dėl + genitive
Because of and for the Sake of with Dėl
Dėl + genitive usually means because of: Vėlavau dėl lietaus. (I was late because of the rain.)
How It Works
Cause
The main meaning of dėl is a cause: dėl lietaus, dėl ligos, dėl to (because of that). Dėl needs a noun or pronoun. To give a reason with a whole clause, use nes: Vėlavau, nes lijo. See Because With Nes and So and That Is Why With Todėl.
For someone's sake
Padariau tai dėl tavęs. (I did it for you.) Nesijaudink dėl manęs. (Do not worry about me.)
About or regarding
After verbs of calling, agreeing, arguing and applying, dėl names the topic: Skambinu dėl susitikimo. (I am calling about the meeting.) Susitarėme dėl kainos. Jie ginčijasi dėl pinigų. (They argue about money.) You also see it in official titles: nutarimas dėl ... (a decision on ...). It can name a prize people compete for: kova dėl pirmos vietos (the fight for first place).
Intended use: the dative
For an intended use or recipient, a common pattern is the dative, as in money for a car or a book for children: Taupau pinigus mašinai. (I am saving money for a car.) See Dative of Purpose.
Dėl ko? and kodėl
Dėl ko? asks why or about what: Dėl ko jūs ginčijatės? (What are you arguing about?) The question word kodėl (why) grew from ko dėl. See Where, When, How and Why.
Examples (6)
- Vėlavau dėl lietaus.
I was late because of the rain.
Word by Word: (I) was-late because-of rain-GEN.
- Dėl ligos jis šiandien neatėjo į darbą.
He didn't come to work today because of illness.
Word by Word: Because-of illness-GEN he today not-came to work.
- Padariau tai dėl tavęs.
I did it for you.
Word by Word: (I) did it for-sake-of you-GEN.
- Nesijaudink dėl manęs.
Don't worry about me.
Word by Word: Do-not-worry about me-GEN.
- Skambinu dėl rytojaus susitikimo.
I'm calling about tomorrow's meeting.
Word by Word: (I) call about tomorrow-GEN meeting-GEN.
- Mes ilgai ginčijomės dėl kainos.
We argued about the price for a long time.
Word by Word: We long argued about price-GEN.
Common Mistakes
Using the accusative for the intended use of the money.
Taupau pinigus naują mašiną.Taupau pinigus naujai mašinai.To state what the saved money is intended for in this pattern, use the dative naujai mašinai. Dėl can express reasons or goals in other constructions.
Putting a whole clause after dėl.
Vėlavau dėl lijo.Vėlavau, nes lijo.Dėl must be followed by a noun or pronoun in the genitive, such as dėl lietaus. To give the reason as a clause with a verb, use nes.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Dėl selects a genitive reason, concern or beneficiary.
Related Patterns
- nesBecause with Nes
Nes gives a reason with a whole clause; dėl gives it with a noun.
Level 2 - todėlSo and That Is Why with Todėl
Todėl (so, that is why) is built from dėl.
Level 3 - Dative of Purpose
The dative commonly identifies an intended use or recipient; compare it with the reasons and goals expressed by dėl.
Level 3 - kur / kada / kaip / kodėlWhere, When, How and Why
Kodėl (why) grew out of ko dėl.
Level 1 - už + accusativeFor and in Exchange for with Už
Už + accusative gives the reason you thank someone: Ačiū už pagalbą.
Level 2 - apie + accusativeAbout and Around with Apie
Apie also means about, used after verbs of talking and thinking.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice dėl + genitive in Bubblegum
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