English–German

“because” in German

German

Alsoweil · nämlich

Pronunciation

IPA/dɛn/

Example

Ich kann heute nicht kommen, denn ich bin krank.

I can't come today because I'm sick.

Illustration for denn (because)

How to say “because” in German

“Because” in German is denn.

A reason is placed beside a claim as something that makes the claim understandable or evident.

Full entry for denn: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with denn

Ich esse jetzt, denn ich habe Hunger.

I'm eating now because I'm hungry.

Tips for using denn

  • The conjunction denn differs from the conversational question particle denn, which adds context or expectation rather than introducing a cause.

Other German words for “because”

2

weil

conjunctionbecause

Wir gehen nicht spazieren, weil es regnet.

We aren't going for a walk because it's raining.

Er ist müde, er hat nämlich lange gearbeitet.

He is tired because he has been working for so long.

“because” in other languages