5 ways to say because in French

Did you know there are different ways to express the cause (a reason) in French? Why use “because” when you can give more details. Indeed, the cause can be positive, negative, or neutral.

Moreover, each expression needs a certain structure. Therefore, it’s important to not only understand each meaning behind them but also to know how to use them really well.

Let’s study 5 less boring ways to say “because” in French…

How to express the cause in French.

To start off, let’s remind ourselves that the cause is when you explain something behind the action or result. In other words, you give the reason.

Imagine you are late for work. The reason? It can be the traffic, your phone that didn’t ring, the bad weather, and so on. To justify or explain yourself, you describe the cause or reason for you being late.

There are 5 ways to describe the cause:

• parce que (because)
• car (because)
• à cause de (because of)
• grâce à (thanks to)
• en raison de (due to)

In the following parts, we will focus on each one to explain its nuance and how to apply it.

How do you say “because” in French?

If you are a beginner or want to express the general meaning of the cause, the first literal translation will be “parce que”. It’s still the direct response to the question “pourquoi?” (why).

• Pourquoi étudies-tu le français? Parce que j’adore cette langue! >>> Why are you studying French? Because I love this language!

Therefore, it’s essential for you to know this word. However, you can give even more details about the cause.

What’s the difference between “parce que” and “car”?

They both mean the same. The main difference is the context. Indeed, “car” is more formal. Consequently, you can easily switch one for the other. You want to say “car” in your conversations with your boss, important people…to show some respect and formality.

Besides, when you write something in French, especially for an exam, it’s always good to vary your words instead of repeating the same linking words over and over. Not only will you show that you possess a palette of words but you will also give more harmony and fluidity in your written productions.

• Je vais à notre boulangerie dans le village car ils ont les meilleurs croissants du monde >>> I go to our bakery in the village because they have the best croissants in the world. 

“À cause de”: the negative way to say because in French.

At this stage, we have seen 2 ways to say “because”: the usual, normal way: “parce que” and “car” for more formal situations.

Now, let’s be more precise about the cause since it can be negative, positive, or neutral.

First, the negative way with the expression “à cause de” (because of/ due to).

So, whenever you wish to express a negative reason, simply pick “à cause de” followed by a noun.

By the way, you should be attentive to the changes required if the noun is singular or plural, masculine or feminine or if it starts with a vowel or h.

• à cause du >>> masculine
• à cause de la >>> feminine
• à cause de l’ >>> h or vowel
• à cause des >>> plural

Let’s see them in action with some examples:

• (masculine) >>>  À cause du racisme, les humains sont moins tolérants >>> Because of racism, humans are less tolerant.
• (feminine) >>> À cause de la guerre, les gens meurent >>> Because of the war, people die.
• (h or vowel) >>>  À cause de l’argent, il a perdu ses amis >>> Because of money, he has lost his friends.
• (plural)  >>> C’est à cause des chats que j’éternue  >>> It’s because of the cats that I am sneezing a lot.

The positive way to give a reason in French.

Contrary to the previous case, a reason can be positive with good results or consequences.

In this case, you will apply “grâce à” in order to say “because” or “thanks to”.

This time again, you’ll pay attention to the gender, number, and spelling of the word following the expression.

• grâce au >>> masculine
• grâce à la >>> feminine
• grâce à l’ >>> h or vowel
• grâce aux >>> plural

With examples, you’ll have this:

• (masculine) >>> On est bien grâce au sport >>> One feels good thanks to sport.
• (feminine) >>> Grâce à la science, les gens vivent plus longtemps >>> Thanks to science, people live longer.
• (h or vowel) >>>  Grâce à l’art, on peut s’exprimer >>> Thanks to art, one can express oneself.
• (plural)  >>> Grâce aux langues, on peut mieux communiquer >>> Thanks to languages, one can communicate better.

When the cause is neutral in French, use “en raison de”.

To finish, let’s examine the way to express a neutral reason. Yes, it can be tricky to see it as neutral. So, think when it’s nobody’s fault when it doesn’t depend on humans… like the weather, time…

The neutral expression you will need is “en raison de” meaning “due to”.

Once more, verify the gender, number, and spelling of the word following the expression.

• en raison du >>> masculine
• en raison de la >>> feminine
• en raison de l’ >>> h or vowel
• en raison des >>> plural

Let’s apply it with some examples:

• (masculine) >>> La compétition est annulée en raison du temps >>> The competition is cancelled due to the weather.
• (feminine) >>> En raison de la neige, les avions sont bloqués sur le tarmac >>> Due to the snow, planes are stuck on the tarmac.
• (h or vowel) >>>  En raison de l’arrivée du président, les routes sont fermées >>> Due to the arrival of the president, roads are closed.
• (plural)  >>> En raison des grèves, l’économie est mauvaise >>> Due to the strikes, the economy is bad.

To sum it up, you have several ways to translate “because” in French and be more specific. Is the context formal and / or written? Choose “car”. Is the reason negative? You know you should pick “à cause de” . On the contrary, if the cause is a good one, you’ll prefer “grâce à” to give it a positive touch. But if the reason is neutral (neither positive nor negative) because it depends on exterior factors, opt for “en raison de”. 

For the last 3 options, there’s a preposition hence the need to adapt it to the gender and number of the following word.

Finally, if you want the simple, literal translation of “because”, you can use “parce que”.

Do you already play with these 5 less boring ways to say “because”? Go on . . .have a go - and remember I am in the Facebook group Simply French Family and will answer your  posts - just tag me to make sure FB gives me a nudge!