Explaining "Because" with لأنّ
To explain the reason for something happening, use the conjunction لأنّ (because). It connects a main statement to the reason behind it, which is especially useful when troubleshooting issues.
| because | لأنli'anna |
An important rule in Arabic is that لأنّ must always be followed directly by either a noun or an attached pronoun. You cannot put a verb immediately after it.
When the reason introduces a specific noun, simply place that noun right after لأنّ.
| The internet is slow because the signal is weak. | الإنترنت بطيء لأن الإشارة ضعيفة.al-internetu batee'un li'anna al-ishârata da'eefatun. |
| The connection is fast because the device is new. | الاتصال سريع لأن الجهاز جديد.al-ittisâlu sarî'un li'anna al-jihâza jadîdun. |
| There is a problem in the connection because the network is weak. | هناك مشكلة في الاتصال لأن الشبكة ضعيفة.hunâka mushkilatun fî alittisâli li'anna ashshabakata daîfatun |
Using لأنّ with Attached Pronouns
Often, you have already mentioned the subject and just want to say "because it..." or "because he...". Instead of using an independent pronoun, attach a pronoun suffix directly to the end of لأنّ.
For example, to refer back to a masculine noun like حاسوب (computer) or اتصال (connection), attach the masculine pronoun suffix (ـه) to make لأنّه (because it/he).
| The computer stopped because it is without a connection. | توقف الحاسوب لأنه بدون اتصال.tawaqqafa al-ḥâsûbu li'annahu bidûni ittiṣâl |
| Did the connection stop because it is weak? | هل توقف الاتصال لأنه ضعيف؟hal tawaqqafa al-ittisâlu li'annahu da'îfun? |
