kadangi

Since with Kadangi

Level 4

Kadangi means since or because. It can introduce the reason before the main clause: Kadangi lijo, likome namie (Since it was raining, we stayed at home).

How It Works

1. Reason first. The most typical order is kadangi + reason, comma, result:

  • Kadangi lijo, likome namie. (Since it was raining, we stayed at home.)
  • Kadangi nemoku vairuoti, važiuoju traukiniu. (Since I can't drive, I go by train.)

2. Reason second. Kadangi can also follow the main clause, especially in formal writing: Susitikimas atšaukiamas, kadangi direktorius serga (The meeting is cancelled because the director is ill).

3. Kadangi or nes? Both give a reason. Nes is the everyday word, and its reason clause normally follows the main clause: Likome namie, nes lijo. Kadangi is the usual choice for placing the reason before the result in this pattern.

4. Reason or result? Kadangi goes with the cause. The result is introduced by todėl (so): Lijo, todėl likome namie (It was raining, so we stayed at home). To give a reason with just a noun, use dėl + genitive: Dėl lietaus likome namie (Because of the rain, we stayed at home).

5. The comma. The kadangi clause is normally separated from the main clause by a comma. See Commas Before Subordinate Clauses.

Examples (5)

  1. Kadangi lijo, likome namie.

    Since it was raining, we stayed at home.

    Word by Word: Since rained, stayed at-home.

  2. Kadangi jūs jau čia, pradėkime.

    Since you are already here, let's begin.

  3. Kadangi autobusas vėlavo, pavėlavau į pamoką.

    Since the bus was late, I was late for class.

  4. Kadangi nemoku vairuoti, važiuoju traukiniu.

    Since I can't drive, I go by train.

  5. Susitikimas atšaukiamas, kadangi direktorius serga.

    The meeting is cancelled because the director is ill.

    A formal notice, with the kadangi clause second.

Common Mistakes

  • Starting the sentence with nes.

    Nes lijo, likome namie.
    Kadangi lijo, likome namie.

    To place the reason before the main clause in this sentence, use kadangi. Nes can begin a separate sentence that explains what was said before.

  • Using kadangi for the result.

    Lijo, kadangi likome namie.
    Lijo, todėl likome namie.

    The intended meaning is "it was raining, so we stayed at home". Kadangi marks the cause, so this sentence says the rain happened because we stayed at home. Use todėl for the result.

  • Leaving out the comma.

    Kadangi lijo likome namie.
    Kadangi lijo, likome namie.

    The kadangi clause is a subordinate clause, so a comma separates it from the main clause.

How It Connects

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

kadangiLevel 4Since with Kadangi

Learn This First

Kadangi introduces a reason that may precede or follow its result.

Words in This Pattern

kadangi