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Because / from
Definition
The grammar pattern "〜から" is used to indicate the reason or cause for something. It is a conjunction that connects two clauses, with the first clause providing the reason and the second clause providing the result. The pattern can be used in both plain and polite forms. When used as a particle, "から" indicates the starting point or origin of something, such as a time or place.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plain form | Reason clause + から + Result clause | 雨が降っているから傘を持っていきます。 |
| Polite form | Reason clause + から + Result clause (polite form) | 雨が降っているから、傘を持っていきますね。 |
| Time/place | Time/place + から | 東京から来ました。 |
Examples
雨が降っているから傘を持っていきます。
Ame ga futte iru kara kasa o tsukitikimasu.
I will bring an umbrella because it's raining.
雨が降っている (it's raining) + から (because) + 傘を持っていきます (I will bring an umbrella)
疲れたから少し休みます。
Tsukareta kara sukoshi yasumimasu.
I will take a short break because I'm tired.
疲れた (I'm tired) + から (because) + 少し休みます (I will take a short break)
時間がないから急ぎましょう。
Jikan ga nai kara isogimashou.
Let's hurry up because we don't have much time.
時間がない (we don't have much time) + から (because) + 急ぎましょう (let's hurry up)
東京から来ました。
Tōkyō kara kimashita.
I came from Tokyo.
東京 (Tokyo) + から (from)
Context
The pattern "〜から" is used to indicate the reason or cause for something. It can be used in both plain and polite forms. When used as a particle, "から" indicates the starting point or origin of something, such as a time or place. Be careful not to confuse this pattern with "ので", which is a softer reason.
Watch out
While both patterns indicate a reason, "〜から" is used for a clear and direct reason, whereas "ので" is used for a softer or more indirect reason.
Make sure to put the reason clause before "から" and the result clause after it.
While "〜から" can be used with a negative reason, it's more common to use "〜ので" in such cases.
Strategy
Pay attention to the clause order and make sure to use the correct pattern for the reason. Also, be careful not to confuse "〜から" with "ので".
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜から used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
雨が降っているから、傘を持っていきます。
Pattern used: から
から gives the reason: because it's raining, I'll take an umbrella. Both から and ので work, but から is more direct.
疲れたから、少し休みます。
Pattern used: から
から connects the reason (tired) to the result (will rest). けど/が would indicate contrast, not cause.
時間がないから、急ぎましょう。
Pattern used: から
から states the reason directly. のに would express 'despite' (opposite meaning), and けど/が express contrast.
Interactive
雨が降っている______、傘を持っていきます。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.