tā kā

Since and as: Tā Kā

Level 4

Tā kā means since or as. It gives the reason first, then the result: Tā kā bija vēls, mēs braucām mājās (As it was late, we drove home).

How It Works

1. Reason first. Tā kā names a reason, often one the listener already knows, and the main clause says what follows from it:

  • Tā kā līst, mēs paliksim mājās. (Since it is raining, we will stay at home.)
  • Tā kā tu jau esi šeit, palīdzi man! (Since you are already here, help me!)

2. The comma. A comma closes the tā kā clause. No comma goes right after tā kā itself.

3. Three look-alikes.

  • tā kā (since): reason, before the main clause. Tā kā ir auksts, jāsaģērbjas silti. (Since it is cold, you need to dress warmly.)
  • tā ka (so that, so): result, after the main clause. Ir auksts, tā ka jāsaģērbjas silti. (It is cold, so you need to dress warmly.)
  • tā, kā with a comma (the way that): Dari tā, kā es saku. (Do it the way I say.) See pairs like tas, kas.

4. Reason after the main clause. The usual choice there is jo: Mēs braucām mājās, jo bija vēls. In careful writing, tā kā is kept for a reason that comes first.

Examples (5)

  1. Tā kā bija vēls, mēs braucām mājās.

    As it was late, we drove home.

    Word by Word: Since was late, we drove home.

  2. Tā kā līst, mēs paliksim mājās.

    Since it is raining, we will stay at home.

  3. Tā kā tu jau esi šeit, palīdzi man!

    Since you are already here, help me!

    The main clause can be a command.

  4. Tā kā veikals bija slēgts, mēs pusdienojām kafejnīcā.

    As the shop was closed, we had lunch at a café.

  5. Tā kā es nerunāju vāciski, viņš runāja angliski.

    Since I don't speak German, he spoke English.

Common Mistakes

  • Using tā kā for a result instead of tā ka.

    Bija vēls, tā kā mēs braucām mājās.
    Bija vēls, tā ka mēs braucām mājās.

    The second clause is a result (so we drove home). A result clause after the main clause takes tā ka, with a short a. Tā kā gives a reason.

  • Putting a comma right after tā kā.

    Tā kā, bija vēls, mēs braucām mājās.
    Tā kā bija vēls, mēs braucām mājās.

    Tā kā belongs to its clause. The only comma goes where the clause ends, before the main clause.

How It Connects

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

tā kāLevel 4Since and as: Tā Kā

Learn This First

Tā kā gives a reason.

Words in This Pattern

kā