German Conversation · Level 64
76 words
German word
Ursache
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈuːɐ̯ˌzaxə/
Meaning
- feminine nouncause
Example
Die Ursachen des Feuers sind noch unklar.
The causes of the fire remain unclear.
More examples
Die Ursache des Streits war ein Missverständnis.
The cause of the dispute was a misunderstanding.
Core concept
A domino at the start of a chain of events, whose contact helps produce the final outcome.
Common phrases
die Ursache für
the cause of
die Ursache feststellen
determine the cause
Ursache und Wirkung
cause and effect
Similar words
Grund: The reason or grounds explaining why something happens or a view is held.
Anlass: A specific occasion or circumstance that triggers an event or action.
Definition in German
Ein Umstand oder Faktor, der ein bestimmtes Ergebnis verursacht.
Word origin
Ursache comes from Middle High German ursache and combines ur-, meaning original or primary, with Sache, meaning thing or matter.
Usage tips
- Ursache usually names an objective cause, while Grund more often names a reason or grounds for an action or opinion.
Other meanings
- reasonnoun
- factornoun
Opposites
- Folgeconsequencenoun
- Konsequenzconsequencenoun
Related words
- ursächlichcausaladjective
- Ursachenforschungresearch into causesnoun
- Ursachenermittlunginvestigation of causesnoun