How to Give Reasons in Italian: Using perché and siccome for Simple Opinions
Learn to support a basic opinion in Italian with perché (because) and siccome (since), including word order, punctuation and common elementary-level patterns.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you give an opinion in Italian, you often need to add a reason. The two most useful connectors at elementary level are perché ('because') and siccome ('since' or 'as'). They are not interchangeable in every position: perché normally introduces the reason after the opinion, while siccome normally introduces the reason before the opinion. This lesson teaches those two patterns, the punctuation and word order that go with them, and a few fixed phrases such as secondo me ('in my opinion') that make your reason sound natural. You will practise short, clear sentences rather than long arguments.
By the end, you can…
- give a simple opinion in Italian and add a reason with perché.
- introduce a reason at the beginning of a sentence with siccome and keep the correct word order.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Secondo me, questo libro è interessante perché parla di storia.
In my opinion, this book is interesting because it talks about history.
sehn-TOH meh, KWEH-stoh LEE-broh eh een-teh-reh-SSAHN-teh per-KEH PAR-lah dee STOH-ryah
The basic pattern: opinion first, then perché plus the reason. Use secondo me to mark the opinion clearly.
Siccome piove, resto a casa.
Since it is raining, I am staying at home.
see-KOHN-keh PYOH-veh, REH-stoh ah KAH-zah
Siccome introduces the reason first. A comma usually separates the reason from the main clause.
Non mi piace, perché è troppo caro.
I do not like it, because it is too expensive.
nohn mee PYAH-cheh, per-KEH eh TROHP-poh KAH-roh
A comma before perché is common when the reason is added as an afterthought.
Siccome non ho tempo, non vengo alla festa.
Since I do not have time, I am not coming to the party.
see-KOHN-keh nohn oh TEHM-poh, nohn VEHN-goh ahl-lah FEH-stah
Siccome can introduce a negative reason. The main clause also stays negative here.
Penso che sia giusto perché tutti possono partecipare.
I think it is right because everyone can take part.
PEHN-soh keh SEE-ah JOO-stoh per-KEH TOOT-tee POHSS-soh-noh par-teh-chee-PAH-reh
A slightly more formal opinion phrase. Penso che takes the subjunctive sia, so learn this as a fixed chunk at this level.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The most common elementary pattern is: opinion + perché + reason. For example, 'Mi piace questa città perché è vivace' ('I like this city because it is lively'). Perché never changes form. If you want to put the reason first, use siccome instead: 'Siccome è vivace, mi piace questa città'. Do not begin a sentence with perché to mean 'since'; that is a common interference from English. Siccome is followed by a normal indicative verb: 'Siccome ho fame, mangio' ('Since I am hungry, I am eating').
When to use it
Use perché when the reason comes after the opinion, which is the neutral, most frequent order in conversation: 'Non vado perché sono stanco' ('I am not going because I am tired'). Use siccome when you want to present the reason as known background before the main point: 'Siccome sono stanco, non vado'. In writing, a comma often follows the siccome clause. In speech, a short pause does the same job. Perché is also the question word 'why?', so context and intonation matter: 'Perché non vieni?' means 'Why are you not coming?', while 'Non vengo perché sono stanco' means 'I am not coming because I am tired'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Secondo me, questa mostra è bella perché è originale.
In my opinion, this exhibition is good because it is original.sehn-TOH meh, KWEH-stah MOH-strah eh BEL-lah per-KEH eh oh-ree-jee-NAH-lehSiccome è lontana, però, non so se andrò.
Since it is far away, though, I do not know if I will go.see-KOHN-keh eh lohn-TAH-nah, peh-ROH, nohn soh seh ahn-DROHCapisco. È interessante perché ci sono artisti nuovi.
I understand. It is interesting because there are new artists.kah-PEES-koh. eh een-teh-reh-SSAHN-teh per-KEH chee SOH-noh ar-TEES-tee NWOH-veeSiccome ho poco tempo, forse vado domenica.
Since I have little time, maybe I will go on Sunday.see-KOHN-keh oh POH-koh TEHM-poh, FOHR-seh VAH-doh doh-MEH-nee-kahA little context goes a long way
Perché is standard everywhere in Italy and in Italian-speaking Switzerland. Siccome is also standard, but it sounds slightly more planned or written than perché; in casual speech, speakers often simply put the reason after perché or use 'dato che' in a similar way. In very informal conversation, 'siccome' can feel a little formal, so do not worry if you hear it less often than perché.
One thing to watch for
Beginning a sentence with perché to mean 'since', as in 'Perché piove, resto a casa'.
Try this instead: Use siccome when the reason comes first: 'Siccome piove, resto a casa'. Keep perché for the reason that follows the opinion: 'Resto a casa perché piove'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Combine into one sentence with perché: 'Non mangio la carne.' + 'Sono vegetariano.'
Show a sample answer
Non mangio la carne perché sono vegetariano.
Perché joins the opinion or statement to the reason that follows it. 'Non mangio la carne, perché sono vegetariano' with a comma is also acceptable.
2Rewrite with siccome: 'Non vado al cinema perché non ho soldi.'
Show a sample answer
Siccome non ho soldi, non vado al cinema.
Siccome moves the reason to the front and the main clause follows, usually after a comma. The meaning stays the same.
3Which word fits? '___ è tardi, torno a casa.'
Show a sample answer
Siccome
The reason comes first, so siccome is needed. Perché would be wrong at the beginning here; it would sound like the question word 'why'.
Put the reason after the opinion with perché, and put the reason first with siccome. Keep the verb in the normal indicative form and use a comma after the siccome clause.
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