Expressing Cause: "Din cauza" and "Din pricina"
To say "because of" or "due to" in Romanian, use the compound prepositions din cauza or din pricina. They mean the exact same thing and can be used interchangeably, though din cauza is much more common in everyday speech.
Crucially, these prepositions require the noun that follows them to be in the Genitive case. Since we usually say "because of the [something]", you will need to apply the definite Genitive endings to the noun.
Masculine and Neuter Nouns
For masculine and neuter nouns, the definite Genitive ending is -lui. It attaches to the base form of the noun (replacing the standard definite article -ul or -le).
| We are late because of the construction site. | Întârziem din cauza șantierului. |
| The delay is because of the traffic jam. | Întârzierea este din pricina blocajului. |
Feminine Nouns
For feminine nouns, the definite Genitive form typically ends in -ei or -ii.
| I want to avoid the commute because of the congestion. | Vreau să evit naveta din cauza aglomerației. |
| Because of the diversion, the alternative route is long. | Din pricina devierii, ruta alternativă este lungă. |
Discussing Delays and Detours
Traffic, construction, and congestion provide plenty of real-world opportunities to practice these prepositions. Notice how the Genitive case applies to the obstacles causing the delay, whether you are taking a detour (un ocol) or trying an alternative route.
| We make a detour because of the traffic jam. | Facem un ocol din cauza blocajului. |
| I avoid the center because of the congestion. | Evit centrul din pricina aglomerației. |
| I start to hate the commute because of the construction site. | Încep să urăsc naveta din cauza șantierului. |