から
JLPT N5:from / because
After a noun, から marks where or when something starts: "from". After a clause, it gives a reason: "because".
How to form it
- After a place, time or person, から means "from": 九時から (from nine), 友達から (from a friend).
- Pair it with まで for a range: 九時から五時まで (from nine to five).
- After a clause, から gives the reason, and the result follows: 暑いから、窓を開けてください (it's hot, so please open the window).
- The reason can be plain or polite: 暑いですから. After a noun or な-adjective, add だ or です: 休みだから.
Examples
九時から五時まで働きます。
I work from nine to five.
時間がないから、タクシーで行こう。
We don't have time, so let's take a taxi.
Notes
- To answer "why?", the reason + から is enough: 疲れたから。 (because I'm tired).
- から states your reason directly. ので sounds softer and more objective, so it is often preferred in polite requests and excuses.
Common mistakes
- Putting the reason second, as in English. The reason comes first: 暑いから、窓を開けた (I opened the window because it was hot).
Similar meaning
- 〜のでbecause (softer)
A softer, more objective "because", common in polite explanations.
Same form, different meaning
- 〜てからafter doing
After the て-form, から means "after doing": 食べてから (after eating).