A2
から and ので — because
The difference between から and ので in Japanese, why the reason precedes the result, and which one to use when explaining yourself.
Both mean because, and both put the reason first — the opposite of the usual English order.
寒いから、窓を閉めます。
Samui kara, mado o shimemasu.
I’ll shut the window because it’s cold.
時間がないので、行けません。
Jikan ga nai node, ikemasen.
I can’t go, because I haven’t got time.
Read in Japanese order these are it’s cold, so I’ll shut the window. Nothing is inverted; the causal word simply sits between them.
から is subjective, ので is not
から presents your reason and expects it to count — it goes with assertions, demands and excuses. ので presents a circumstance as simply being the case, which makes it softer and more formal.
危ないですから、下がってください。
Abunai desu kara, sagatte kudasai.
It’s dangerous, so please step back.
電車が遅れましたので、遅くなりました。
Densha ga okuremashita node, osoku narimashita.
The train was delayed, so I’m late.
Apologising with から can sound like you are arguing. ので is the safer choice whenever the reason is also an excuse.
What comes before them
から attaches to either plain or polite forms. ので takes the plain form in ordinary use, though a polite form before it is normal in formal speech — 遅れましたので, as above. After a noun or な-adjective it takes な: 学生なので, 静かなので.
学生ので、お金がありません。
学生なので、お金がありません。
ので needs な after a noun. The same な appears after a な-adjective: 便利なので.
から can end the sentence
Left hanging, it turns into a reason offered on its own — often defensive, often the last word in an argument.
知らなかったんですから。
Shiranakatta n desu kara.
Well, I didn’t know.