15.6 Parce que, Car, Puisque, Comme Language Lesson

15.6 Parce que, Car, Puisque, Comme
Language & Culture Lessons
"Because, since" and "like" are three very commonly used English words. We use them to reason and explain things. For
instance: "I got sunburn because I didn't wear a hat" or "I deserve a hug, since I came here for you."
There are four French equivalents that are very helpful to know. They're expressed as « parce que », « car », « puisque »
and « comme ».
Language Lesson
When and how do we use them?
The words « parce que », « car », « puisque » and « comme » have similar meanings and are generally used to draw
conclusions, or to give an explanation of the situation.
Parce Que
The first we are going to explain is « parce que » which means “because” - it introduces a cause, an explanation or a
motive and explains why the action is done.
Je t'ai fait un gâteau parce que je t'aime
I made you a cake because I love you
Tu as reçu cette médaille parce que tu es le meilleur.
You received this medal because you are the best.
Ne me dis rien parce que je ne veux pas savoir.
Don‘t tell me anything because I don’t want to know.
Parce qu’il est tard, je vais rester ici
Because it’s late, I am going to stay here
Car
The next is « car » and it is used mainly in formal and written French. It cannot start a sentence. « Car » indicates a
reason or a judgement. It means because or for.
Je ne vais plus au ski car je suis trop âgé.
I don’t go skiing anymore because I am too old.
Il n’habite pas sur la côte car c’est trop cher.
He doesn’t live on the coast because it is too expensive.
Nous ne faisons plus de sport car nous avons mal aux
pieds.
We don’t play sport anymore because our feet are
hurting.
Ne mets pas tes coudes à table car c’est mal poli
Don’t put your elbows on the table because it’s not polite
Puisque
« Puisque » means since or because. It can start the sentence and give an explanation of the situation.
Puisque vous n’avez pas fait vos devoirs vous serez puniSince you haven’t done your homework you will be
punished.
Puisqu’ils vous ont désobéi vous êtes mécontent.
Since they disobeyed you, you must be unhappy.
Il ne reste plus de dessert puisque vous êtes en retard.
There is no dessert left since you are late.
Puisque c’est comme ça, je rentre à la maison !
Since it’s the way it is, I go back home!
Comme
And the last one is « comme » ; it generally starts the phrase and associates the consequence and its result. It generally
means 'as' or 'since'.
Comme il ne fait pas beau nous restons à la maison.
As the weather is not good we will stay at home.
Comme tu as été gentille tu pourras manger du gâteau.
As you were good you can have a piece of cake.
Comme ils viennent à la maison, ils dormiront dans la
chambre d’ami.
Since they are staying at home, they will sleep in the
spare room.
Comme tu es là, tu peux m’aider !
Since you are here you can help me!
Culture
Idioms
Idioms are particular to every language and there are expressions that cannot be translated literally without an
explanation. In France some regions will have their own idioms, for example « tirer le diable par la queue » which
translates literally as “pulling the devil ‘s tail” meaning you’re antagonizing. Another expression is « cela m’a coûté
la peau des fesses » which literally means "it cost me the skin of my buttocks" which can be translate as "it cost me
a fortune" or "it cost me an arm and a leg".
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