Conjunctions in Japanese for Because, But, and So

Japanese Conjunctions Chart for Because, But, So, Although, and Then

Japanese connectors can look tiny, but they do a lot of work. They hold sentences together, show cause and effect, soften opinions, and keep your Japanese from sounding like a robot with a dictionary. Handy, right?

If you have ever stared at a sentence and thought, “Wait, where does the because part go?” welcome to the club. Japanese often puts the reason first, the result later, and the connector in a place that feels perfectly normal once you stop expecting English to run the show.

This guide gives you a clear chart for because, but, so, although, and then, plus real examples you can actually use. For a broader overview of Japanese sentence structure, see Learn Japanese.

Table of Contents

Quick Chart Of Core Conjunctions

Japanese	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Translation
だから	dakara	so; therefore; that’s why	雨です。だから、家にいます。 Ame desu. Dakara, ie ni imasu.	It’s raining. So I’m staying home.
ので	node	because; since; due to	疲れたので、早く寝ます。 Tsukareta node, hayaku nemasu.	Because I’m tired, I will sleep early.
けど	kedo	but; though; however	行きたいけど、お金がない。 Ikitai kedo, okane ga nai.	I want to go, but I don’t have money.
でも	demo	but; however	高いです。でも、きれいです。 Takai desu. Demo, kirei desu.	It’s expensive. But it’s beautiful.
それで	sorede	so; and then; as a result	道に迷いました。それで、遅れました。 Michi ni mayoimashita. Sorede, okuremashita.	I got lost. So I was late.
それから	sorekara	then; after that; and then	朝ごはんを食べました。それから、出かけました。 Asagohan o tabemashita. Sorekara, dekakemashita.	I ate breakfast. Then I went out.
しかし	shikashi	however; but	安いです。しかし、使いにくいです。 Yasui desu. Shikashi, tsukai nikui desu.	It’s cheap. However, it’s hard to use.
ただし	tadashi	however; provided that; but note	入れます。ただし、予約が必要です。 Iremasu. Tadashi, yoyaku ga hitsuyō desu.	You can enter. However, a reservation is required.
けれども	keredomo	although; though; but	知っていますけれども、言いません。 Shitte imasu keredomo, iimasen.	I know, although I won’t say it.
でもそのあと	demo sono ato	but after that; then after that	失敗しました。でもそのあと、もう一回やりました。 Shippai shimashita. Demo sono ato, mō ikkai yarimashita.	I failed. But after that, I tried once more.

Yes, Japanese has more than one way to say “but.” Language likes options. Apparently one “but” was not enough drama.

Because: Reason First, Result Second

In Japanese, the reason often comes before the result. That means the “because” idea can appear at the start of the sentence, or attached to the reason clause.

ので is a polite and natural connector. It sounds softer than a direct “because.” It is great for explanations, excuses, and calm statements.

Pattern	Meaning	Example	Rōmaji	Translation
V-た + ので	because I did / because it happened	遅くなったので、先に行ってください。 Rokunatta node, saki ni itte kudasai.	Rokunatta node, saki ni itte kudasai.	Because I became late, please go ahead.
い-adj + ので	because it is…	寒いので、コートを着ます。 Samui node, kōto o kimasu.	Samui node, kōto o kimasu.	Because it’s cold, I wear a coat.
な-adj / noun + なので	because it is…	静かなので、勉強しやすいです。 Shizuka na node, benkyō shi yasui desu.	Shizuka na node, benkyō shi yasui desu.	Because it’s quiet, it’s easy to study.

だから also means “so” or “that’s why,” and it is often used as a sentence starter in casual speech.

雨です。だから、行きません。
Ame desu. Dakara, ikimasen.
It’s raining. So I’m not going.

That sounds simple because it is simple. Japanese is nice like that sometimes. Don’t get used to it.

But: Contrast Without Making A Scene

Japanese has several ways to say “but.” The most common casual one is けど. It can mean “but,” “though,” or even just soften a sentence. Very useful. Very sneaky.

でも is also common. It is often used at the start of a sentence, especially in casual speech.

