ਕਿਉਂਕਿ
kyuṅki
The Punjabi word for "because" is ਕਿਉਂਕਿ (kyuṅki).
ਕਿਉਂਕਿ is a conjunction used to provide a reason or an account for something, meaning "for the reason that" or "on this account that".
Meaning: by or for the cause that, on this account that, for the reason that (conj)
Which one should you use?
It is important not to confuse ਕਿਉਂਕਿ with ਕਿਉਂ, which means "why" and is used when asking a question.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a subordinating conjunction, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ is typically placed at the beginning of the clause that explains the reason.
How do you pronounce it?
kyuṅki
Did you know?
- The word ਕਿਉਂਕਿ is actually a linguistic hybrid, built by combining the question word ਕਿਉਂ, meaning 'why', with the particle ਕਿ, meaning 'that'.
- The word ਕਿਉਂਕਿ is nearly identical to the Hindi counterpart क्योंकि, illustrating the deep linguistic link between the two languages.
- While ਕਿਉਂਕਿ is grammatically standard, in many spoken dialects, the word ਕਿਉਂਕਿ can sound overly formal or even 'bookish' in a relaxed conversation.
Examples in context
- ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਇਆ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਬਿਮਾਰ ਸੀ।main nahī̃ āiā kiuṅki main bimār sī.I did not come because I was sick.
- ਉਹ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਅੱਜ ਛੁੱਟੀ ਹੈ।uh khuś hai kiuṅki ajj chuṭṭī hai.He is happy because today is a holiday.
Example conversation
Simran and Aman are discussing why they are late for a meeting.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਅਮਨ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਇੰਨੇ ਦੇਰ ਨਾਲ ਕਿਉਂ ਆਏ?Aman, tusi inne der naal kion aaye?Aman, why are you so late?
- ਅਮਨ Amanਮੈਂ ਦੇਰ ਨਾਲ ਆਇਆ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਟ੍ਰੈਫਿਕ ਬਹੁਤ ਸੀ।Main der naal aaya kionki traffic bahut si.I arrived late because there was a lot of traffic.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਕੀ ਸਭ ਕੁਝ ਠੀਕ ਹੈ?Ki sab kujh theek hai?Is everything okay?
- ਅਮਨ Amanਹਾਂ, ਸਭ ਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਸਿਮਰਨ।Haan, sab theek hai, dhanvaad Simran.Yes, everything is fine, thank you Simran.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਕਿਉਂਕਿ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
