In Japanese, you’ll most often hear “because” translated using either から transcribed kara or ので transcribed node. Like “because,” these words can mark a reason or the cause of a situation, but unlike “because” they follow the phrase that they mark. Also, in Japanese, the reason or cause always comes before the result!
- reasonスポーツは楽しいから、好きです。Transcription: Supōtsu wa tanoshii kara, suki desu.Translation: Because sports are fun, I like them.
- cause毎日勉強したので、テストはよかったです。Transcription: Mainichi benkyō shita node, tesuto wa yokatta desu.Translation: Because I studied every day, I did well on the test.
In this post, we’ll introduce you to から transcribed kara and ので transcribed node, and go over how and when to use each one. We’ll also introduce you to a few alternative expressions like だから transcribed dakara and それで transcribed sorede which can also be used to discuss causes and reasons. Ready to have a look? Let’s dive right in!
How to use から [kara] for “because”?
When it means “because,” から transcribed kara is placed after the reason or cause in the plain form or polite form.
Reason / Cause
plain / polite
Result
When should you use plain or polite? It depends on the overall politeness of the sentence. There are three possibilities:
| Overall politeness | Reason | Result | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual | plain | plain | plain スポーツは楽しいから、好きだ。 Transcription: Supōtsu wa tanoshii kara, suki da. Translation: Because sports are fun, I like them. |
| Polite | plain | polite | plainpolite スポーツは楽しい から、好きです。 Transcription: Supōtsu wa tanoshii kara, suki desu. Translation: Because sports are fun, I like them. |
| Very polite | polite | polite | polite スポーツは楽しいですから、好きです。 Transcription: Supōtsu wa tanoshii desu kara, suki desu. Translation: Because sports are fun, I like them. |
When to use から [kara] for a reason or cause
You can use から transcribed kara in the following situations:
To mark the reason for or cause of an action or situation.
今週は仕事がたくさんあるから、忙しいです。Transcription: Konshū wa shigoto ga takusan aru kara, isogashii desu.Translation: Because I have a lot of work this week, I’m busy.In this use, the reason will usually be in the plain form.
The reason the speaker is making a judgement or decision.
日曜日だから、デパートは混んでいると思います。Transcription: Nichiyōbi da kara, depāto wa konde iru to omoimasu.Translation: Given it’s Sunday, I think the department store is crowded.This explains why the speaker thinks the department store is crowded.What the speaker thinks might be a reason for the listener to accept the request or invitation. You can think of this as the “necessary background information” for the request.
- すぐ返すから、パソコン貸してくれない？Transcription: Sugu kaesu kara, pasokon kashite kurenai?Translation: (Since) I'll return (it) right away, can you lend me your computer?
- 僕が運転するから、一緒に旅行に行こう。Transcription: Boku ga unten suru kara, issho ni ryokō ni ikō.Translation: (Since) I'll be driving, let’s go on a trip together.
How to use ので [node] for “because”
You can also use ので transcribed node as a more formal way to mark a reason or cause, like you might use “because.” To do this, simply place ので transcribed node after the plain form, or occasionally the polite form, of the reason. Make sure to put the result after the reason!
Reason / Cause
plain / (polite)
Result
When should you use the polite form? Use the polite form only when the result is polite and only in very formal situations. Usually the reason will be in the plain form.
When to use ので [node] for a reason or cause?
You’ll use ので transcribed node for a reason or cause in many of the same situations where you’ll use から transcribed kara, but ので transcribed node generally sounds a little more formal and softer.
The reason or cause of an action or situation:
このかばんは高いので、買いません。Transcription: Kono kaban wa takai node, kaimasen.Translation: Since this bag is expensive, I won't buy it.The reason the speaker is making a judgment or decision:
今日は雨なので、傘を持って行った方がいいです。Transcription: Kyō wa ame na node, kasa o motte itta hō ga ii desu.Translation: Since it's raining today, it’s better to bring an umbrella.What the speaker thinks might be a reason that the listener will accept a request or invitation (the “background information”):
この店の餃子はすごくおいしいので、食べてみて下さい。Transcription: Kono mise no gyōza wa sugoku oishii node, tabete mite kudasai.Translation: Since the dumplings at this restaurant are very delicious, please try eating them.
から [kara] vs. ので [node]: Are there cases where you can use one but not the other?
We saw above that, apart from their formality, から transcribed kara and and ので transcribed node are very similar in meaning and usage. However, there are some cases where you can use から transcribed kara but not ので transcribed node. Let’s look at a couple of these cases:
The reason is the complete sentence: “It’s because…”
If you want to form a complete sentence that does not include a result, you’ll need to use から transcribed kara, not ので transcribed node. You’ll often do this as a way to answer “why” questions, asked with どうして transcribed dōshite or the more formal なぜ transcribed naze.
