Basic Lessons
Asking Directions (6)
Dialogue
Click here for the dialogue for "Asking Directions."
Kara: Connective Particles
"Kara" is a connective particle, and means "because," "so," or "therefore."
|
Sentence (1) + kara + Sentence (2) |
Sentence (1) expresses the reason, and Sentence (2) expresses the result. Here are some examples.
| Ii tenki deshita kara sanpo ni ikimashita. いい天気でしたから 散歩に行きました。 |
Because it was nice weather, I went for a walk. |
| Kaze o hiita kara gakkou ni ikanakatta. 風邪をひいたから 学校に行かなかった。 |
Because I had a cold, I didn't go to school. |
Pay attention to the word order. Although "kara" can be
translated as "because," it comes after the phrase or clause just like other
particles. It might be easy to understand "kara" as "that's why."
Kara can be attached with both formal and plain forms of the verbs.
| Formal | Kaigi ga arimasu kara hayaku kite kudasai. 会議がありますから 早く来てください。 |
We have a meeting, therefore please come early. |
| Plain | Tomodachi ga kuru kara sushi o tsukutta. 友達が来るから すしを作った。 |
Because my friend is coming, I made sushi. |
"Kara" sentence can be used independently.
| Doushite okureta no. どうして遅れたの。 |
Why you were late? |
| Densha ni noriokureta kara. 電車に乗り遅れたから。 |
Because I missed the train. |
Click here to learn the difference between "kara" and "node."
