How to Use Japanese Conjunctions – Linking Sentences Naturally

Japanese conjunctions help connect sentences and ideas smoothly, improving fluency and coherence in speech and writing. Understanding these words is essential for expressing thoughts clearly.

 

How to Use Japanese Conjunctions

1. Common Japanese Conjunctions and Their Uses

1.1 Adding Information (And, Also, Furthermore)

そして (soshite) – And, then

Example: 日本語を勉強しています。そして、韓国語も学びたいです。(Nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu. Soshite, Kankokugo mo manabitai desu.) – I am studying Japanese. And I also want to learn Korean.

それに (soreni) – Besides, in addition

Example: 彼は親切です。それに、とても頭がいいです。(Kare wa shinsetsu desu. Soreni, totemo atama ga ii desu.) – He is kind. Besides, he is very smart.

1.2 Contrasting Ideas (But, However, On the Other Hand)

でも (demo) – But

Example: 映画を見たいです。でも、お金がありません。(Eiga o mitai desu. Demo, okane ga arimasen.) – I want to watch a movie. But I have no money.

しかし (shikashi) – However (formal)

Example: 彼は努力しました。しかし、試験に落ちました。(Kare wa doryoku shimashita. Shikashi, shiken ni ochimashita.) – He worked hard. However, he failed the exam.

1.3 Giving Reasons or Explanations (Because, So, Therefore)

だから (dakara) – So, therefore

Example: 雨が降っています。だから、外に行けません。(Ame ga futteimasu. Dakara, soto ni ikemasen.) – It’s raining. So, I can’t go outside.

ので (node) – Because, since (polite)

Example: 風邪をひいたので、学校を休みます。(Kaze o hiita node, gakkou o yasumimasu.) – Because I caught a cold, I will take a day off school.

1.4 Showing Conditions (If, In Case, Unless)

もし (moshi) ... なら (nara) – If

Example: もし時間があるなら、一緒に行きましょう。(Moshi jikan ga aru nara, issho ni ikimashou.) – If you have time, let’s go together.

たら (tara) – If, when

Example: この仕事が終わったら、帰ります。(Kono shigoto ga owattara, kaerimasu.) – When I finish this work, I will go home.

1.5 Expressing Purpose or Intent (In Order To, For the Purpose Of)

ために (tame ni) – In order to

Example: 日本語を上達させるために、毎日勉強しています。(Nihongo o joutatsu saseru tame ni, mainichi benkyou shiteimasu.) – In order to improve my Japanese, I study every day.

2. Additional Japanese Conjunctions

2.1 Showing Results or Consequences

そのため (sono tame) – For that reason, therefore

Example: 雨が降っています。そのため、試合は中止になりました。(Ame ga futteimasu. Sono tame, shiai wa chuushi ni narimashita.) – It’s raining. Therefore, the game was canceled.

すると (suruto) – As a result, then

Example: ボタンを押しました。すると、ドアが開きました。(Botan o oshimashita. Suruto, doa ga akimashita.) – I pressed the button. Then, the door opened.

2.2 Making Comparisons or Choices

それとも (soretomo) – Or, or else

Example: コーヒーが好きですか？それとも、お茶が好きですか？(Koohii ga suki desu ka? Soretomo, ocha ga suki desu ka?) – Do you like coffee? Or do you like tea?

または (mata wa) – Either, or

Example: ペンまたは鉛筆を使ってください。(Pen mata wa enpitsu o tsukatte kudasai.) – Please use either a pen or a pencil.

FAQs

What is the difference between だから and ので?

だから is more casual, while ので is used in polite or formal situations.

Can I use でも and しかし interchangeably?

Yes, but しかし is more formal, while でも is used in casual conversations.

How do I link two sentences naturally in Japanese?

Use conjunctions like そして (soshite) for addition, でも (demo) for contrast, and だから (dakara) for reason.

What is the difference between もし and たら?

もし emphasizes the hypothetical nature of a condition, while たら is used for both hypothetical and real situations.

Are there any formal vs. informal conjunctions I should be aware of?

Yes! しかし (shikashi) is formal, while でも (demo) is casual. ので (node) is more polite than から (kara).

By mastering Japanese conjunctions, you can express ideas more clearly and make your conversations sound more natural. Keep practicing, and soon, using these transitions will become second nature!

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