Question:どうして日本語を勉強しているんですか。Transcription: Dōshite nihongo o benkyō shite iru n desu ka?Translation: Why are you studying Japanese?Answer:日本で働きたいからです。Transcription: Nihon de hatarakitai kara desu.Translation: It’s because I want to work in Japan.Sentences like this use the same structure as a state-of-being sentence, ending with だ transcribed da or です transcribed desu. Note, though, that から transcribed kara can only be attached to the plain form in this structure.
Reason
plain formからTranscription: karaだ / ですTranscription: da / desuWhen emphasizing the reason: “The reason… is that…”
When you want to emphasize the reason why something is happening, you’ll use the sentence structure below.
Result
plain formの / 理由Transcription: no / riyūはTranscription: waReason
plain formからTranscription: karaだ / ですTranscription: da / desuresultreasonこの店が人気がある理由は、安くておいしいからです。Transcription: Kono mise ga ninki ga aru riyū wa, yasukute oishii kara desu.The reason why this restaurant is popular is because it’s cheap and delicious.This structure makes the result into the topic of the sentence, which you can tell because it’s marked by the topic marker は transcribed wa. This means that the result is considered “old news,” something we’ve already mentioned or discussed.
Because the result is “old news,” you can use this structure when the reason is new and interesting information, by contrast.
Notice, though, that in this construction you can use から transcribed kara to mark the reason, but not ので transcribed node!
When the reason contains だろう [darō]
The ending だろう transcribed darō can be added to a phrase to indicate that the speaker is speculating or making a theory. If this comes at the end of the reason or cause, you can only follow it with から transcribed kara, not ので transcribed node.
今日は寒いだろうから、コートを持って行った方がいいですよ。Transcription: Kyō wa samui darō kara, kōto o motte itta hō ga ii desu yo.Translation: Since it’s probably cold today, it’s better to take a coat with you.When the “result” is an invitation, command, or decision in the plain form
Only から transcribed kara can mark the reason if the “result” part of the sentence is in the plain form and contains an invitation, command, or a statement about the speaker’s own decisions.
- commandこの資料は明日までだから、 急いで。Transcription: Kono shiryō wa ashita made da kara, isoide.Translation: This document is due tomorrow, so hurry up.
- invitationあのお店はおいしいから、今度一緒に行かない？Transcription: Ano omise wa oishii kara, kondo issho ni ikanai?Translation: That restaurant is delicious, so why don't we go together next time?
What are some other ways to mark a reason or cause?
Though から transcribed kara and ので transcribed node are the most basic ways to mark a reason or cause in Japanese, there are a few other phrases you can use this way too. To combine S1 and S2 into one sentence, we can also employ conjunctions used to express the cause-effect relationship between separate S1 and S2 sentences. In this section, we will cover two major words, だから transcribed dakara and それで transcribed sorede.
The differences between から／ので transcribed kara / node and だから／それで transcribed dakara / sorede are as follows:
だから／それで transcribed dakara / sorede are always used at the beginning of S2.
Unlike から／ので transcribed kara / node , だから／それで transcribed dakara / sorede cannot be used to provide necessary background information for S2.
だから／それで transcribed dakara / sorede can be used in both written and spoken languages, but in daily conversations, the sentence patterns of “S1 から／ので transcribed kara / node , S2” are more commonly used.
Let’s take a look at how to use them.
〜し [shi]: When there’s more than one reason
When you want to list multiple reasons or causes,, you’ll want to use the ending 〜し transcribed shi after each of them.
Often the final 〜し transcribed shi is replaced by から transcribed kara or ので transcribed node. Doing this doesn’t change the meaning.
You can use 〜し transcribed shi when giving only one reason, but this implies that there are probably other reasons as well. Compare:
- 天気がいいし、出かけよう。Transcription: Tenki ga ii shi, dekakeyō.Translation: Since the weather is nice and all, let’s go out.Implies that there are probably other reasons to go out that the listeners are already aware of.
- 天気がいいから、出かけよう。Transcription: Tenki ga ii kara, dekakeyō.Translation: Since the weather is nice, let's go out.This sounds like the nice weather is the only reason to go out.
For more on this ending, check out our post on 〜し!
だから [dakara] or それで [sore de]: To start a new sentence
If the reason and the result are in separate sentences, you can use だから transcribed dakara or それで transcribed sore de, where you might use a phrase like “because of that…” or “that’s why…” in English. Use the sentence that begins with the marker directly after the sentence that gives the reason.
- 最近仕事が忙しいです。だから、遊ぶ時間がありません。Transcription: Saikin shigoto ga isogashii desu. Dakara, asobu jikan ga arimasen.Translation: Recently, I’ve been busy with work. Because of that, I don’t have time to hang out.
- A社の車はよくなかったです。それで、今回はB社の車を買いました。Transcription: A-sha no kuruma wa yokunakatta desu. Sore de, konkai wa B-sha no kuruma o kaimashita.Translation: The car from Company A wasn’t good. That’s why, this time I bought a car from Company B.
