JLPT N5 grammar
から (because) — Meaning & Examples
After a reason clause, から means "because": さむいから、うちにいます (because it's cold, I'm at home). から also means "from" — context distinguishes them.
Because and So — から and ので
から (kara) — because (reason first)
Structure: [Reason] から、[Result]
あめがふっているから、うちにいます。
— Because it is raining, I am at home.
にほんごがすきだから、べんきょうしています。
— Because I like Japanese, I am studying it.
ので (node) — because (softer, more formal)
ので is similar to から but sounds more polite and less direct — preferred in formal situations:
あたまがいたいので、はやくかえります。
— Because I have a headache, I will leave early.
The order matters — Japanese puts reason before result:
English: I am at home because it is raining.
Japanese: あめがふっているから、うちにいます。
(It is raining because → at home I am.)
から also means "from":
In から、context makes the meaning clear:
さんじから (from 3 o'clock) — "from" meaning
さむいから (because it's cold) — "because" meaning
After a verb/adjective, から usually means "because."
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on から (because). Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. あめがふっているから、うちにいます (ame ga futte iru kara, uchi ni imasu) — which comes first, the reason or the result?
- The result, then the reason
- The reason, then the result
- They must be in a separate sentence
- Japanese does not use reason/result order
Show answer
Answer: The reason, then the result
Japanese puts the reason BEFORE the result: [Reason]から、[Result]. あめがふっているから、うちにいます = Because it's raining, I'm at home. This is opposite to typical English order.
2. あたまがいたいので、はやくかえります (atama ga itai node, hayaku kaerimasu) — why is ので used here rather than から?
- から cannot be used with health reasons
- ので sounds softer and more polite — suited to this considerate/formal tone
- ので and から have completely different meanings
- ので is only used in the past tense
Show answer
Answer: ので sounds softer and more polite — suited to this considerate/formal tone
ので is softer and more polite than から, often preferred in formal or considerate contexts. Both mean "because," but から can sound more direct/assertive.
Practise から (because) in the free app
This point is part of the “Connecting Sentences” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N5 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N5 grammar points
From the same lesson: Connecting Sentences
Frequently asked questions
What does から (because) mean?
After a reason clause, から means "because": さむいから、うちにいます (because it's cold, I'm at home). から also means "from" — context distinguishes them.
Is から (because) on the JLPT N5 test?
から (because) is taught in the JLPT N5 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Connecting Sentences”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise から (because)?
Open the “Connecting Sentences” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N5 mock exams, with no ads.