21 December 2025
How to talk about the Cause of something in German
It’s what sets events in motion, explains why things happen, and shows up in everything from scientific studies to apologies. In German, it’s die Ursache. This is your German word of the day, and it’s essential for understanding not just what happened - but why.
The noun Ursache means cause or reason, and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. From casual conversation to academic research and breaking news, this word helps you make sense of consequences.
It’s a feminine noun, so we say die Ursache (still unsure about gender? This video lesson makes it easy to learn and remember).
Pronunciation
Ursache is pronounced [OOR-zah-khuh].
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Ur has a long German u; the following r is often vocalized,
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sach - “zakh,” with the throaty ch from “Bach,”
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e pronounced softly, like “uh”
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Stress is on the first syllable: UR-sache
It sounds thoughtful - like you’re getting to the bottom of something.
Example sentences:
Die genaue Ursache ist noch unklar.The exact cause is still unclear.
Stress war die Hauptursache für seine Kopfschmerzen.Stress was the main cause of his headaches.
Nuance and usage tips
Ursache refers to the underlying reason for something. It can be used:
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Scientifically -Ursache und Wirkung - cause and effectdie Ursache eines Problems erforschen - to investigate the cause of a problem
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Casually or practically -Was ist die Ursache für den Lärm? - What’s causing the noise?
You’ll also hear:
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Hauptursache - main cause
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Ursachenanalyse - root cause analysis
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eine Ursache angeben - to give a reason
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ohne erkennbare Ursache - without an obvious cause
Keine Ursache! - You’re welcome! / Don’t mention it!
How does this word come up in real conversations?
In daily life, Ursache comes up when explaining problems, giving feedback, or making medical or technical reports:
“Wir suchen noch nach der Ursache des Fehlers.” - We’re still looking for the cause of the error.“Gibt es eine bekannte Ursache für die Beschwerden?” - Is there a known cause for the symptoms?
It can be neutral, polite, or scientific - depending on tone.
Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)
Jonas: Der Fernseher geht nicht mehr.Ella: Was ist denn die Ursache?Jonas: Keine Ahnung. Vielleicht ein Kabelproblem.Ella: Lass uns mal nachsehen.
Jonas: The TV isn’t working anymore.Ella: What’s the cause?Jonas: No idea. Maybe a cable issue.Ella: Let’s go check it out.
Grammatical case examples:
Nominative:Die Ursache liegt tief im System.The cause lies deep in the system.
Accusative:Ich kenne die Ursache nicht.I don’t know the cause.
Dative:Mit der Ursache beschäftigt sich ein Experte.An expert is dealing with the cause.
Genitive:Die Analyse der Ursache dauert an.The analysis of the cause is ongoing.
Feminine case pattern: die, die, der, der
Word variations and language tidbits
Helpful collocations:
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Hauptursache - main cause
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Ursachenforschung - cause analysis / investigation
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Krankheitsursache - cause of illness
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Brandursache - cause of fire
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Unfallursache - cause of accident
Usage note: Ursache usually identifies a cause. Grund is broader and can identify a cause, motive or justification, so the best choice depends on context.
📘 Duden entry🎥 Want to make German vocabulary click for good? Our free video course covers the top 1000 nouns - with visual examples, grammar tips, and tricks that stick.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?Do you know what Vater means? Whether he’s strict or silly, he probably helped you learn your first word.What about Vampir? That one only comes out when the lights go down…
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