का? (कारण)
Asking Why
A question with का before the verb asks why, and an answer with कारण gives the reason.
How It Works
का is a small word with two jobs. Its place in the sentence decides which one.
| Position | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| before the verb | तू का रडतेस? | Why are you crying? |
| at the end | तू रडतेस का? | Are you crying? |
For why, put का after the subject and any time word, right before the verb: बस का थांबली आहे?
The verb takes its usual form. A man hears तू उशिरा का आलास? and a woman hears तू उशिरा का आलीस?
Answer with कारण (because) or with a plain statement: कारण पाऊस आला. (Because it rained.) Use म्हणून only when the reason comes first.
Politer questions to adults and strangers use तुम्ही: तुम्ही शाळेत का गेला नाहीत? (Why didn't you go to school?)
Examples (5)
- तू उशिरा का आलास?
Why did you come late? Asked to a man.
का stands before आलास, and आलास shows a man.
- तू का रडतेस?
Why are you crying? Asked to a woman.
का stands before रडतेस, and रडतेस shows a woman.
- बस का थांबली आहे?
Why has the bus stopped?
का asks for the reason before the verb.
- तुम्ही शाळेत का गेला नाहीत?
Why didn't you go to school?
The polite तुम्ही takes गेला नाहीत.
- मुले का रडत आहेत?
Why are the children crying?
का comes right before the verb group.
Common Mistakes
Using कारण as a question word.
कारण तू उशिरा आलास?तू उशिरा का आलास?कारण means because. Use का to ask why.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Why asks for a reason.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice का? (कारण) in Bubblegum
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