Need help constructing broader, more complex Japanese sentences? If that’s the case, you’ll want to study conjunctions in Japanese, and luckily, you’ve found the best collection possible right here!
You may have already mastered the Japanese alphabet (Hiragana and Katakana) and are able to put together a simple phrase if you’ve been studying Japanese for some time. However, when you’re ready to take the next step, learning to use conjunctions in Japanese to build a more complicated sentence is a must!
So, keep reading to learn how to construct different kinds of sentences by using conjunctions in Japanese to connect two or more nouns or phrases, and impress Japanese people with your splendid linguistic talents!
Overview Of Conjunctions In Japanese
Conjunctions in the Japanese language, like English conjunctions, are used to connect multiple things, create flow, and express contrast. In addition, it helps expand the explanation so that your listener will understand the message of the rest of your sentences better.
Here, then, is the complete list of conjunctions to learn before you check out the Japanese grammar structure examples!
| English | Japanese | Romaji | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| So/therefore/for that reason | だから | Dakara | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]だから[/Speechword] |
| Because/as/since | なので | Nanode | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]なので[/Speechword] |
| Hence/for that reason | そのため に | Sonotame ni | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]そのため に[/Speechword] |
| Besides/in addition/also/moreover | それに | Soreni | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]それに[/Speechword] |
| And/and then/thus/and now/and finally | そして | Soshite | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]そして[/Speechword] |
| And then/after that | それから | Sorekara | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]それから[/Speechword] |
| But/however | が | Ga | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]が[/Speechword] |
| But/however/although | けど | Kedo | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]けど[/Speechword] |
| But/however/although | けれど | Keredo | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]けれど[/Speechword] |
| But/however | しかし | Shikashi | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]しかし[/Speechword] |
| Even though/although/nevertheless/despite this | なのに | Nanoni | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]なのに[/Speechword] |
| For example | 例えば | Tatoeba | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]例えば[/Speechword] |
| After that | その後 | Sonoato | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]その後[/Speechword] |
| At that time | その時 | Sonotoki | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]その時[/Speechword] |
| Also | また | Mata | [Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]また[/Speechword] |
だから (Dakara)
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]だから [/Speechword]
Meaning: So; therefore; for that reason.
This is one of the most common Japanese conjunctions to explain meanings and reasons. This conjunction can be placed at the beginning, in the middle to join two clauses and at the end of the sentence.
Let’s look at the first example of sentences below.
Construction: Reason + だから + Action
- 人生は大変短いのだから、時間を浪費すべきではない。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]人生は大変短いのだから、時間を浪費すべきではない[/Speechword]
Romaji: Jinsei wa taihen mijikai dakara, jikan wo rouhisubekide wa nai.
English translation: Life is very short, we ought not to waste time.
Construction: だから + Action
- だからいつも人が一杯なんだ。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]だからいつも人が一杯なんだ。[/Speechword]
Romaji: Dakara itsumo hito ga ippai nanda.
English translation: That’s why it’s always crowded.
なので (Nanode)
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]なので[/Speechword]
Meaning: Because; as; since
Almost the same as in the previous sentence. However, なので (nanode) will be placed in the middle to link two sentences or at the end of the sentence.
Let’s look at the example sentences below.
Construction: Reason + なので + Action
- お天気なので、釣りに行きたいような気がする。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]お天気なので、釣りに行きたいような気がする[/Speechword]
Romaji: Otenki nanode, tsuri ni ikitai yōna ki ga suru.
English translation: The weather makes me feel like going fishing.
Construction: Action + Reason + なので
- いすをどかしてください。じゃまなので。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]いすをどかしてください。じゃまなので[/Speechword]
Romaji: Isu o dokashite kudasai. Jama nanode.
English translation: Please move the chair away. Because it’s in the way.
そのため に (Sonotame Ni)
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]そのため に[/Speechword]
Meaning: Hence; for that reason
The conjunction itself is そのため (sonotame); however, to use it grammatically correctly, remember to use it with the particle に (ni). This conjunction will be placed at the beginning or linking two clauses.
Construction: Reason + そのために + Result
Let’s look at an example sentence below.
- 私は一生懸命 働いた、そのためにとても疲れた。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]私は一生懸命 働いた、そのためにとても疲れた[/Speechword]
Romaji: Watashi wa isshōkenmei hataraita, sonotame ni tottemo tsukareta.
English translation: I worked hard all day, so I was very tired.
Construction: [Reason] そのために + Action
- 来年留学するつもりだ。そのために、アルバイトしてお金をためている。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]来年留学するつもりだ。そのために、アルバイトしてお金をためている[/Speechword]
Romaji: Rainen ryūgaku suru tsumorida. Sonotame ni, arubaito shite okane o tamete iru.
English translation: I plan to study abroad next year. For that reason, I’m working part-time to save money.
それに (Soreni)
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]それに[/Speechword]
Meaning: Besides; in addition; also; moreover
This conjunction will be added at the beginning of the second phrase. Obviously, it can also be placed at the beginning of the sentence. In addition, you can build the sentence in the same way with the conjunctions, そして(soshite) and それから(sorekara).
