The Conjunctive Particles から & ので
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Both the conjunctive particle から and the conjunctive particle ので are used to indicate reason (理由). The basic sentence structure which both particles share is as follows:
Clause One (Dependent Clause = The Condition) + ｛から・ので｝Clause Two (Indicate Clause = The Result/Effect of Said Condition)
As a simple example in which both particles are possible to demonstrate this point, consider the following:
i. きょうは寒い｛から・ので｝、窓を閉めた。
Since it’s cold today, I closed the window.
Traditionally, the conjunctive particles から and ので are both introduced early to students, with the former taught as indicating “subjective” reasoning and the latter taught as indicating “objective” reasoning.
しばらく雨が降らないので、ほこりがひどくなっている。
雨が降るから、やめた。
The Conjunctive Particle から
Of the two particles showcased in this lesson, the conjunctive particle から is more versatile syntactically and in the kinds of that it can create.
Before delving into the semantics, we will need to know how から connects to the various predicates in Japanese. The conjunctive particle から follows the 終止形, and even when combined with nominal and adjectival-noun predicates, the copula must intervene in its 終止形 to allow for the connection. Because politeness can also be marked in Clause One marked by から, the chart below will illustrate how it connects to the various predicate types in plain speech and polite speech respectively.
| Predicate Type | Plain Speech 終止形＋～から | Polite Speech 終止形＋～から |
| Nominal (名詞) | 人だから | 人ですから |
| Adjectival (形容詞) | 赤いから | 赤いですから |
| Adjectival Noun (形容動詞) | 簡単だから | 簡単ですから |
| Verbal (動詞) | するから | しますから |
The kinds of conditions and the implications=reasonings which may follow when utilizing the conjunctive particle から are both quite varied, but it is safe to say that the English words “because” and “since” serve as proper translations for it.
First, we will look at the various relations that can be established with から when found in sentence-medial position.
①Affirmation ⇒ Affirmation
②Affirmation ⇒ Request
③Desire ⇒ Desire
④Affirmation ⇒ Volitional Statement
⑤Affirmation ⇒ Course of Action
⑥Supposition ⇒ Suggestion
A common theme that defines the conjunctive particle から in all these environments is the presumption that the conditional clause which it marks has been derived subjectively by the speaker. Even if the reasoning is ultimately not substantiated in the context that follows, the use of から itself would not be viewed ungrammatical or unwarranted.
①Affirmation ⇒ Affirmation
Affirmation (断定) can be defined as a definitive judgment on some matter. When applied to “because” statements made with the conjunctive particle から, the point being expressed is that “because X” is the case, Y is the case.
日が長いから、助かる。
②Affirmation ⇒ Request
Of course, the “Y” clause which follows an affirmative X clause need not be limited to another affirmative statement. It may be the case that X necessitates that a request (Y) be done by the listener. Sentences following this pattern also need not be overly complicated. In fact, they can be as easy as “because (of) X, please do Y.” Now, as the use of the word “necessitates” implies, clause X can be worded to explicitly mention “must/have to.” So as not to showcase too much grammar not yet formally introduced, however, only one such example will be shown (Ex. ).
わたしもすぐ行きますから、ちょっと待っていてください。
③Desire ⇒ Desire
So far, we have seen X pertain to affirmative statements and Y pertain to both affirmative statements and requests. Of course, requests are definitively affirmed by the speaker, indicating how different facets of grammar are so intricately related to each other.
Building on the notion of how different applications are so closely tied to one another, expressing desire takes us one step further on what is meant by a request as well as on what can be defined as the speaker’s affirmation.
When the speaker wishes to do something (X) and that desire/wish constitutes the reason for why they would like the speaker to do something (Y), we see that the resulting statement is a less direct means of telling the speaker what to do – but from the point of the speaker’s wishes.
早く帰りたいから、急いでもらいたい。
④Affirmation ⇒ Volitional Statement
Volition in grammar pertains to all the ways one can indicate whether the agent (doer) of an action is consciously and/or willingly performing the action. Phrasing in Japanese is very sensitive to this factor, with verbs and grammar points alike possessing default levels of volition (0~100%).
