darum

Darum is a German adverb and conjunction meaning “therefore,” “for that reason,” or “that is why.” It is used to introduce a consequence or justification, and can often replace other linking words such as deshalb, deswegen, or daher in informal writing and speech. In many contexts darum emphasizes a direct result tied to a preceding clause.

Etymology and form: Darum combines da (there) with um, a fused form that historically signified around or about. The resulting particle has existed in German for centuries and functions as a single word, not as a prefix. It is written lowercase unless it starts a sentence.

Usage and nuance: Darum typically appears at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. It can connect two independent clauses or follow a preceding clause as a loose causal link. It is common in spoken German and everyday writing; in more formal contexts, one might prefer deshalb, deswegen, or daher. Examples: Es regnet. Darum bleibe ich zu Hause. Wir haben kein Geld, darum können wir uns keinen Urlaub leisten. Darum ist es wichtig, pünktlich zu sein. While versatile, darum may carry a slightly more conversational tone than its formal equivalents.

Translations and related terms: Equal in meaning to “therefore” and “that is why.” Related conjunctions and adverbs include deshalb, deswegen, daher, aus diesem Grund. See also: Gründe, Kausalsatz, Konnektoren.

Notes: Darum remains one word and is not capitalized except at sentence start. It is primarily a casual-to-neutral connector in German discourse.