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Activities: Reason and cause: How to say “because” in Japanese?

By: Masaru Mito

Activity 1: Complete the sentences

Complete the following sentences using 〜から while appropriately changing the tense if necessary.
  1. Reason: ある transcribed arumeaning to have

    来週試験が から、今週はたくさん勉強します。
    Raishū shiken ga ... kara, konshū wa takusan benkyō shimasu.
    Because I have an exam next week, I will study a lot this week.

  2. Reason: ある transcribed arumeaning to have

    来週試験が から、今週はたくさん勉強します。
    Raishū shiken ga ... kara, konshū wa takusan benkyō shimasu.
    Because I have an exam next week, I will study a lot this week.

  3. Reason: 見る transcribed mirumeaning to watch

    この映画はもうから、他の映画を見ませんか。
    Kono eiga wa mō ... kara, hoka no eiga o mimasen ka.
    Because I already watched this movie, why don't we watch another movie?

  4. Reason: 行く transcribed ikumeaning to go

    • A: 週末一緒に出かけませんか。
      Shūmatsu issho ni dekakemasen ka?
      Would you like to go out together this weekend?

    • B: すみません。週末は弟の結婚式に から…。
      Sumimasen. Shūmatsu wa otōto no kekkonshiki ni ... kara…
      I'm sorry. Because I'm going to my younger brother's wedding this weekend...

Activity 2: Complete the sentences

Complete the following sentences using 〜ので while appropriately changing the tense if necessary.
  1. Reason: 休み transcribed yasumimeaning day off

    今日は仕事がので、出かけようと思います。
    Kyō wa shigoto ga ... node, dekakeyō to omoimasu.
    Since I have a day off from work today, I'm thinking of going out.

  2. Reason: 終わる transcribed owarumeaning to finish

    ミーティングが早くので、今日は帰宅します。
    Mītingu ga hayaku ... node, kyō wa kitaku shimasu.
    Since the meeting finished early, I will go home today.

  3. Reason: 大切 transcribed taisetumeaning important

    この資料はので、なくさないで下さい。
    Kono shiryō wa ... node, nakusanaide kudasai.
    Since this document is important, please don't lose it.

  4. Reason: 行く transcribed ikumeaning to go

    • A: このクーポン、まだ使えますか。
      Kono kūpon, mada tsukaemasu ka?
      Is this coupon still valid?

    • B: ええ。 ので…。
      Ē. ... node…
      Yes. Since it's (valid) until next week...

Activity 3: Multiple choice

Choose the appropriate one.

  1. 海が好きだ       、海の近くに住みたいです。
    Umi ga suki da ... , umi no chikaku ni sumitai desu.
    I like the ocean, so I want to live near it.
    Select your answer
    • A: どうして医者になりたいんですか。
      Dōshite isha ni naritai n desu ka?
      Why do you want to become a doctor?

    • B: たくさんの人を助けたい        です。
      Takusan no hito o tasuke tai ... desu.
      It’s because I want to help many people.
      Select your answer
  2. このドラマが人気があるのは、ストーリーがおもしろい       です。
    Kono dorama ga ninki ga aru no wa, sutōrī ga omoshiroi ... desu.
    The reason this drama is popular is because the story is interesting.
    Select your answer
  3. 後で荷物が届くだろう      、受け取っておいて下さい。
    Ato de nimotsu ga todoku darō ... , uketotte oite kudasai.
    The package will arrive later, so please keep it for me.
    Select your answer
  4. 明日お祭りがある       、一緒に行かない?
    Ashita omatsuri ga aru ... , issho ni ikanai?
    There's a festival tomorrow, so why don't we go together?
    Select your answer
  5. 電車が来ない      、ちょっと遅れます。
    Densha ga konai ... , chotto okuremasu.
    Because the train isn't coming, I'll be a little late.
    Select your answer
  6. 明日から夏休みです。      、多くの人が旅行に行くと思います。
    Ashita kara natsuyasumi desu. ... , ōku no hito ga ryokō ni iku to omoimasu.
    Summer vacation is starting tomorrow. So, I think many people will go on trips.
    Select your answer
    • A: 家族で出かける予定だったんだけど、子供が風邪をひいちゃって…。
      Kazoku de dekakeru yotei datta n da kedo, kodomo ga kaze o hiichatte...
      Our family had plans to go out, but our child caught a cold...

    • B: 大変!      
      Taihen! ... ?
      Oh no! And then?
      Select your answer
    • A: 来週行くことにしたんだ。
      Raishū iku koto ni shita n da.
      We've decided to go next week.

    • 母: パスポートはある?
      Haha: Pasupōto wa aru?
      Mother: Do you have your passport?

    • 子供: うん。かばんに入れたよ。
      Kodomo: Un. Kaban ni ireta yo.
      Child: Yes. I put it in my bag.

    • 母: 本当に?ちゃんと確認したの?
      Haha: Hontō ni? Chanto kakunin shita no?
      Mother: Really? Did you double-check?

    • 子供:       、入れたって言ったでしょ!
      Kodomo: ... , ireta tte itta desho!
      Child: I told you I put it in, didn't I?
      Select your answer