pois
Pois: Well, Then or Because
Pois has three common uses: because after a main clause (Non vou, pois estou canso), then or so for a conclusion, and well at the start of a reply (Pois non sei).
How It Works
1. Because
After the main clause, pois introduces the reason. This is common in writing: Non vou, pois estou canso (I am not going, because I am tired). To give the reason first, use como or pois que instead: Pois que o tes que facer, empeza canto antes (since you have to do it, start as soon as possible). See also giving reasons.
2. Then, so
Between commas, pois draws a conclusion from what was said before: É tarde; imos, pois, para casa (it is late, so let us go home). See expressing consequences.
3. Well
At the start of a reply, pois reacts to what someone said: Pois non sei (well, I do not know). It often joins fixed phrases:
- pois ben: well then, right: Pois ben, mañá empezamos.
- pois claro: of course: —Vés á festa? —Pois claro!
- pois logo: well then: Non estudaches? Pois logo non te queixes. See logo.
Galician form. Write pois, not Spanish pues.
Examples (6)
- Pois non sei.
Well, I don't know.
Word by Word: Well not I-know.
At the start of a reply, pois works like well.
- Non vou, pois estou canso.
I'm not going, because I'm tired.
After the main clause, pois gives the reason.
- É tarde; imos, pois, para casa.
It's late, so let's go home.
Between commas, pois draws a conclusion.
- Pois ben, mañá empezamos.
Right then, we start tomorrow.
Pois ben closes a discussion and moves on.
- —Vés á festa? —Pois claro!
"Are you coming to the party?" "Of course!"
Pois claro means of course.
- Non estudaches? Pois logo non te queixes da nota.
You didn't study? Well then, don't complain about your grade.
Pois logo draws a conclusion from the answer.
Common Mistakes
Using the Spanish form.
Pues non sei.Pois non sei.The Galician word is pois.
Starting with pois when you mean because.
Pois estou canso, non vou.Como estou canso, non vou.At the start, pois on its own sounds like well. To give the reason first, use como or pois que; or put the reason after: Non vou, pois estou canso.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Pois can mark a reason, conclusion or conversational response.
Related Patterns
- porque / xa que / comoGiving Reasons
Other ways to give a reason, including como for a reason that comes first.
Level 3 - logoLogo Meaning So
Often combines with pois in pois logo, and can also draw a conclusion.
Level 4 - xa que logo / por conseguinteFormal Consequence Connectors
Formal connectors for conclusions.
Level 5 - dado que / posto que / visto queFormal Causal Connectors
Formal ways to give a reason.
Level 5 - home! / ai! / ollo!Interjections
Other words used to react in conversation.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice pois in Bubblegum
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