What is the Latin word for because?

The usual Latin words for “because” are quia, quandō̆, quandō̆quidem; also quoniam, prius. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“because” in Latin

quiabecause, due to the fact that, for; (the fact) that quandō̆"When?"; "When".; ever, at any time, at some time, some day (especially following sī, num or ne)quandō̆quidemsince, since indeed, seeing that, inasmuch as, because quoniamsince, forasmuch, inasmuch as, now that priuspreviously; before

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

because

quia (ὅτι,” because,” introducing the real and primary cause): qaoniam (ἐπεί, “since,” “as,” denoting the ground and occasion): quod (often of a supposed ground held by another as opposed to one perceived and held to be the true one by ourselves: with subjunctive, it often states a apparent ground, in connection with quia which introduces the real one. Hence quod is found with the suljunctive more frequently than quia, especially of past time. Quod refers more to the mind of the speaker or person referred to; quia to the thing itself): cum (subjunetive), quando, quandoquidem (PROP. “when,” are often = “since,” “as”: as siquidem also is). ☞ The clause is made more emphatic by an ideo or idcirco in the other clause: ideo - quod or quia (not quoniam): idcirco - quod or quoniam (less commonly quia). The clause with quod, qoia, may precede. Propterea quod or quia (close together): qui, quippe qui (with subjunctive; e.g., when we went to bed, I fell into a sounder sleepthan usual, because I had sat up late, ut cubitum discessimus, me, qui ad multam noctem vigilassem, artior, quam solebat, somnus amplexus est: the brightness of the sun is greater than that of fire, because it gives light to the immense world far and wide, solis candor illustrior quam ullus ignis, quippe qui immenso mundo tam longe lateque colluceat). Sometimes “because” is rendered by an ablative absolute: the ancient Romans wished for monarchy, because they had not yet experienced the sweetness of liberty, Romani veteres reguari volebant, libertatis dulcedine nondum experta. Sometimes “because” is rendered by a participle: he could take no part in the war, because he was preventedby illness, morbo impeditus bello interesse non potuit. Dionysius always burned his beard, because he durst not trust his head to a barber, Dionysius cultros tonsorios metuens candenti carbone sibi adurebat capillum. I can not, because I am engaged, per negotia mihi non licet.

Of a preventive cause, prae: to be scarcely heard, because of the noise, prae strepitu vix audiri.

Because of (as a preposition) is generally rendered by propter or ob: also ergo (on account of, following a genitive governed by it).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for because?: The usual Latin words for “because” are quia, quandō̆, quandō̆quidem; also quoniam, prius. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.