Perché = Because (Cause)
You already know this one!
- Ho chiamato il taxi, perché ero in ritardo.
I called a cab because I was late. - Non sono andata in spiaggia, perché faceva freddo.
I didn’t go to the beach because it was cold.
Perciò = Therefore / For That Reason / So (Consequence)
Now flip the sentence. When you give the consequence, not the cause, use perciò:
- Ero in ritardo, perciò ho chiamato un taxi.
I was late, so I called a cab. - Faceva freddo, perciò non sono andata in spiaggia.
It was cold, therefore I didn’t go to the beach.
Tip for Students
Both perciò and perché are invariable — they don’t change form.
They’re always followed by a verb.
And remember:
❌ Perciò ho chiamato un taxi ero in ritardo
✅ Ero in ritardo, perciò ho chiamato un taxi
Word order matters!
Perché vs. Perciò: What’s the Difference?
| Expression | Explains… | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Perché | The cause (why something happened) | Ho chiamato il taxi, perché ero in ritardo |
| Perciò | The consequence (what happened as a result) | Ero in ritardo, perciò ho chiamato il taxi |
Read more: Siccome vs. Perché: How to Use Them
