cause
gb/kˈɔz/ us/kˈɔz/
A2
English
~ 1100
ok, okoz, ügy
NOUN
A2
1
ok
A2
Usage pattern:
the cause of [something]
The police are still investigating the cause of the fire.
A rendőrség még mindig vizsgálja a tűz okát.
Poor maintenance was the main cause of the accident.
A baleset fő oka a rossz karbantartás volt.
Stress can be a cause of many health problems.
Scientists are trying to find the cause of climate change.
Learner examples
The rain was the cause of the flood.
Az eső volt az árvíz oka.
Smoking is a cause of lung disease.
A dohányzás a tüdőbetegségek egyik oka.
The cause of the noise was a broken machine.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'cause' with 'reason' in formal writing; 'cause' often relates to direct origin, while 'reason' can be broader.
Meaning
Reason for an event or action
Collocations
main cause
|root cause
|common cause
|underlying cause
|direct cause
Synonyms
reason (More general; may not imply direct responsibility or origin.)
|
source (Focuses on the starting point of something, often physical or abstract.)
Antonyms
effect (Refers to the result rather than the origin of an event.)
Themes
daily life
|science
|news
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The reason why something happens.
A person, thing, or situation that brings about a result or makes something happen.
VERB
A2
2
okoz
B1
Usage pattern:
to cause [something]
The heavy rain caused flooding in the area.
A heves esőzés áradásokat okozott a térségben.
His careless words caused her great pain.
Meggondolatlan szavai nagy fájdalmat okoztak neki.
The delay was caused by technical problems.
Lack of sleep can cause serious health issues.
Learner examples
Smoking can cause cancer.
A dohányzás rákot okozhat.
Loud music can cause ear pain.
A hangos zene fülfájást okozhat.
Rain can cause traffic problems.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'cause' for positive events; while possible, it is more often used for negative outcomes.
Meaning
Make something happen
Collocations
cause damage
|cause trouble
|cause harm
|cause a problem
Synonyms
bring about (Often used for gradual or complex results.)
|
provoke (Implies causing a strong reaction, often emotional or physical.)
Antonyms
prevent (Means to stop something from happening before it starts.)
Themes
daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something happen.
To make something occur, especially something bad or unwanted.
NOUN
B1
3
ügy
B1
Usage pattern:
support [a/the] cause
She has dedicated her life to the cause of human rights.
Életét az emberi jogok ügyének szentelte.
Many volunteers joined the cause to protect the environment.
Sok önkéntes állt a környezetvédelem ügye mellé.
They donated money to the cause of education reform.
Learner examples
We work for the cause of peace.
A béke ügyéért dolgozunk.
He gave money to the cause of helping children.
Pénzt adott a gyermekek megsegítésének ügyére.
She fights for the cause of clean water.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this meaning with 'reason'; here it refers to an aim or principle, not an explanation.
Meaning
Goal or principle people support
Collocations
fight for a cause
|support a cause
|dedicate oneself to a cause
Synonyms
movement (Emphasizes organized group action toward a goal.)
|
mission (Implies a moral or purposeful duty.)
Antonyms
opposition (Refers to active resistance against a goal or principle.)
Themes
politics
|charity
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A goal or idea that people work for or believe in.
An aim, principle, or movement that people support and work for, especially in politics or charity.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cause
IPA
GB/kˈɔz/
US/kˈɔz/
Syllables & stress
cause (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (cause)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: cause
- Plural: cause, causes
Verb
- Base: cause
- 3rd Person Singular: causes
- Present Participle: causing
- Past: caused
Word family
Expressions
cause trouble
1/kˈɔz tɹˈʌbəl/
fixed phrase
Create problems for others
To do something that makes problems for other people.
Examples
- He was always causing trouble at school.
- Don't cause trouble for your parents while they're away.
just cause
1/d͡ʒˈʌst kˈɔz/
fixed phrase
formal
Fair and legal reason for action
A good and fair reason, often in law or employment situations.
Examples
- An employee can only be fired for just cause.
- The protest was held with just cause.
lost cause
1/lˈɔst kˈɔz/
idiom
Goal with no chance of success
Something that has no hope of succeeding.
Examples
- Trying to fix that old car is a lost cause.
- They knew the campaign was a lost cause but continued anyway.
root cause
1/ɹˈut kˈɔz/
fixed phrase
Most basic reason for problem
The main reason why something happens, not just the surface problem.
Examples
- We need to find the root cause of the error.
- Poverty is often the root cause of crime.