Sellepärast

Sellepärast is an Estonian word meaning "for that reason" or "therefore." It functions as a conjunctive adverb that marks a cause‑and‑effect relationship between two clauses, signaling a justification or consequence. It can appear at the start of a sentence or within one, and it is commonly used in both spoken and written Estonian.

Etymology and form: The word is a compound of the demonstrative pronoun selle ("that") and the postposition pärast ("after"). It is written as a single word and does not inflect for number or case; its role is primarily connective, linking a preceding statement to a following consequence.

Usage and examples: Sellepärast is versatile in position. For example: "Ta oli haige; sellepärast ei tulnud ta tööle." or "Sellepärast tuleb meil plaani muuta." It can also introduce a subordinate clause with et: "Ta jäi koju sellepärast, et ta oli haige." In practice, the phrase is neutral and widely accepted in everyday Estonian, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Synonyms and nuance: Common alternatives include seetõttu, selle tõttu, and sel põhjusel. Seetõttu tends to be a bit more formal, while sellepärast is balanced and versatile. Sellepärast emphasizes the causal reason expressed by the preceding statement and is typically used to connect directly to the following clause.

Overall, sellepärast is a staple connective in Estonian, useful for concise expression of cause and effect in a wide range of registers.