Hareteirunode, sentaku o shimasu

Connecting cause and result

To connect two sentences where the first sentence indicates a cause and the second indicates a result, you use “node” or “kara” in Japanese. This structure helps clearly convey the cause-and-effect relationship between the two statements.

Using “node”:

  • “node” is used to indicate a reason or cause and is often considered more polite and formal than “kara.”
  • It implies that the reason is more objective or factual.
  • Example:
    • Ame ga futte iru node, soto ni dekakemasen. – Because it is raining, I won’t go outside.

Using “kara”:

  • “kara” is also used to indicate a reason or cause but is more casual and subjective compared to “node.”
  • It implies a personal or direct reason.
  • Example:
    • Onaka ga suita kara, hirugohan o tabemasu. – Because I am hungry, I will eat lunch.

Sakana ga nigatenanode, osushi wa tabemasen. *nigate = not preferable
Ahita wa yasumi dakara, kon’ya wa osake o nomimasu.
Toukyou wa ookii kara, jinkou mo ooi desu.

How to connect sentences

In Japanese, you can use “node” and “kara” to connect two sentences where the first sentence indicates a cause and the second indicates a result. These conjunctions can be attached to either short forms or long forms of verbs, adjectives, and nouns. However, using short forms is generally more natural and suitable for everyday conversation, as long forms can sometimes be too polite and formal for casual use.

When it comes to nouns and noun-adjectives, the short forms for “kara” and “node” differ slightly:

For “kara,” the structure is straightforward and directly connected to the short form of the noun or noun-adjective.

  • Example:
    • kantan da kara – because it is simple

For “node,” the structure involves adding “na” before “node” to connect it properly.

  • Example:
    • kantan na node – because it is simple

Why short forms are preferred

Using short forms with “node” and “kara” makes the sentences sound more natural and appropriate for most conversational contexts. Long forms can be too polite and may feel out of place in casual conversation.

Examples Highlighting the Difference:

  1. Long Forms (Polite, but sometimes too formal and unnatural):
    • Ame ga futte imasu node, soto ni dekakemasen. – Because it is raining, I won’t go outside.
    • Atama ga itai desu kara, kusuri o nomimashita. – Because I have a headache, I took medicine.
  2. Short Forms (Natural for Conversation):
    • Ame ga futte iru node, soto ni dekakemasen. – Because it is raining, I won’t go outside.
    • Atama ga itai node, kusuri o nomimashita. – Because I have a headache, I took medicine.

“node” or “kara”

Using short forms plus “kara” makes sentences rather subjective and informal. This structure is typically not used in public or formal situations, as it can come across as rough or casual.

On the other hand, using short forms plus “node” creates sentences that are more formal and suitable for various contexts, including both casual and formal conversations.

Expressions

Gakusei nanode, densha ga yasui desu. (As I am a student, the train fare is cheap.)
Gakusei datta node, arubaito o shite imashita. (As I was a student, I used to do a part-time job.)
Yasai ga takai node, kaimono ga taihen desu. (As vegetables are expensive, it is hard to do shopping.)
Yasai ga yasukunai node, kaimono ga taihen desu. (As vegetables are not cheap, it is hard to do shopping.)
Ashita wa oosaka ni ikunode, kaisha o yasumimasu. (As I go to Osaka tomorrow, I am absent from the job.)
Kinou wa takusan aruita node, tsukaremashita. (As I walked a lot yesterday, I got tired.)
Hareteirunode, sentaku o shimasu. (As it is fine weather, I do laundry.)