What does it mean word for word?
The conjunction لأن is a compound of the preposition ل (for/to) and the particle أن (that).
Which one should you use?
You should use لأن when the reason is expressed as a clause (e.g., 'because he is…'), but use بسبب when the reason is followed directly by a noun (e.g., 'because of the weather').
Is it said differently in some regions?
عشان is a colloquial expression used particularly in Egyptian and Levantine dialects. مشان is an informal word used in Levantine dialects before verbs. لأنو is a colloquial variation used in various dialects, including Levantine and Gulf dialects.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The conjunction لأن must be followed by a nominal sentence, such as a noun or a pronoun, rather than a verb alone. To say 'because I', you attach the first-person singular suffix -ī to create لأنني. To say 'because you', the suffix changes based on gender and number, such as -ka for masculine singular or -ki for feminine singular.
How do you pronounce it?
li'anna
Did you know?
- In Egyptian and Levantine Arabic, the colloquial word عشان replaces لأن in daily conversation. This word is believed to be derived from the phrase على شأن, meaning 'for the sake of'.
- Unlike the English 'because', which can stand alone as a one-word answer to 'Why?', لأن typically requires a full clause to follow it to be grammatically correct.
- The formal لأن is essential for writing and news broadcasts, but using it in a casual coffee shop in Cairo or Beirut might make the speaker sound like they are reading a textbook.
Examples in context
- أحب توم لأنه أمين.I like Tom because he's honest.This example shows how to use لأن to provide a reason for liking someone.Tatoeba #491404 by saeb, translation #491398 by darinmex
- تبغضه لأنه فقير فحسب.She despises him only because he is poor.This example uses لأن to explain the reason for a feeling toward someone.Tatoeba #686252 by Samer, translation #284141 by CM
- لم أذهب لأن الجو سيء.Because of the bad weather, I didn't go.This example demonstrates the use of لأن to explain the reason for not going.Tatoeba #9036314 by KeEichi, translation #1445310 by CK
- أحبَّ القراءة لأنَّها تثري المعرفة.I love reading because it enriches knowledge.
- لم يأتِ بِسَبَبِ المرض.He didn't come because of the illness.
- تَأَخَّرَت نَظَرًا لِلمرور الكَثِيف.She was delayed due to heavy traffic.
- ما راح انام عشان عندي مذاكرة.I won't sleep because I have studying to do.
- ما بتشتغل لأنو عندها مشكلة.She's not working because she has a problem.
- 70 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Ziad are talking about why Ziad missed his class.
- سارة Saraلماذا لم تذهب إلى الفصل؟limādhā lam tadhhab ilā al-faṣl?Why didn't you go to class?
- زياد Ziadلم أذهب لأنني كنت مريضًا.lam adhab li'annanī kuntu marīḍan.I didn't go because I was sick.
- سارة Saraهل أنت بخير الآن؟hal anta bikhayr al-ān?Are you okay now?
- زياد Ziadنعم، أنا بخير الآن.na'am, ana bikhayr al-ān.Yes, I am fine now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
