dahil
Because
Use dahil to explain why something happened. It works as 'because' before a full sentence, or 'because of' when paired with markers like sa or kay.
How It Works
In Filipino, dahil functions in two main ways:
1. As a Conjunction: When followed by a full clause (a subject and a predicate), it translates to 'because.' Unlike kasi, which usually follows the first word of the reason clause, dahil always appears at the very beginning of the clause and can even start the entire sentence.
Example: Dahil umuulan, hindi ako lalabas. (Because it is raining, I will not go out.)
2. As a Preposition: When followed by a noun or pronoun, it requires a marker to link the cause:
- Use dahil sa for common nouns or objects (e.g., dahil sa ulan).
- Use dahil sa for pronouns (e.g., dahil sa iyo).
- Use dahil kay for a specific person (e.g., dahil kay Maria).
- Use dahil kina for multiple specific people (e.g., dahil kina Maria at Juan).
Dahil is the preferred choice in writing and professional speech to help you become proficient in formal communication.
Examples (6)
- Hindi siya nakarating dahil nasiraan siya ng sasakyan.
He wasn't able to arrive because his vehicle broke down.
Word by Word: Not he arrived because broke-down he [linker] vehicle.
Here, 'dahil' introduces a full clause explaining the reason for the absence.
- Masaya ako dahil sa iyo.
I am happy because of you.
Word by Word: Happy I because of you.
When referring to a pronoun like 'iyo', the marker 'sa' must be used after 'dahil'.
- Nanalo kami dahil sa tulong mo.
We won because of your help.
Word by Word: Won we because of help your.
The phrase 'dahil sa' is used here to link the cause to a common noun (tulong).
- Dahil kay Juan, natapos ang trabaho.
Because of Juan, the work was finished.
Word by Word: Because of Juan, finished the work.
When the cause is a specific person, 'dahil kay' is the correct form.
- Dahil kina Maria at Juan, naging masaya ang party.
Because of Maria and Juan, the party became happy.
Word by Word: Because of [plural personal marker] Maria and Juan, became happy the party.
Use 'dahil kina' when the cause involves multiple specific people.
- Dahil gabi na, matulog ka na.
Because it is already night, go to sleep.
Word by Word: Because night already, sleep you already.
This shows 'dahil' at the start of a sentence, which is very common in Filipino.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the marker 'sa' before a noun.
Dahil ang ulan, basa ako.Dahil sa ulan, basa ako.You cannot use 'ang' directly after 'dahil'. You must use 'sa' to indicate 'because of [noun]'.
Using 'dahil' in the middle of a clause like 'kasi'.
Umuulan dahil.Dahil umuulan.'Dahil' must always precede the reason. It cannot be used as a trailing particle like 'kasi' often is.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'dahil' effectively, you need to understand basic sentence structure and how to link reasons to actions. It is often used to answer 'bakit' (why) questions and frequently requires the 'sa' marker when pointing to a specific noun as the cause.
Related Patterns
- kasiBecause / You See
The informal equivalent of 'dahil', often used in casual conversation and placed differently in a sentence.
Level 2 - dahil saBecause of
The specific prepositional form used to link 'dahil' to common nouns and pronouns.
Level 2 - sapagkatBecause
A more formal, literary version of 'dahil' used in books and formal oratory.
Level 5 - kayaSo / Therefore
The logical counterpart to 'dahil', meaning 'so' or 'therefore', used to introduce the result rather than the cause.
Level 1 - ang dahilan kung bakitThe Reason Why
A more complex phrase meaning 'the reason why', using the noun form 'dahilan'.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice dahil in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Filipino lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
