Because reasons
Meaning: A humorous non-explanation given when you don't want to justify something.
Because reasons is used when the actual explanation is either too complicated, too embarrassing, or simply doesn't exist. It's a playful refusal to elaborate. The humor lies in its deliberate vagueness — treating 'reasons' as a sufficient answer to 'why?'
Examples
- Why are you eating cereal at midnight?' 'Because reasons. 你为什么半夜吃麦片?''因为有原因。¿Por qué estás comiendo cereales a medianoche?' 'Porque razones.「なんで夜中にシリアル食べてるの?」「理由があるんだよ。」왜 자정에 시리얼 먹고 있어?' '이유가 있어.
- I bought another houseplant. Because reasons. 我又买了一盆绿植。因为有原因。Me he comprado otra planta. Porque razones.また観葉植物買っちゃった。理由があるの。또 화분 샀어. 이유가 있거든.
- She can't come tonight. Because reasons. Don't ask. 她今晚来不了。因为有原因。别问。No puede venir esta noche. Porque razones. No preguntes.彼女は今夜来れないって。理由があるんだって。聞かないで。그녀 오늘 밤 못 온대. 이유가 있다나. 묻지 마.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: texting, social media, casual conversation
Tone: evasive, humorous
✓ Do Say
- Because reasons.因为有原因。Porque razones.理由があるから。이유가 있어.
- I did it because reasons, okay?我这么做是因为有原因,行了吧?Lo hice porque razones, ¿vale?理由があってやったの、いいでしょ?이유가 있어서 그랬어, 됐지?
✗ Don't Say
- Don't use when someone genuinely needs an explanation — it can sound dismissive in serious contexts当别人真的需要一个解释时不要用——在严肃场合会显得不把人当回事No lo uses cuando alguien necesita genuinamente una explicación — puede sonar despectivo en contextos serios本当に説明が必要な場面では使わないこと——真剣な文脈では突き放した印象を与える진짜 설명이 필요한 상황에서는 쓰지 말 것——진지한 맥락에서는 무시하는 것처럼 들릴 수 있다
Origin & History
Emerged from Tumblr and internet culture around 2012-2014. Part of the millennial trend of using deliberately incomplete or grammatically odd phrases for comedic effect, similar to 'because science' and 'because internet.'
Cultural Context
Era: 2012-2016
Generation: Millennials
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from Millennial Slang
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free