Saying 'because' in Japanese
‘Because’ in Japanese is のでnode or からkara. You can use either one of these two. However, just looking up the word in Japanese is not enough for you to actually use it correctly in a sentence. In fact, のでnode and からkara are often incorrectly used by learners of Japanese.
How do you use のでnode and からkara? Here’s the formula:
How do you use のでnode and からkara? Here’s the formula:
CAUSE/REASON (in plain form) + {のでnode or からkara} + EFFECT/RESULT
You first state the cause or reason. Make sure you use the plain form ending. Then you say either
のでnode or からkara . Lastly, you state the effect or result.
Here’s a sentence example:
明日テストがあるので今夜勉強します。
Ashita tesuto ga aru node kon-ya benkyooshimasu.
You first state the cause or reason. Make sure you use the plain form ending. Then you say either
のでnode or からkara . Lastly, you state the effect or result.
Here’s a sentence example:
明日テストがあるので今夜勉強します。
Ashita tesuto ga aru node kon-ya benkyooshimasu.
I’ll study tonight because I have a test tomorrow.
Notice the logical order: you have to give the reason first. Many Japanese learners make a mistake of saying the effect/result first probably because they think of the order in the English construction “result + because + reason”.
It’s probably more straightforward to think of the example sentence above as “I have a test tomorrow, so I’ll study tonight” in English. Then the English order and the Japanese order match.
So again, remember that you say the reason first in Japanese!
Notice the logical order: you have to give the reason first. Many Japanese learners make a mistake of saying the effect/result first probably because they think of the order in the English construction “result + because + reason”.
It’s probably more straightforward to think of the example sentence above as “I have a test tomorrow, so I’ll study tonight” in English. Then the English order and the Japanese order match.
So again, remember that you say the reason first in Japanese!