Learn Japanese grammar: から (kara). Meaning: because; since; from.
This grammar can be used in two different ways to express two different meanings. Both forms are very commonly used in Japanese, so it is important to understand how to use both forms and to be able to comprehend them correctly.
Let’s look at some specific examples below:
Meaning 1) because; since
The first meaning expresses a cause and effect type relationship. Because of [A], [B].
明日テストがあるから、今夜勉強つもりだ。
ashita tesuto ga aru kara, konya benkyou tsumori da.
Since I have a test tomorrow, I plan to study tonight.
Verbs can also be used in past tense form
今朝テストがあったから、今はちょっとつかれた。
kesa tesuto ga atta kara, ima wa chotto tsukareta.
I had a test this morning, so I’m a bit tired now.
Nouns change to だから (dakara)
大事なしけんだから、がんばる！
daiji na shiken dakara, ganbaru!
This is a very important test, so I will do my best!
な-adjectives also use だから (dakara)
あの人はいつもとてもしずかだから、一度も話したことがない。
ano hito wa itsumo totemo shizuka dakara, ichido mo hanashita koto ga nai.
That person is always really quiet, so I haven’t ever talked to them.
い-adjectives use the regular から (kara) form
暑いから、窓を開けてください。
atsui kara, mado o akete kudasai.
It’s pretty hot, so could you please open the window?
Meaning 2) from; since
The second meaning does not imply a cause and effect relationship like meaning 1. Instead, it focuses on what comes before から (kara).
[A]から = From/since [A],… (note that the order is reversed compared to English)
It can be used to express something from a person
このシャツは彼女からもらった。
kono shatsu wa kanojo kara moratta.
I got this shirt from my girlfriend.
It can also express from/since a location/time
生まれた時からアメリカに住んでいる。
umareta toki kara amerika ni sundeiru.
I have been living in America since I was born.
Another example
17時からアルバイトがある。
juu nana ji kara arubaito ga aru.
I’ve got my part time job from 5pm.
Extra Study Notes
だから can be interchanged with ですから to be a bit more polite.
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から - Example Sentences 例文
Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.
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Example #1
天気がいいから、外に行きたい。
Example #2
私はすぐ戻るから、ここでちょっと待ってください。
Example #3
これからもよろしくお願いします。
Example #4
ここからあの駅まで歩いてどれぐらいかかりますか？
Example #5
お店は何時から何時まで開いていますか？
Vocabulary List 語彙
| Kanji 漢字 | Kana カナ | English 英語 |
|---|---|---|
| 明日 | あした | tomorrow |
| テスト | てすと | test |
| ある | there is (non living) | |
| 今夜 | こんや | tonight |
| 勉強 | べんきょう | study |
| つもり | plan | |
| 今朝 | けさ | this morning |
| 今 | いま | now |
| ちょっと | little bit | |
| 疲れた | つかれた | tired |
| 大事 | だいじ | important |
| 試験 | しけん | exam; test |
| 頑張る | がんばる | to do one's best |
| いつも | always | |
| とても | very | |
| 静かな | しずかな | quiet |
| 一度も | いちども | not even once |
| 話す | はなす | to talk |
| 暑い | あつい | hot |
| 窓 | まど | window |
| 開ける | あける | to open |
| シャツ | しゃつ | shirt |
| 彼女 | かのじょ | girlfriend |
| 生まれる | うまれる | to be born |
| アメリカ | あめりか | America; USA |
| 住む | すむ | to live |
| バイト | ばいと | part time job |
| 天気 | てんき | weather |
| 外 | そと | outside |
| 戻る | もどる | to return |
| 待つ | まつ | to wait |
| 駅 | えき | station |
| 歩く | あるく | to walk |
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