How to Say “Because” in Japanese | Using ～から with Short Form Verbs, Adjectives, and Nouns

level1 (N5)

Introduction

Want to say things like “Because I’m tired,” “Because it’s cold,” or “Because I have an exam” in Japanese?

The most natural and useful way to express a reason in Japanese is by using:

～から = because 〜

In this article, you’ll learn how to use 〜から with verbs, adjectives, and nouns in short (plain) form, so you can explain reasons clearly in Japanese conversation.

1. Basic Structure

Grammar Pattern

[Verb/Adjective/Noun in short (plain) form] + から

EnglishJapanese
Because I’m tired, I’ll sleep early.疲つかれたから、早はやく寝ねます。
Because it’s cold, I’ll close the window.寒さむいから、窓まどを閉しめます。
Because it’s the weekend, I’m free.週末しゅうまつだから、暇ひまです。

You can use this pattern at the beginning or middle of a sentence.

2. How to Conjugate Before から

Verbs

Use the short (plain) form (positive/negative, present/past):

  • くる → きた (past) → きたから (because [someone] came)
  • いく → いかない (negative) → いかないから (because [someone] doesn’t go)

い-Adjectives

Use them as they are:

  • 高たかい → 高いから (because it’s expensive)
  • 寒さむくない → 寒くないから (because it’s not cold)

な-Adjectives & Nouns

In the present tense, add だ before から:

  • 元気げんき → 元気だから (because I’m well)
  • 学生がくせい → 学生だから (because I’m a student)

In past tense, use as-is:

  • 病気びょうきだった → 病気だったから (because I was sick)

3. Example Sentences

Explaining Reasons

  • 疲つかれたから、コーヒーを飲のみました。
    = Because I was tired, I drank coffee.
  • 雨あめが降ふっているから、出でかけません。
    = Because it’s raining, I won’t go out.
  • あまりお金かねがないから、映画えいがを見みません。
    = Because I don’t have much money, I won’t see a movie.
  • 日曜日にちようびだから、デパートは混こんでいます。
    = Because it’s Sunday, the department store is crowded.

4. Practice Time!

Connect the reasons and situations using から：

ReasonSituationResult
雨あめが降ふっている出でかけません雨が降っているから、出かけません。
Because it’s raining, I won’t go out.
JLPTの試験しけんがある勉強べんきょうしますJLPTの試験があるから、勉強します。
Because I have the JLPT exam, I will study.
忙いそがしい遊あそびにいきません忙しいから、遊びにいきません。
Because I’m busy, I won’t go out (to play/hang out).
天気てんきがいい洗濯せんたくします天気がいいから、洗濯します。
Because the weather is good, I will do laundry.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Wrong✅ Correct
きれいからきれいだから ✅
医者いしゃですから医者だから ✅
安やすいですから安いから ✅
疲つかれましたから疲れたから ✅

💡 Use the short (plain) form before から — not the polite form like です or ます！

6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Q
What’s the difference between 〜から and 〜ので?
A

〜から is more direct and conversational.
〜ので is softer, more formal or polite.
Example:

  • お腹がすいたから食べます。 (casual)
  • お腹がすいたので食べます。 (more polite)
Q
Can I use this with questions?
A

Yes, like:
A: 先週せんしゅう、どうして結婚式けっこんしきに来こなかったの？ = Why didn’t you come to the wedding last week?
B: 病気びょうきだったからです。= Because I was sick.

Q
Why do I need to add だ before から with present tense な-adjectives and nouns (like 元気だから)? Why not just 元気から?
A

That’s because the rule is “[Plain Form] + から”. The plain form, present tense affirmative for な-adjectives and nouns actually ends in だ (da) – it’s the casual version of です (desu). So, you need to include that だ before adding から. For い-adjectives (e.g., 寒い – samui) and verbs (e.g., 行く – iku), their plain forms don’t end in だ, so you just add から directly (寒いから, 行くから).

Q
If the clause before から is plain form, does the whole sentence have to be casual? Can the final verb be polite (ます/ました)?
A

The clause right before から must be in plain form. However, the politeness of the entire sentence is decided by the final ending. So, it’s very common and natural to have a plain form reason followed by a polite main clause.

Example: 「寒いから、窓を閉めます。」(Samui kara, mado o shimemasu.) – Because it’s cold (plain), I will close the window (polite).

Q
Does から always mean “because”?
A

から has two primary meanings:

  1. From: When it follows a noun (usually indicating a starting point, time, or source). (Ex: 大阪から来ました – Oosaka kara kimashita – I came from Osaka; 3時から – San-ji kara – From 3 o’clock). You can tell the difference by looking at what comes directly before から.
  2. Because/So: When it follows a complete clause (ending in a plain form verb, adjective, or noun+だ), it indicates a reason. (Ex: 食べたから眠い – Tabeta kara nemui – Because I ate, I’m sleepy).
Q
Can I end a sentence with just ～から, without stating the result?
A

Yes, definitely! In casual conversation, if the result or conclusion is obvious from the situation or the question asked, you can often just state the reason ending with ～から. It’s like saying “Because…” and letting the listener understand the rest.

Example:
Q: 「どうしてパーティーに来なかったの？」(Why didn’t you come to the party?)
A: 「ちょっと用事があったから。」(Chotto youji ga atta kara. – Because I had something to do…). The “…so I couldn’t come” part is implied.

7. Conclusion

Now you can express reasons in Japanese using:

✅ Verbs, adjectives, and nouns in short form
✅ + から to mean “because”
✅ Naturally explain situations in daily conversation

🎯 Try this: Write 3 sentences in Japanese using 〜から to explain your day!

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