Japanese	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Translation
けど	kedo	but; though	行きたいけど、時間がない。 Ikitai kedo, jikan ga nai.	I want to go, but I don’t have time.
でも	demo	but; however	疲れました。でも、まだ働きます。 Tsukaremashita. Demo, mada hatarakimasu.	I’m tired. But I will keep working.
しかし	shikashi	however	簡単です。しかし、大切です。 Kantan desu. Shikashi, taisetsu desu.	It’s easy. However, it is important.
けれども	keredomo	although; though; but	行けますけれども、行きません。 Ikemasu keredomo, ikimasen.	I can go, though I won’t.
ただし	tadashi	however; but note	入場できます。ただし、午後5時までです。 Nyūjō dekimasu. Tadashi, gogo go-ji made desu.	You can enter. However, only until 5 p.m.

けど is so common that it can also work as a sentence-ending softener:

ちょっと忙しいけど。
Chotto isogashii kedo.
I’m a little busy, you know.

That unfinished feeling is intentional. Japanese often leaves things gently hanging in the air instead of smashing the conversation with a full stop.

So: Result, Conclusion, Or Next Step

When something happens and then a result follows, Japanese often uses それで or だから. Both can mean “so,” but the tone is slightly different.

Japanese	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Translation
だから	dakara	so; that’s why	眠いです。だから、早く帰ります。 Nemui desu. Dakara, hayaku kaerimasu.	I’m sleepy. So I’m going home early.
それで	sorede	so; and then; as a result	電車が止まりました。それで、遅れました。 Densha ga tomarimashita. Sorede, okuremashita.	The train stopped. So I was late.
そのため	sono tame	therefore; for that reason	雨が強いです。そのため、試合は中止です。 Ame ga tsuyoi desu. Sono tame, shiai wa chūshi desu.	The rain is heavy. Therefore, the game is cancelled.
そこで	sokode	so then; therefore; at that point	道に迷いました。そこで、地図を見ました。 Michi ni mayoimashita. Sokode, chizu o mimashita.	I got lost. So then, I looked at a map.

それで often feels like “and as a result,” while だから can feel more like a direct conclusion. In everyday conversation, both are useful. The good news is that native speakers will not file a complaint if you mix them up a little.

Although: Soft Contrast And Polite Pushback

Although in Japanese often appears as けれども, けれど, or が in more formal or subtle styles. These forms show contrast without sounding too harsh.

Japanese	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Translation
けれども	keredomo	although; though; but	高いけれども、とても人気です。 Takai keredomo, totemo ninki desu.	Although it’s expensive, it is very popular.
けれど	keredo	though; but	行きたいけれど、仕事があります。 Ikitai keredo, shigoto ga arimasu.	Although I want to go, I have work.
が	ga	but; although	少し難しいが、面白いです。 Sukoshi muzukashii ga, omoshiroi desu.	It is a little difficult, but interesting.
一方で	ippō de	on the other hand	安い一方で、品質は低いです。 Yasui ippō de, hinshitsu wa hikui desu.	On the one hand it’s cheap, but the quality is low.

が is especially useful in writing and formal speech. It can sound softer than でも or けど. Think of it as the polite little cousin of “but.”

Then: Sequence And Order

If you want to say “then” or “after that,” Japanese often uses それから. For a result-based “then,” それで can also work. The choice depends on whether you mean sequence or consequence.

Japanese	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Translation
それから	sorekara	then; after that	宿題をしました。それから、ゲームをしました。 Shukudai o shimashita. Sorekara, gēmu o shimashita.	I did my homework. Then I played a game.
その後で	sono ato de	after that	会議があります。その後で、昼ごはんを食べます。 Kaigi ga arimasu. Sono ato de, hirugohan o tabemasu.	There is a meeting. After that, I will eat lunch.
次に	tsugi ni	next; then	まず洗います。次に、切ります。 Mazu araimasu. Tsugi ni, kirimasu.	First wash it. Then cut it.
続いて	tsuzuite	next; following that	開会のあいさつです。続いて、社長の話です。 Kaikai no aisatsu desu. Tsuzuite, shachō no hanashi desu.	First, the opening greeting. Next, the president’s speech.

