chunki

Because

Level 2

Chunki means because. Say what happened first, then give the reason: Kelmadim, chunki kasal edim (I didn't come because I was ill).

How It Works

Chunki introduces a reason. The order is fixed: first the main idea, then a comma, then chunki and the reason.

  • Kelmadim, chunki kasal edim. (I didn't come because I was ill.)
  • Deraza ochiq, chunki xona issiq. (The window is open because the room is hot.)

The reason after chunki is a complete sentence with its own verb or ending, like kasal edim or yomgʻir yogʻyapti.

Answering why. When someone asks Nega? (Why?), you can start your answer with chunki: — Nega kechikdingiz? — Chunki avtobus kelmadi. You can also just give the reason: Avtobus kelmadi.

Reason first? In English you can say Because I was ill, I didn't come. Uzbek does not open a sentence with a chunki clause like that. Put the reason first and use shuning uchun (so): Kasal edim, shuning uchun kelmadim. Later you will also learn -gani uchun, a verb ending that puts the reason first.

In literary writing, negaki can take the place of chunki.

Examples (5)

  1. Kelmadim, chunki kasal edim.

    I didn't come because I was ill.

    Word by Word: Came-not-I, because ill was-I.

  2. Bugun uydaman, chunki yomgʻir yogʻyapti.

    I'm at home today because it's raining.

    Word by Word: Today home-at-I, because rain is-falling.

  3. Oʻzbek tilini oʻrganyapman, chunki Toshkentda ishlayman.

    I'm learning Uzbek because I work in Tashkent.

    Word by Word: Uzbek language-the learning-I, because Tashkent-in work-I.

  4. — Nega kechikdingiz? — Chunki avtobus kelmadi.

    "Why were you late?" "Because the bus didn't come."

    Word by Word: Why were-late-you? Because bus came-not.

    In an answer, chunki can start the reply.

  5. Deraza ochiq, chunki xona issiq.

    The window is open because the room is hot.

    Word by Word: Window open, because room hot.

Common Mistakes

  • Starting the sentence with a chunki clause.

    Chunki kasal edim, kelmadim.
    Kelmadim, chunki kasal edim.

    The chunki part comes after the main idea. To give the reason first, say Kasal edim, shuning uchun kelmadim.

  • Mixing up chunki and shuning uchun.

    Kasal edim, chunki kelmadim. (meaning: I was ill, so I didn't come)
    Kasal edim, shuning uchun kelmadim.

    Chunki introduces the reason, so the first sentence says the illness happened because you didn't come. Use shuning uchun before a result.

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chunkiLevel 2Because

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