason comes first.
Level 3 - etThat-Clause (Et)
et clauses also need a comma, and et is part of sellepärast et.
Level 2 - jaoks / tõttu / pärastFor and Because of
tõttu and pärast express because of with a noun.
Level 3 - Commas Before Clauses
sest clauses follow the general comma rules for clauses.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice sest in Bubblegum
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