Similarly to how “will” and “shall” both indicate intent of action but differ minutely in implications (degree of volition), the choice between using the non-past form or a volitional form creates similar differences. To simplify things, we will only look at the polite volitional form ending ～ましょう in relation to statements made with から.
First, consider the following.
きょうは寒いから、窓を閉めました。
きょうは寒いから、窓を閉めましょう。
In both examples, the speaker is the agent of shutting the window(s) in question. In Ex. a, the speaker=agent has performed the action (⑤Affirmation ⇒ Course of Action), whereas in Ex. b the agent is stating either that they shall perform the action or calling themselves and those listening to action, with that subtle difference left to intonation and body language cues (←footnote?).
By using X ～から Y ～ましょう, the speaker expresses both the reason for the action (Y) and their clear intent to do Y. The ending ～ましょう may be translated into English as “will/shall” or “let’s” depending on whether it is just the speaker or the speaker and listener(s) will be the one(s) performing Y.
⑤今日は寒いから、窓を閉めた。
⑥すぐ来るでしょうから、しばらくお待ちになっては？
Inversion
Tense
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The most important usage of the conjunctive particle から is to connect clauses to mean “because”. It shows reason and may solicit a response, suggest something, or any means that appeals to the listener. If the sentence is polite, the clause it modifies should be too.
から doesn’t have to be used after a dependent clause to show reason. It may also be at the end of a sentence. When at the end of the sentence and followed by だ, you can make a strong assertion. Without a copula, though, you show reason with more emotional appeal. Regardless, if から is used with nouns or 形容動詞, it must be preceded by the copula!
1. 時間があるから、休憩をしない？
Since we have time, how about taking a break?
2. 機械が壊れたからです。
It’s because the machine broke.
3. 明日、試験があるからです。
It’s because I have an exam tomorrow.
4. 簡単だからだ。
It’s because it’s easy.
5. あいつが馬鹿だからだな。 (Masculine)
It’s because he’s an idiot, you know.
The Conjunctive Particle ので
The particle ので, んで in casual speech, is used to show reason or cause. Unlike から, it must only be used in this way. So, you should not use it with an imperative of any sort. Also unlike から, ので is used to show reason of present circumstance where there is no control in the matter on your part. It is objective in nature, and so it’s also weaker. Appropriate translations include “since”, and “because”.
Unlike から, ので follows the 連体形 of adjectives, verbs, and copula phrases.
| だ | なので | です | ですので* | 形容詞 | よいので | 形容動詞 | 静かなので | 動詞 | するので |
Grammar Notes:
*1: ですので is technically incorrect Japanese, but it is has become frequently used to the point that is now correct Japanese.
*2: Although improper in Standard Japanese, だので is actually seen, but it’s dialectical.
This rule, though, is relatively new in Japanese, and it really has no bearing over ので. In fact, you can also find ～ますので. This, however, will be considered ungrammatical by more speakers than ですので. Why this is the case is not clear, but it probably has to deal with part of speech and the formal nature of ので. If someone doesn’t like ～ますので, the person is probably from West Japan.
Examples
6. 今日は暖かいので、桜も満開になるでしょう。
Since it is warm today, the cherry blossoms will likely be in full bloom.
7. 宿題をし終わったので、外へ遊びに行った。
Since I finished my homework, I went to play outside.
8. その料理は思ったよりおいしくなかったので、一口しか食べませんでした。
Since that dish wasn’t as a good as I thought it would be, I didn’t eat more than a bite.
9. 彼が美術館に行きたいというので、案内してあげた。
Because he said he wanted to go to an art museum, I took him around.
10. あまりに寒いので、ストーブをつけた。
Since it was so cold, I turned on the heater.
11. 日本語がうまくしゃべれるようになりたいので、一生懸命勉強します。
As I want to become good at Japanese, I’ll study with all my might.
12.「包みは航空便でいくらですか」「６００グラムですので、１５００円になります」
“How much will it cost (to send) for the package?” “Since it is 600 grams, it will be 1500 yen.”
When at the end of a sentence, ので is essentially a softer version of のだ.
13. すまない、もう先約があるんで。
Sorry, I’ve got a commitment.
14. 終電に乗りたいので。
I need to catch the last train, so…