Weil vs Denn – Because vs For/Because
In German, weil and denn both explain reasons, but they differ in grammar and emphasis. This short guide shows when to use each so your explanations sound natural.
Weil
Use weil to give a cause with a subordinate clause; the verb goes to the end and the listener focuses on the reason. Weil is common in speech and writing when you want to connect smoothly to the cause.
Examples
| German Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| ☕ Ich trinke Kaffee, weil ich müde bin. | I’m drinking coffee because I’m tired. |
| 🍰 Sie isst Kuchen, weil sie Hunger hat. | She’s eating cake because she’s hungry. |
| 🌧️ Ich bleibe drin, weil es regnet. | I’m staying inside because it’s raining. |
| 🕒 Wir gehen später, weil wir mehr Zeit brauchen. | We’re going later because we need more time. |
Format
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Tips
Denn
Use denn to give a reason in a main clause; it preserves the normal word order and feels less formal than weil. Denn works well when you add a quick explanation or when you reply to a question.
Examples
| German Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| ☕ Ich trinke Kaffee, denn ich bin müde. | I’m drinking coffee, for I am tired. |
| 🍰 Sie isst Kuchen, denn sie hat Hunger. | She’s eating cake, for she is hungry. |
| 🌧️ Ich bleibe drin, denn es regnet. | I’m staying inside, for it is raining. |
| 🕒 Wir gehen später, denn wir brauchen mehr Zeit. | We’re going later, for we need more time. |
Format
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Tips
Summary
Use weil for subordinate clauses where the verb goes to the end and the reason is part of a larger sentence. Use denn to add reasons in main clauses that keep normal word order and sound more like a quick explanation.
Last updated: Tue Sep 16, 2025