Don’t mess up Because in French ever again

Have you ever got midway through a conversation that led you to translate “because” and you went with with parce que, only to then think “is that right?” because you know there are other alternatives to it?

It’s quite likely because you actually wanted to say “becauseΒ of“, and the equivalent in French doesn’t actually start with “parce que” and then add a word for “of”.

Non.

So, in this article let me guide you through how to decide between parce que and all the other terms I hear on a daily basis that mean because and because of so you can be fully equipped to both understand and use them with confidence.

Either watch the video below or keep reading for the abridged version for how to say because in French.

Parce que & car

Ask yourself the question “do I want to sayΒ because orΒ because of and translate that to French?”.

If the answer isΒ because, then you will need one ofΒ parce queΒ orΒ car.

  • Je suis ici parce que je suis tombΓ©.
    • I’m here because I fell.

Or even with parce que at the start of the sentence:

  • Parce que je suis pas fiable, mon patron m’a virΓ©.
    • Because I’m not reliable, my boss fired me.

Car is simply a more formal version of French. Nothing to do with the vehicle :p.

There is more nuance to it if you go deep into the technicalities but that’s pretty much it.

Sometimes I hear it spoken but mainly I encounter it in written form.

  • Je suis ici car je suis tombΓ©.

Γ€ cause de & grΓ’ce Γ 

Returning to that question “do I want to sayΒ because orΒ because of?”, if your answer isΒ because of then you need to use one ofΒ Γ  cause de orΒ grΓ’ce Γ .

For an intermediate speaker I like to recommend that you think ofΒ Γ  cause de asΒ because of in the negative sense. I.e. there is a negative consequence, fault, or blame for something. In this case, useΒ Γ  cause de:

  • Je suis tombΓ© Γ  cause d’une flaque d’eau que je n’ai pas vue.
    • I fell because of a puddle that I didn’t see.
  • On est dans cette situation Γ  cause de toi.
    • We’re in this situation because of you.

It’s not always used for negative situations, but it’s useful for you at this stage to think of it like that because it will enable you to choose between Γ  cause de and grΓ’ce Γ  without thinking.

What do I mean? Well grΓ’ce Γ  is used exclusively for positive outcomes. Think of it asΒ thanks to if it makes it easier.

  • GrΓ’ce Γ  toi, je suis sauvΓ©.
    • Because of you/Thanks to you, I’m saved.
  • Elle a survecu grΓ’ce Γ  la gΓ©nΓ©rositΓ© d’un inconnu.
    • She survived because of a stranger’s generosity.

En raison de

This is one I’ve never heard out loud, but I see it in official messages, letters, or announcements.

So, not one I encourage you to use in your speaking but it’ll help your comprehension to know about.

It means because of orΒ due to.

My two examples today come from public transport.

  • Le trafic est interrompu entre Portet-St-Simon et Latour de Carol en raison d’un accident de personne.
    • Trains are suspended between Portet-St-Simon and Latour de Carol because of/due to an accident involving a person.

And on the tram recently in Montpellier I saw:

  • Retards annoncΓ©s sur la ligne 2 en raison d’un accident.
    • Delays reported on line 2 due to an accident.

So that’s it! Never mix up your translations ofΒ becauseΒ andΒ because of in French again.

Don’t forget to get your free copy of my guide to help you speak French with more confidence.

 

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