mistõttu
Which Is Why (Mistõttu)
First say what happened, then add a comma and mistõttu with the result: Oli külm, mistõttu jäime koju.
How It Works
Mistõttu is built from mis (which) and tõttu (because of). It refers back to the whole previous clause:
- Rong hilines, mistõttu jäin koosolekule hiljaks. (The train was late, which is why I was late for the meeting.)
The first clause is the cause, and the mistõttu clause is the result. Sest works the other way round: Jäin hiljaks, sest rong hilines.
Other words with the same meaning are mispärast and mille tõttu. Mispärast is also a question word meaning why: Mispärast sa nutad?
Mistõttu starts a subordinate clause, so it follows a comma inside the same sentence. To begin a new sentence, use a word like seetõttu or seepärast: Rong hilines. Seetõttu jäin hiljaks.
Mistõttu is common in writing and in the news. In everyday speech, people often say nii et or seepärast.
Examples (5)
- Rong hilines, mistõttu jäin koosolekule hiljaks.
The train was late, which is why I was late for the meeting.
- Ilm oli väga halb, mistõttu mäng lükati edasi.
The weather was very bad, so the game was postponed.
- Tal oli palavik, mistõttu ta jäi koju.
She had a fever, which is why she stayed home.
- Hinnad tõusid, mille tõttu paljud loobusid reisist.
Prices went up, which is why many people gave up the trip.
Mille tõttu means the same as mistõttu.
- Suvi oli kuiv, mistõttu seeni on vähe.
The summer was dry, so there are few mushrooms.
Common Mistakes
Starting a new sentence with mistõttu.
Rong hilines. Mistõttu jäin hiljaks.Rong hilines, mistõttu jäin hiljaks.Mistõttu starts a subordinate clause, so it needs the main clause before it in the same sentence. A new sentence can start with Seetõttu.
Swapping the cause and the result.
Jäin hiljaks, mistõttu rong hilines.Rong hilines, mistõttu jäin hiljaks.Intended meaning: I was late because the train was late. The mistõttu clause must be the result, so the train comes first. You can also say Jäin hiljaks, sest rong hilines.
How It Connects
Learn This First
mistõttu adds a result as a relative clause.
Related Patterns
- sestBecause (Sest)
Sest gives the reason; mistõttu gives the result.
Level 2 - nii et / nii ... etSo and So That (Nii Et)
Nii et is the everyday way to add a result.
Level 3 - kunaSince (Kuna)
Kuna gives the reason at the start of the sentence.
Level 3 - jaoks / tõttu / pärastFor and Because of
Tõttu (because of) is the second half of mistõttu.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice mistõttu in Bubblegum
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