เพราะ
prɔ́/pʰrɔʔ˦˥/
The English word 'because' is expressed in Thai using เพราะ (prɔ́) or เพราะว่า.
Meaning: by or for the cause that, on this account that, for the reason that (conj)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| เพราะ | prɔ́ | /pʰrɔʔ˦˥/ |
| เพราะว่า | prɔ́-wâa | /pʰrɔʔ˦˥.waː˥˩/ |
Both forms are used to express a reason or cause. เพราะว่า is commonly used in spoken Thai to introduce a reason that is a full statement or clause, making the sentence feel more natural and complete. เพราะ can be used more broadly to introduce reasons.
Which one should you use?
เพราะว่า is typically used when the reason following it is a full clause consisting of a subject and a verb. In contrast, the shorter form เพราะ is used more broadly and is the frequent choice when you want to say 'because of' followed by a noun or a person.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say 'because of' followed by a noun or a person, use the shorter form เพราะ.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is prɔ́. The IPA is /pʰrɔʔ˦˥/.
Did you know?
- The word เพราะ can change its entire meaning from a conjunction to an adjective meaning 'melodious' or 'sweet' depending on the context of the sentence.
- The word เพราะ is derived from the Old Khmer word bro, meaning 'because' or 'since'.
- While English speakers almost always use 'because' to connect ideas, Thai speakers often omit the word เพราะ entirely if the reason is already understood from context.
Examples in context
- ทอมตายเพราะฉันTom died because of me.This sentence shows how to use เพราะ to mean 'because of' a person.Tatoeba #8675711 by pastelite, translation #2670844 by meerkat
- เพราะว่าพวกเขากำลังดูทีวีBecause they're watching television.This sentence demonstrates using เพราะ to introduce a reason.Tatoeba #4558242 by reminiz, translation #434322 by lukaszpp
- เราออกไปไม่ได้เพราะฝนตกหนักWe couldn't go out because of the heavy rain.This sentence shows how to use เพราะ to mean 'because of' a noun phrase.Tatoeba #10714722 by Somsak, translation #400150 by CK
- เพราะว่าฉันต้องไปทำงานBecause I have to go to work.
- ฉันหิวเพราะไม่ได้ทานอะไรเช้านี้I'm hungry because I didn't eat anything this morning.
- เขาอารมณ์เสียเพราะไม่ได้รับเชิญเข้างานHe's upset because he didn't receive an invitation to the party.
- ผมรู้สึกเศร้าหน่อยเพราะพี่เขาออกจากบ้านไปแล้วI feel a bit sad because my older brother has moved out of the house.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Pimon and Thanakrit are talking about being late to a meeting.
- พิมล Pimonทำไมคุณมาสายคะtham-mai khun ma sai khaWhy are you late?
- ธนกฤต Thanakritผมมาสายเพราะรถติดมากครับphom ma sai phrau rot tit mak khrapI'm late because the traffic was very bad.
- พิมล Pimonเข้าใจแล้วค่ะ ไม่เป็นไรนะkhao chai laew kha mai pen rai naI understand. It's okay.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritขอโทษจริงๆ ครับkho thot ching ching khrapI am truly sorry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “because” translations and entries เพราะ, เพราะว่า, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries เพราะ, เพราะว่า, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
