want en omdat

[Iouri]

What is the difference between want and omdat as conjunctions of 2 sentences. Both of them are translated as because, but omdat requires the inversion and want does not. Do these these words mean the same? How to use them correctly?

Thank you

[Shazzy]

This is a tricky one. With omdat the verb goes to the end..... It is basically a matter of choice but there are some differences but the natives will answer you on that.

I have struggled with this one..... A lot of dutch people will say there is no difference but others seem to disagree. Listen to waht they all say and then make up your own mind.

Shazzy x

[Iouri]

ok, let's wait

[ngonyama]

Omdat corresponds more with "because", whereas "want" corresponds more with "for" as in:

For he is a jolly good fellow, etc. -- Want hij is een (toffe kerel of zo?)

But in English "for" is not nearly as common as "want" is in Dutch

Want provides more of a further explanation/context rather than a reason/causality and the explanation clause is more independent in nature (which is why it is conjunctive rather than subjunctive and you have ordinary word order.)

Hij houdt van vechtsporten, want hij is een ex-militair. (Further elucidation/context)
Hij kon geen werk vinden, omdat hij een ex-militair was. (Causality)

But you are both right: the distinction is more of a nuance than anything else.

[Iouri]

Thank you

[inbox]

Normally, I always use omdat when saying because and want is more like for reasoning. But again, I am just a beginner

Kom we gaan naar de kantine. Want ik heb trek.
Ik ga naar de kantine omdat ik trek heb.