keďže Versus nakoľko

Causal Keďže Versus Nakoľko

Level 6

Keďže ste neprišli, začali sme bez vás (Since you didn't come, we started without you). Nakoľko sa pamätám, nebol tu nikto (As far as I remember, nobody was here).

How It Works

What nakoľko really means. Nakoľko is about degree or extent:

  • In a question: Nakoľko je to pravda? (To what extent is it true?)
  • For extent: Každý pomáhal, nakoľko vládal. (Everyone helped as much as they could.)
  • To limit a statement: nakoľko viem, nakoľko sa pamätám (as far as I know, as far as I remember)

The common mistake. In official texts, nakoľko is often used to mean since or because, probably under the influence of other languages. The Short Dictionary of Slovak (KSSJ) and the language advice service of the Ľ. Štúr Institute call this use incorrect. Use a causal conjunction instead:

  • keďže: since, as, for a known reason, usually at the start of the sentence: Keďže prší, zostaneme doma.
  • pretože and lebo: because, usually after the main clause: Nejdem von, lebo prší.

A quick test. If you can replace the word with do akej miery (to what extent), nakoľko is right. If you mean because or since, choose keďže, pretože or lebo.

Examples (6)

  1. Keďže ste neprišli, začali sme bez vás.

    Since you didn't come, we started without you.

    Word by Word: Since you-didn't-come, we-started without you.

  2. Nakoľko sa pamätám, nebol tu nikto.

    As far as I remember, nobody was here.

    Word by Word: As-far-as myself I-remember, wasn't here nobody.

  3. Nakoľko je táto správa pravdivá?

    To what extent is this report true?

    Word by Word: To-what-extent is this report true?

  4. Každý pomáhal, nakoľko vládal.

    Everyone helped as much as they could.

    Word by Word: Everyone helped, as-much-as had-strength.

  5. Nepôjdem na výlet, pretože som chorý.

    I'm not going on the trip because I'm ill.

    Word by Word: I-won't-go on trip, because I-am ill.

  6. Keďže je už zima, treba prikúriť.

    Since it's already cold, we need to turn up the heating.

    Word by Word: Since is already cold, necessary to-heat.

Common Mistakes

  • Using nakoľko to give a reason.

    Nakoľko ste neprišli, vylúčili sme vás.
    Keďže ste neprišli, vylúčili sme vás.

    The sentence gives a reason, so it needs keďže or pretože. Nakoľko would mean to what extent.

  • Using nakoľko for because after the main clause.

    Nevládze, nakoľko je už starý.
    Nevládze, pretože je už starý.

    After the main clause, a reason is introduced with pretože or lebo.

How It Connects

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

keďže Versus nakoľkoLevel 6Causal Keďže Versus Nakoľko

Learn This First

Before Causal keďže Versus nakoľko, learn Since: keďže. The entry contrasts keďže with nakoľko.

Words in This Pattern

nakoľkonakoľkolebo