When you need a clean timeline, それから and 次に are your friends. English “then” is a one-size-fits-all word. Japanese says, “Cute. Let’s be more specific.”

Useful Real-Life Phrases

Japanese	Rōmaji	English Meaning	Example Sentence	Translation
忙しいので	isogashii node	because I’m busy	忙しいので、あとで電話します。 Isogashii node, ato de denwa shimasu.	Because I’m busy, I’ll call later.
お金がないので	okane ga nai node	because I don’t have money	お金がないので、買いません。 Okane ga nai node, kaimasen.	Because I don’t have money, I won’t buy it.
行きたいけど	ikitai kedo	I want to go, but	行きたいけど、今日は無理です。 Ikitai kedo, kyō wa muri desu.	I want to go, but today is impossible.
でも大丈夫です	demo daijōbu desu	but it’s okay	遅れました。でも大丈夫です。 Okuremashita. Demo daijōbu desu.	I was late. But it’s okay.
それで終わりです	sorede owari desu	and then it’s over; that’s it	説明は短いです。それで終わりです。 Setsumei wa mijikai desu. Sorede owari desu.	The explanation is short. And then it’s over.
それから	sorekara	then; after that	買い物をしました。それから、帰りました。 Kaimono o shimashita. Sorekara, kaerimashita.	I went shopping. Then I went home.
雨だから	ame dakara	because it’s raining	雨だから、散歩しません。 Ame dakara, sanpo shimasen.	Because it’s raining, I won’t take a walk.
時間があるけれど	jikan ga aru keredo	although I have time	時間があるけれど、急ぎません。 Jikan ga aru keredo, isogimasen.	Although I have time, I’m not in a rush.
そのため	sono tame	therefore	雪です。そのため、電車が止まりました。 Yuki desu. Sono tame, densha ga tomarimashita.	It’s snowing. Therefore, the train stopped.
次に	tsugi ni	next; then	次に、名前を書いてください。 Tsugi ni, namae o kaite kudasai.	Next, please write your name.
しかし重要です	shikashi jūyō desu	however, it is important	簡単ではありません。しかし重要です。 Kantan de wa arimasen. Shikashi jūyō desu.	It is not easy. However, it is important.
もちろん、けど	mochiron, kedo	of course, but	もちろん行きたいけど、予定があります。 Mochiron ikitai kedo, yotei ga arimasu.	Of course I want to go, but I have plans.

Common Mistakes And Easy Fixes

Using だから inside every sentence. It is natural, but not the only option. Try ので for a softer, more polite reason.
Using でも when you need sequence. “But” and “then” are not the same job. Use それから or 次に for order.
Forgetting that けど can soften speech. It does not always need a strong “but” meaning. Sometimes it just sounds gentler.
Mixing up それで and それから. それで is more about result. それから is more about what happens next.
Using English sentence order too rigidly. Japanese often puts the reason first. Let the sentence breathe a little.

Mini Practice

Swap the connector and see how the meaning changes. Tiny word, big consequences. Japanese loves that sort of thing.

雨です。____、家にいます。
Hint: “so”
行きたい____、お金がありません。
Hint: “but”
疲れた____、早く寝ます。
Hint: “because”
朝ごはんを食べました。____、出かけました。
Hint: “then”
高い____、便利です。
Hint: “although” or “but”

Possible answers: だから, けど, ので, それから, けれども.

Quick Reference Summary

Function	Common Japanese	Simple Note
Because	ので, だから	ので is softer and polite; だから is direct and common.
But	けど, でも, が	けど is very common; でも starts sentences well; が is more formal.
So	だから, それで, そのため	だから is casual; それで shows result; そのため is formal.
Although	けれども, けれど, が	These soften contrast and keep the sentence polite or natural.
Then	それから, 次に, その後で	Use these for order, sequence, and what happens next.

If you remember only one thing, remember this: Japanese connectors are about relationship. Cause, contrast, result, and sequence all have different flavors. Choose the one that matches the feeling, and your sentences will sound much more natural.

For more Japanese learning support, the main guide starts at this Japanese lesson. And yes, once you get these connectors under control, Japanese sentences stop feeling like spaghetti and start looking like actual sentences. A nice upgrade.