lebo / pretože
Because: Lebo and Pretože
To give a reason, add a clause with lebo or pretože after a comma: Nejdem von, lebo prší (I'm not going out because it's raining).
How It Works
Basic use. The main clause comes first, then a comma and the reason: Zostal som doma, lebo som chorý. Učím sa po slovensky, pretože tu žijem.
Answering prečo. In conversation a short answer to prečo can start with either word: Prečo nejdeš? – Lebo som unavený. or – Pretože som unavený.
Reason first. When the reason opens the sentence, Slovak normally uses pretože, or keďže for a reason the listener already knows: Pretože pršalo, zostali sme doma. Keďže prší, zostaneme doma.
Emphasis. To stress the reason, put preto in the main clause: Nejdem von preto, lebo prší, or preto, že prší.
pretože and preto. Do not confuse pretože (because) with preto (so, therefore). Pretože introduces the cause, while preto introduces the result: Nejdem von, pretože prší. but Prší, preto nejdem von.
The comma. A comma always comes before lebo and pretože; see commas before conjunctions.
Examples (5)
- Nejdem von, lebo prší.
I'm not going out because it's raining.
Word by Word: I-don't-go out, because it-rains.
- Učím sa po slovensky, pretože tu žijem.
I'm learning Slovak because I live here.
Word by Word: I-learn myself in Slovak, because here I-live.
- Prečo meškáš? – Lebo mi ušiel autobus.
Why are you late? – Because I missed the bus.
Word by Word: Why you-are-late? – Because to-me escaped bus.
A short spoken answer to prečo can begin with lebo.
- Pretože pršalo, zostali sme doma.
Because it was raining, we stayed at home.
Word by Word: Because it-rained, stayed we-are at-home.
When the reason comes first, pretože is the usual choice.
- Zavolal som ti, lebo potrebujem pomoc.
I called you because I need help.
Word by Word: Called I-am to-you, because I-need help.
Common Mistakes
Confusing pretože (because) with preto (so, therefore).
Nejdem von, preto prší.Nejdem von, pretože prší.The intended meaning is because it's raining. Preto introduces a result, so this sentence says I'm not going out, so it's raining.
Leaving out the comma before lebo or pretože.
Zostal som doma lebo som chorý.Zostal som doma, lebo som chorý.A comma always separates the main clause from the reason clause.
Writing pretože as separate words.
Nejdem, pre to že som unavený.Nejdem, pretože som unavený.Pretože is one word.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Because: lebo and pretože, learn Where, When, How and Why and And, But and Or. lebo and pretože answer prečo. They join two clauses like the basic conjunctions.
Related Patterns
- keďžeSince: Keďže
Keďže also gives a reason, usually one already known, and typically comes first.
Level 4 - preto / takSo and Therefore
Preto gives the result and is easily confused with pretože.
Level 3 - Commas Before Conjunctions
Explains the comma before lebo and pretože.
Level 4 - totižYou See: Totiž
Totiž is another way to add an explanation.
Level 4 - veď / predsaEmphatic Veď and Predsa
Veď gives a reason that the listener should already accept.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice lebo / pretože in Bubblegum
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