यतः
yataḥ
The usual Sanskrit word for "because" is यतः (yataḥ). The particle हि is also used to give a reason.
Meaning: by or for the cause that, on this account that, for the reason that (conj)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| यतः | yataḥ | |
| हि | hi | /ɦi/ (Vedic) /ɦi/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
यतः introduces the clause that gives the reason, much like "because" or "since" in English. The main clause often answers it with ततः (tataḥ, "therefore").
Which one should you use?
हि is a particle that never stands first in its clause: it follows the first word and means "for" or "indeed". यतः stands at the head of the clause that gives the reason.
How do you pronounce it?
yataḥ
Did you know?
- यतः is built from the relative stem य (ya-, "which") and the suffix -तः (-taḥ, "from"), so it literally means "from which".
- The particle हि can never open a sentence. It always follows the first word, the way "for" sits inside a clause in older English prose.
Example sentences for Sanskrit are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a late arrival.
- अनन्या Ananyaविवान, त्वं विलम्बेन आगतः।vivāna, tvaṃ vilambena āgataḥ.Vivan, you have come late.
- विवान Vivaanयतः वर्षा भवति, अहं विलम्बेन आगतः।yataḥ varṣā bhavati, ahaṃ vilambena āgataḥ.Because it is raining, I came late.
- अनन्या Ananyaकिं तव छत्रं नास्ति?kiṃ tava chatraṃ nāsti?Do you not have an umbrella?
- विवान Vivaanनास्ति, यतः तत् गृहे विस्मृतम्।nāsti, yataḥ tat gṛhe vismṛtam.I don't, because I forgot it at home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “because” translations and entries हि, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
