perché
/perˈke/
The Italian word for "because" is perché.
perché functions as a conjunction meaning "by or for the cause that", "on this account that" or "for the reason that". It is a versatile word that is used for both the conjunction "because" and the interrogative "why".
Meaning: by or for the cause that, on this account that, for the reason that (conj)
Which one should you use?
While perché is the standard way to express a reason, the phrase perché sì is an idiom used to mean "just because" or "because I want to," typically when someone is refusing to provide a specific reason.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/perˈke/
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'because' usually introduces a subordinate clause, perché can be used in Italian to express a purpose or a goal, meaning 'in order that'.
- The word perché is a combination of per meaning 'for' and che meaning 'which', evolving from Vulgar Latin into a single word.
- In very formal or literary Italian, writers may use poiché or siccome instead of perché to avoid repetition or add elegance to the text.
Examples in context
- È perché ti amo.It's because I love you.This example shows how to use perché to express the reason for a feeling.Tatoeba #2401327 by Guybrush88, translation #2021208 by Spamster
- È perché la amo.It's because I love her.This example shows how to use perché to express the reason for an action directed at someone.Tatoeba #2401329 by Guybrush88, translation #2021210 by Spamster
- È perché mi ama.It's because she loves me.This example shows how to use perché to express the reason for an action directed toward the speaker.Tatoeba #2552847 by Guybrush88, translation #2021206 by Spamster
- Ho studiato molto perché volevo ottenere buoni voti.I studied hard because I wanted to get good grades.
- Non sono andato alla festa poiché ero malato.I didn't go to the party because I was sick.
- Ho mangiato il dolce giacché l'occasione me lo permetteva.I ate the dessert because the occasion allowed me to.
- 1080 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Giulia are discussing why they are staying home.
- FrancescoPerché non usciamo stasera?Why aren't we going out tonight?
- GiuliaPerché sono molto stanca.Because I am very tired.
- FrancescoHai lavorato troppo oggi?Did you work too much today?
- GiuliaSì, è perché ho avuto molte riunioni.Yes, it is because I had many meetings.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “because” translations and entries perché, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries perché, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
