weil
Meaning and Usage
"Weil" is a subordinating conjunction in German, which means "because" in English. It is used to introduce the reason for something or to connect two clauses, indicating cause and effect.
Linguistic Analysis
"Weil" does not have a prefix, root, or suffix. It is derived from Middle High German and can be traced back to the Old High German word "wila," meaning "wile" or "time."
Comparisons between German and English
The German "weil" corresponds to the English "because." Both words are used to connect reasons or causes to consequences in a sentence.
Example Sentences
- Ich war müde, weil ich gestern spät aufgeblieben bin. (I was tired because I stayed up late yesterday.)
- Wir gehen nicht spazieren, weil es regnet. (We are not going for a walk because it's raining.)
Memory Tips
Associate "weil" with the English word "while" to remember that it introduces a cause-and-effect relationship in a sentence.
Additional Vocabulary
- Synonyms: denn, da, aufgrund
- Antonyms: obwohl, trotz
Gender and Plural (for nouns)
N/A
Conjugation (for verbs)
N/A