Let’s look at some of the cases where you can use these, and what might lead you to choose one over the other.
When the result is factual
When the result is factual — something happened or will happen — you can use either だから transcribed dakara or それで transcribed sore de.
If the cause-and-effect is indirect, それで transcribed sore de tends to sound more natural.
最近ガソリンが高くなっています。それで、バスや自転車を使う人が増えました。Transcription: Saikin gasorin ga takaku natte imasu. Sore de, basu ya jitensha o tsukau hito ga fuemashita.Translation: Recently, gasoline prices have been increasing. Because of that, the number of people using buses or bicycles has increased.When the “result” is an invitation, command, opinion, etc.
If the result is not a statement of fact, but is instead something like an invitation, command, or opinion, you should always use だから transcribed dakara.
プラスチックのゴミが多くなっています。だから、リサイクルした方がいいです。Transcription: Purasuchikku no gomi ga ōku natte imasu. Dakara, risaikuru shita hō ga ii desu.Translation: There is a lot of plastic waste. That’s why it is better to recycle.We don’t use それで transcribed sore de if the result is not a factual statement.
To express agreement or understanding of a cause-and-effect relationship
In everyday conversation, you can use either だから transcribed dakara or それで transcribed sore de to express that you agree with or understand why some cause would lead to a particular effect.
To prompt someone else to explain the outcome
In casual conversation, you can use だから transcribed dakara or それで transcribed sore de to ask for more information, but the sense of each word is quite different.
Using だから transcribed dakara to ask for information sounds confrontational, like you’re frustrated that someone hasn’t already provided the information. You wouldn’t use this with a superior!
Speaker A:ごめん、宿題がたくさんあって…。Transcription: Gomen, shukudai ga takusan atte…Translation: Sorry, I had a lot of homework...Speaker B:だから？Transcription: Dakara?Translation: So?Speaker A:だから、パーティに行けなかったんだ。ごめん！Transcription: Dakara, pāti ni ikenakatta n da. Gomen!Translation: So I couldn't come to the party. I’m sorry!Using それで transcribed sore de to ask for more information sounds eager, like you are curious to know what happened next. Notice that, in this use, それ transcribed sore can sometimes be dropped.
Speaker A:昨日買い物に行ったんだけど、財布を家に忘れて…。Transcription: Kinō kaimono ni itta n da kedo, saifu o ie ni wasurete…Translation: I went shopping yesterday, but I forgot my wallet at home...Speaker B:えー！(それ) で？Transcription: Ē! (Sore) de?Translation: Oh no! And then?Speaker A:(それ) で、家まで帰らなきゃいけなかったんだよ。Transcription: (Sore) de, ie made kaeranakya ikenakatta n da yo.Translation: And then, I had to go back home.To show frustration
In casual conversation, you can use だから transcribed dakara to express that you’re frustrated that someone else doesn’t understand your reasoning. This use is also something you shouldn’t use with a superior, as it can be considered rude!
Speaker A:遅くなって、ごめん。道が混んでて…。Transcription: Osokunatte, gomen. Michi ga konde te…Translation: Sorry for being late. The road was busy...Speaker B:1時間も待ったんだよ。信じられない。Transcription: Ichi-jikan mo matta n da yo. Shinjirarenai.Translation: I waited for an hour. I cannot believe it.Speaker A:だから、道が混んでたんだよ！Transcription: Dakara, michi ga kondeta n da yo!Translation: I told you , the road was busy!
ために [tame ni]: A more formal alternative
In the most basic cases, where you’re describing the cause or reason for an action or situation you can use phrases with ため transcribed tame or ために transcribed tame ni. This expression is more formal than using から transcribed kara or ので transcribed node.
You can also use a version of this expression, そのために transcribed sono tame ni, at the start of a sentence, where you might otherwise use だから transcribed dakara. The に transcribed ni remains optional and the phrase still feels formal.
To sum up
We have covered how to express reasons using から transcribed kara and ので transcribed node, and also discussed alternative expressions such as だから transcribed dakara and それで transcribed sore de. Here is a quick summary:
In Japanese, you’ll most often use から transcribed kara or ので transcribed node to mark a reason or a cause.
から transcribed kara or ので transcribed node will most often follow the plain form. They can follow the polite form, but only in formal situations where the polite form is also used in the result.
ので transcribed node is softer and more formal than から transcribed kara, but there are some cases where you cannot use ので transcribed node.
There are a few other words and phrases that can also be used to mark a cause-and-effect relationship:
〜し transcribed shi → used to list multiple reasons for a situation
だから transcribed dakara → when the reason and result are in separate sentences
それで transcribed sore de → when the reason and result are in separate sentences (only when the result is factual!)
ために transcribed tame ni → a more formal alternative in restricted situations
Ready to practice? Check out our Japanese reason and cause activities to test your skills! Happy learning!
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