Causal conjunctions (kako)

You likely already know the word kako as "how". However, when placed at the beginning of a sentence, kako often acts as a causal conjunction meaning "as" or "since". It introduces a background cause, followed by a comma and the main action or effect.

This structure is very common for setting the scene:

As the blizzard started, the mountaineers fought against the wind.
Kako je počela mećava, alpinisti su se borili protiv vjetra.

Notice how kako sets up the reason for the main action in these unexpected situations:

Since the glacier was full of danger, we slowed down.
Kako je ledenjak bio pun opasnosti, usporili smo.
As a rockfall happened, the climbers stopped.
Kako se dogodio odron, penjači su stali.

Cause and Effect

The basic formula is always Kako + [background cause], + [main effect]. Here are a few more examples of a mountaineering team adjusting their plans due to severe conditions:

Since he got frostbite, the helicopter rescued him.
Kako je dobio promrzline, helikopter ga je spasio.
Since the altitude above sea level was huge, the rescue team was worried.
Kako je nadmorska visina bila ogromna, spasilački tim je bio zabrinut.
Since the rockfall destroyed the trail that we made, we crossed the glacier.
Kako je odron uništio stazu što smo je napravili, prešli smo preko ledenjaka.
Since the altitude above sea level grew, the climbers gave up.
Kako je nadmorska visina rasla, penjači su odustali.
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