When learning Japanese, understanding how to express cause and reason is essential for effective communication. In Japanese, prepositions of cause/reason play a significant role in expressing the motive or cause behind an action or event. These prepositions provide insight into the reasons behind someone’s behavior or the cause of a particular situation. In this guide, we will explore the various prepositions used to convey cause/reason in Japanese, along with example sentences to illustrate their usage.
から (kara)
One of the most common prepositions used to express cause/reason in Japanese is から (kara). It is used to indicate the cause or reason that precedes an action or event. It is similar to the English word “because” or “from.”
Example sentences:
a. 日本語が好きですから、日本に留学しました。
(Nihongo ga suki desu kara, Nihon ni ryuugaku shimashita.)
Because I like Japanese, I studied abroad in Japan.
b. 寝坊したから、遅刻しました。
(Nebou shita kara, chikoku shimashita.)
I was late because I overslept.
ので (node)
ので (node) is another frequently used preposition to express cause/reason in Japanese. It is more formal than から (kara) and is equivalent to the English conjunction “because” or “since.”
Example sentences:
a. 雨が降っているので、傘を持っていきます。
(Ame ga futte iru node, kasa o motte ikimasu.)
I will bring an umbrella because it’s raining.
b. 疲れているので、早く寝ます。
(Tsukarete iru node, hayaku nemasu.)
I will go to bed early because I’m tired.
のである (node aru)
のである (node aru) is a more formal form of ので (node) and is often used in written language or formal settings. It is equivalent to the English phrase “because it is.”
Example sentences:
a. 体調が良くないのであるから、休みます。
(Taichou ga yokunai node aru kara, yasumimasu.)
I will take a break because I am not feeling well.
b. 彼が遅刻したのであるから、会議は延期されました。
(Kare ga chikoku shita node aru kara, kaigi wa enki sare mashita.)
The meeting was postponed because he was late.
のため (notame)
のため (notame) is a preposition used to indicate the purpose or reason behind an action. It can be translated as “for the sake of” or “because of.”
Example sentences:
a. 健康のため、毎日運動しています。
(Kenkou no tame, mainichi undou shiteimasu.)
I exercise every day for the sake of my health.
b. 道が混んでいるため、バスに乗ります。
(Michi ga konde iru tame, basu ni norimasu.)
I will take the bus because the road is congested.
なぜなら (nazenara)
なぜなら (nazenara) is a conjunction used to introduce a reason or cause. It is often translated as “because” or “since” in English.
Example sentences:
a. 彼は試験に合格しなかった。なぜなら、勉強しなかったからだ。
(Kare wa shiken ni goukaku shinakatta. Nazenara, benkyou shinakatta kara da.)
He didn’t pass the exam. That’s because he didn’t study.
b. 今日は遊べない。なぜなら、宿題がたくさんあるからだ。
(Kyou wa asobenai. Nazenara, shukudai ga takusan aru kara da.)
I can’t play today. That’s because I have a lot of homework.
By familiarizing yourself with these prepositions and their usage, you will be able to express cause and reason more accurately in Japanese. Practice using these prepositions in different contexts to reinforce your understanding and improve your ability to communicate effectively in Japanese.
Originally posted 2023-07-13 17:28:54.