Grammar Basics
How to Say “because” in Macedonian
What Does “затоа што” Mean?
The Macedonian expression for “because” is затоа што (Latin: zatoa što). It belongs to the category of core Macedonian grammar words and structures. Macedonian belongs to the South Slavic language family and is the official language of North Macedonia, with about 1.5 million speakers. Because it is written phonetically in a 31-letter Cyrillic alphabet, every word is pronounced exactly as it is spelled — a big head start for new learners.
Grammar note: The shorter "зашто" is also common, and also means "why".
How to Pronounce затоа што
затоа што is pronounced “zatoa što” — the transliteration maps each Cyrillic letter to a predictable Latin equivalent, with no silent letters or irregular spellings to watch out for. Stress in Macedonian generally falls on the third-to-last syllable in longer words, though for shorter words and phrases it often falls on the first syllable. Tap “Play Audio” above to listen to the pronunciation.
Still sounding out the Cyrillic? Hear every letter in the 31-letter Macedonian alphabet.
When to Use “затоа што”
This word is a foundational piece of Macedonian grammar. Understanding core grammar words is essential for building sentences and understanding how Macedonian communicates meaning. Unlike English, Macedonian marks definiteness through noun suffixes rather than separate articles.
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "because" in Macedonian?
"because" in Macedonian is затоа што. It is pronounced "zatoa što" — Macedonian is a phonetic language so every letter maps to a consistent sound.
How do you pronounce затоа што?
затоа што is pronounced "zatoa što". Macedonian uses the Cyrillic alphabet but is fully phonetic — once you know the letters, you can pronounce any word correctly. Tap the “Play Audio” button on this page to hear it pronounced.
Is "because" formal or informal in Macedonian?
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
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Practice “затоа што” with Interactive Exercises
OpaLingo's free interactive lessons include audio for every word, flashcards, and quizzes to help you remember core Macedonian grammar words and structures for good. No account required — start learning immediately.