～から (kara)

Meaning

• Japanese: ～から
• Romaji: ~kara
• Meaning (simple English): because, since
• When you use it: You use it to give a reason for something.

Simple Explanation

• It connects a reason to a result. You say the reason first, then add から, then the result.
• Core structure: [Reason] から、[Result].
• The most important rule: Use the casual form of verbs and adjectives before から. For な-adjectives and nouns, add だ before から (or ですから in polite speech).

Mnemonic / Memory Trick

• Think of a car (sounds like "kara") that needs a reason to start its engine. The reason is the fuel (the first part of the sentence), and the car "から" drives you to the result.

Mini Conversation (Cartoon Style)

Sakura 🌸
日本語の勉強が好きですから、毎日します。
Nihongo no benkyou ga suki desu kara, mainichi shimasu.
Because I like studying Japanese, I do it every day.

Kenji 🐼
それはいいですね。私は疲れましたから、少し休みます。
Sore wa ii desu ne. Watashi wa tsukaremashita kara, sukoshi yasumimasu.
That's good. Because I got tired, I will rest a little.

Sakura 🌸
わかりました。じゃあ、また後で。
Wakarimashita. Jaa, mata ato de.
I see. Well then, see you later.

Common Beginner Mistake

• ❌ Incorrect: 暑いですから、窓を開けます。 (Using ですから directly after an い-adjective in casual form is unnatural in this simple structure.)
• ✔ Correct: 暑いから、窓を開けます。
• Explanation: For い-adjectives, use the plain form (暑い) directly before から. Adding です is for polite endings of the full sentence, not typically before から in this basic pattern.

Practice Exercise

1. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
   彼は優しい（　）、みんなに好かれています。
   Kare wa yasashii (　), minna ni sukarete imasu.
   (He is kind, so everyone likes him.)
   A) です
   B) から
   C) が
   Correct answer: B) から
   Explanation: We need a word to connect the reason (he is kind) to the result (everyone likes him). から means "because" and does this job.

2. Translate to Japanese: "Because it's raining, I will use an umbrella."
   (Hint: rain = 雨 (ame), to fall = 降る (furu))

Study Tip

• Try to make one sentence using ～から every day about your own life, like "[Reason]から、[What I will do]."

Example Sentences (4–6)

Japanese:
今日は寒いから、コートを着ます。
Romaji:
Kyou wa samui kara, kooto o kimasu.
English:
Because it's cold today, I will wear a coat.

Japanese:
お腹が空いたから、ご飯を食べます。
Romaji:
Onaka ga suita kara, gohan o tabemasu.
English:
Because I'm hungry, I will eat a meal.

Japanese:
時間がないから、急ぎます。
Romaji:
Jikan ga nai kara, isogimasu.
English:
Because there's no time, I will hurry.

Japanese:
あの店は高いですから、行きません。
Romaji:
Ano mise wa takai desu kara, ikimasen.
English:
Because that shop is expensive, I won't go.