German word

deshalb

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈdɛsˌhalp/

Meaning

  • adverbthat's why

Example

Ich bin krank, deshalb bleibe ich zu Hause.

I am sick, so I am staying home.

Illustration for deshalb (that's why)

More examples

Ich habe keine Zeit, deshalb kann ich nicht mitkommen.

I have no time; that's why I can't come along.

Core concept

A small arrow runs from a known cause to its immediate consequence.

Common phrases

  • gerade deshalb

    for that very reason

  • eben deshalb

    for exactly that reason

Similar words

darum: Connects a reason with the result that follows from it.
deswegen: Indicates that an outcome is caused by the stated reason.
also: Signals a conclusion drawn from what was just said.
daher: Connects a stated cause with its resulting consequence.

Definition in German

Ursache und daraus folgendes Ergebnis knapp verbindet.

Word origin

Deshalb developed from Middle High German deshalp and deshalben, compounds of des ('that') and halb ('side' or 'regard') meaning 'for that reason'.

Usage tips

  • Unlike weil, deshalb leaves the finite verb in second position because it introduces a main clause, not a subordinate clause.

Other meanings

  • thereforeadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word