sanhi
sanhî with stress marks
cause; reason
Usage Note
Sanhi is the formal or literary word for the cause or reason behind an event — used in legal, academic, and journalistic writing as well as formal speech. In everyday Tagalog, dahil (because) or dahilan (reason) are more common, but sanhi appears regularly in formal documents, news articles, and school compositions.
Examples
" Ano ang sanhi nito? "
Natural Translation
What is the cause of this?
Literal Translation
What the cause of-this?
" Ano ang sanhi ng sunog? "
Natural Translation
What is the cause of the fire?
Literal Translation
What the cause of fire?
" Hanggang ngayon ay patuloy pang iniimbestigahan ng mga awtoridad ang tunay na sanhi ng malagim na aksidente sa highway. "
Natural Translation
Until now, the authorities are still investigating the true cause of the tragic accident on the highway.
Literal Translation
Until now is continuing still being-investigated by the authorities the true that cause of tragic that accident on highway.
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