jaoks / tõttu / pärast

For and Because of

Level 3

sinu jaoks means for you. vihma tõttu means because of the rain. minu pärast means because of me.

How It Works

All three words follow a genitive: sinu jaoks, vihma tõttu, minu pärast.

  • jaoks (for): who something is meant for, or what it is used for: See kingitus on sinu jaoks. Mul pole selle jaoks aega. minu jaoks can also mean in my eyes: Minu jaoks on see liiga raske. For a simple receiver the allative is often shorter: Ostsin emale kingituse.
  • tõttu (because of, due to): a cause, often an unwanted one. It is common in news and writing: Vihma tõttu jäi mäng ära.
  • pärast (because of, for the sake of): Ära muretse minu pärast! Minu pärast võid minna. means As far as I am concerned, you can go. After a length of time, pärast means in or after: viie minuti pärast (in five minutes).

Questions use the same words: Mille jaoks? (What for?) and Mille pärast? (Why? Because of what?). The word seepärast means therefore.

For a good cause, use tänu (thanks to) with the allative: tänu sinu abile. Do not use tänu for a bad cause; use tõttu instead.

Examples (6)

  1. See kingitus on sinu jaoks.

    This gift is for you.

    Word by Word: this gift is your for

  2. Mul pole selle jaoks aega.

    I do not have time for that.

    Word by Word: at-me not-is that-GEN for time

  3. Vihma tõttu jäi mäng ära.

    The game was cancelled because of the rain.

    Word by Word: rain-GEN due-to stayed game away

  4. Rong hilines lume tõttu.

    The train was late because of the snow.

    Word by Word: train was-late snow-GEN due-to

  5. Ära muretse minu pärast!

    Do not worry about me!

    Word by Word: don't worry my because-of

  6. Me jäime lapse haiguse pärast koju.

    We stayed home because the child was ill.

    Word by Word: we stayed child-GEN illness-GEN because-of home

Common Mistakes

  • Using the nominative before tõttu.

    Vihm tõttu jäi mäng ära.
    Vihma tõttu jäi mäng ära.

    tõttu, jaoks and pärast all need the genitive in front of them.

  • Using tänu for a bad cause.

    Tänu vihmale jäi mäng ära.
    Vihma tõttu jäi mäng ära.

    tänu still means thanks to, so it only fits a good result. For a bad cause, use tõttu.

  • Using sest in front of a noun.

    Ma jäin koju, sest haiguse.
    Ma jäin haiguse tõttu koju.

    sest starts a whole clause (sest ma olin haige). In front of a noun, use tõttu or pärast.

How It Connects

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

jaoks / tõttu / pärastLevel 3For and Because of

Learn This First

These are genitive position words for purpose and cause.

Words in This Pattern

jaokstõttupärast