kāpēc
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why, for what reason, what for, why, why bother
/kaːˈpɛːts/
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A Latvian why-word for asking about causes and purposes, also used to introduce reason clauses and, colloquially, to connect a reason with its result.
Examples
Viņa jautāja, kāpēc biļetes kļuvušas dārgākas.
She asked why the tickets had become more expensive.
Tas ir iemesls, kāpēc mēs gaidām ārā.
That is the reason why we are waiting outside.
Cena pieauga, kāpēc pircēji vilcinājās.
The price rose, so buyers hesitated.
Logs bija vaļā, kāpēc istabā kļuva auksti.
The window was open, so the room became cold.
Ceļš bija slidens, kāpēc braucām lēnāk.
The road was slippery, so we drove more slowly.
Similar words
kamdēļ gan
kādēļ
tādēļ
kālab
kādā nolūkā
kāda iemesla dēļ
kālab gan
kāda iemesla dēļ
kādēļ gan
jo
Meanings
Examples
Kāpēc tu kavējies?
Why are you late?
Kāpēc durvis ir vaļā?
Why is the door open?
Kāpēc bērni smejas?
Why are the children laughing?
Kāpēc šis lēmums tika pieņemts?
Why was this decision made?
Kāpēc mums jāgaida?
Why do we have to wait?
Similar words
kādēļ
kālab
kamdēļ
kāda iemesla dēļ
kādā nolūkā
Examples
Kāpēc steigties, ja vilciens vēl nav pienācis?
Why hurry if the train has not arrived yet?
Kāpēc gan lai viņa atteiktos no labas iespējas?
Why would she refuse a good opportunity?
Kāpēc maksāt vairāk, ja varam ietaupīt?
Why pay more if we can save money?
Kāpēc par to strīdēties visu vakaru?
Why argue about it all evening?
Kāpēc neizmēģināt vēlreiz?
Why not try again?
Similar words
kādēļ gan
kāpēc gan
kālab gan
kamdēļ gan
Examples
Es nezinu, kāpēc viņš klusē.
I do not know why he is silent.
Paskaidro, kāpēc sapulce tika pārcelta.
Explain why the meeting was moved.
Tas ir iemesls, kāpēc mēs gaidām ārā.
That is the reason why we are waiting outside.
Nav skaidrs, kāpēc sistēma nedarbojas.
It is not clear why the system is not working.
Viņa jautāja, kāpēc biļetes kļuvušas dārgākas.
She asked why the tickets had become more expensive.
Similar words
kādēļ
kālab
kāda iemesla dēļ
Examples
Ceļš bija slidens, kāpēc braucām lēnāk.
The road was slippery, so we drove more slowly.
Darbs ieilga, kāpēc tikšanās sākās vēlāk.
The work dragged on, so the meeting started later.
Viņš nebija sagatavojies, kāpēc atbildēja nedroši.
He was not prepared, so he answered uncertainly.
Logs bija vaļā, kāpēc istabā kļuva auksti.
The window was open, so the room became cold.
Cena pieauga, kāpēc pircēji vilcinājās.
The price rose, so buyers hesitated.
Etymology
Built from Latvian kā, the genitive of kas meaning “what,” and pēc, meaning “after” or “for.”
FAQ
kāpēc usually means “why,” asking for a reason, cause, or purpose.
Is kāpēc an adverb or a conjunction?
kāpēc is mainly an adverb in direct questions, but it also works like a conjunction when it introduces a reason clause.
What is the difference between kāpēc and tāpēc?
kāpēc asks “why,” while tāpēc answers with “therefore” or “for that reason.”
Can kāpēc mean “because”?
A colloquial connective use can be close to “because” or “therefore,” but standard modern Latvian usually prefers jo or tāpēc.
What are close Latvian synonyms of kāpēc?
Close synonyms include kādēļ, kālab, and kamdēļ, with kādēļ the most neutral alternative.
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