keďže
Since: Keďže
Keďže gives a known reason first and then draws a conclusion from it: since this is so, that follows.
How It Works
A known reason. English since and as often present a reason the listener already knows. Keďže does the same: Keďže prší, zostaneme doma (Since it's raining, we'll stay at home). Everyone can see the rain; the point is the decision.
Position. Keďže usually opens the sentence: Keďže nikto nebol doma, nechal som balík u suseda. It can also come after the main clause: Zostal som doma, keďže som sa necítil dobre. Either way, a comma separates the clauses.
Keďže, lebo and pretože. Lebo is the everyday because, usually after the main clause, and it is the natural answer to Prečo?: Prečo nejdeš? – Lebo som chorý. Keďže needs its main clause, so it does not work as a one-clause answer.
Not nakoľko. In careful Slovak, nakoľko means to what extent (nakoľko sa pamätám, as far as I remember), and it should not replace keďže as a reason word. See keďže versus nakoľko.
Examples (5)
- Keďže prší, zostaneme doma.
Since it's raining, we'll stay at home.
Word by Word: Since it-rains, we-will-stay at-home.
- Keďže nikto nebol doma, nechal som balík u suseda.
As nobody was at home, I left the parcel with the neighbour.
Word by Word: Since nobody not-was at-home, left I-am parcel at neighbour.
- Keďže je sobota, nemusím vstávať skoro.
Since it's Saturday, I don't have to get up early.
Word by Word: Since is Saturday, I-don't-have-to to-get-up early.
- Keďže už všetci vieme, o čo ide, môžeme začať.
Since we all know what it's about, we can start.
Word by Word: Since already all we-know, about what it-goes, we-can to-start.
- Zostal som doma, keďže som sa necítil dobre.
I stayed at home, as I didn't feel well.
Word by Word: Stayed I-am at-home, since I-am myself not-felt well.
Keďže can also follow the main clause.
Common Mistakes
Using nakoľko for a reason.
Nakoľko prší, zostaneme doma.Keďže prší, zostaneme doma.In careful Slovak, nakoľko means to what extent. For a reason, use keďže, pretože or lebo.
Answering prečo? with keďže.
Prečo nejdeš? – Keďže som chorý.Prečo nejdeš? – Lebo som chorý.Keďže needs a main clause after it. A short answer to prečo? uses lebo (or pretože).
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Since: keďže, learn Because: lebo and pretože. keďže gives a cause, like lebo and pretože.
Related Patterns
- keďže Versus nakoľkoCausal Keďže Versus Nakoľko
Why careful Slovak uses keďže, not nakoľko, for a reason.
Level 6 - preto / takSo and Therefore
The other direction: the result comes second, after preto or tak.
Level 3 - totižYou See: Totiž
Totiž adds a reason as an explanation after the main statement.
Level 4 - veď / predsaEmphatic Veď and Predsa
Veď also points to a reason the listener already knows, with emphasis.
Level 4 - Commas Before Conjunctions
The general comma rules for clauses like these.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice keďže in Bubblegum
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