Construction: Phrase + それに + Phrase
Let’s look at an example sentence below.
- 彼は私にパン、それに牛乳もくれ ま した
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]彼は私にパン、それに牛乳もくれ ま した[/Speechword]
Romaji: Kare wa watashi ni pan, soreni gyūnyū mo kuremashite.
English translation: He gave me bread, also some milk.
Next, several conjunctions with the same meaning express reverse conditions. Let’s collect many options of them below!
が (Ga)
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]が[/Speechword]
Meaning: But; however
When you start learning Japanese, the introductory sentence using the particle が (ga) must be 私は日本語が好きです (watashi wa nihongo ga suki desu), which means “I like Japanese.”
In the case of this Japanese conjunction, it means “but” and “however,” which connect two independent sentences that convey contrasting ideas.
Let’s look at an example sentence below.
Construction: Phrase + が + Phrase
- 私は酒 は 飲 が ビールは飲まないです。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]私は酒 は 飲 が ビールは飲まないです[/Speechword]
Romaji: Watashi wa sake wa nomu ga bīru wa nomanaidesu
English translation: I drink sake, but I don’t drink beer.
けど (Kedo), けれど (Keredo), けれども (Keredomo), しかし (Shikashi)
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]けど[/Speechword][Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]けれど[/Speechword][Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]けれども[/Speechword][Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]しかし[/Speechword]
Meaning: But; however
All of these conjunctions signify the same thing in English. However, a word like けれども (keremodo) can convey multiple meanings while still conveying the core message.
The closest English definition for けれども (keremodo) is “although.” It’s placed at the end of the first phrase and followed by a comma.
Construction: Phrase + けれども + Phrase
Let’s look at an example sentence below.
- 疲れたいたけれども、彼女は働き続け ま した。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]疲れたいたけれども、彼女は働き続け ま した[/Speechword]
Romaji: Tsukaretaita keredomo, kanojo wa hataraki tsudzuke ma shita.
English translation: Although she was tired, she kept working.
While the conjunction けれども (keredomo), けど (kedo), けれど(keredo) are all used in the same construction, しかし (shikashi) is used at the beginning of the sentence.
Construction: [Phrase] しかし、+ Phrase
- 私はアニメが好き。しかし、ナルトは見たことがない。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]多謝[/Sp私はアニメが好き。しかし、ナルトは見たことがないword]
Romaji: Watashi wa anime ga suki. Shikashi, naruto wa mita koto ga nai.
English translation: I like anime. However, I’ve never watched Naruto.
なのに (Nanoni)
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]なのに[/Speechword]
Meaning: Even though; although; nevertheless; despite this
Following on from our discussion of the Japanese conjunction for “although,” here is another term with the same construction.
Let’s look at example sentences below.
Construction: Word/Phrase + なのに + Word/Phrase
- 夏なのに、寒い。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]夏なのに、寒い。[/Speechword]
Romaji: Natsu nanoni, samui
English translation: Even though it’s summer, it’s cold.
- 彼は４０歳なのに両親に頼りきりです。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]彼は４０歳なのに両親に頼りきりです[/Speechword]
Romaji: Kare wa 40-sai nanoni ryōshin ni tayori kiridesu
English translation: Although he’s 40 years old, he’s dependent on his parents.
例えば (Tatoeba)
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]例えば[/Speechword]
Meaning: For example; for instance
When people ask what your favorite Japanese food is, you have trouble narrowing down your answer because there are many great options. So, to better build sentences when providing instances, here is the best conjunction to use.
Construction: 例えば + Examples
Let’s look at example sentences below.
- 私 は 例えば アメリカ や インドなど外国へ行きたい。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]私 は 例えば アメリカ や インドなど外国へ行きたい[/Speechword]
Romaji: Watashi wa tatoeba Amerika ya Indo nado gaikoku e ikitai.
English translation: I want to go abroad, for example America or India.
- 外国、例えばフランスへ行ったことがありますか。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]外国、例えばフランスへ行ったことがありますか[/Speechword]
Romaji: Gaikoku, tatoeba Furansu e itta koto ga arimasu ka
English translation: Have you ever been to a foreign country, such as France?
その後 (Sonoato)
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]その後[/Speechword]
Meaning: After that; afterwards; thereafter
Sonoato, sonogo, and sononochi are the three possible pronunciations of this conjunction. If you ask a native, they’ll answer tha “その後” pronounced as sonoato suggests, “shortly after that.” However, when pronounced as sonogo, the time frame becomes longer, more closely matching the expression “ever since then.” In addition, you rarely hear the word “sononochi” used among Japanese people.
Let’s look at the example sentences below.
Construction: [Phrase] その後 + Phrase
- 彼女 は 昼食前はとても元気だったが その後気分が悪くなった。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]彼女 は 昼食前はとても元気だったが その後気分が悪くなった[/Speechword]
Romaji: Kanojo wa chūshoku mae wa totemo genkidattaga sonoato kibun ga waruku natta.
English translation: She was fine before lunch but felt sick afterwards.
- 彼はその後ずっと外国にのこ残っていた。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]彼はその後ずっと外国にのこ残っていた[/Speechword]
Romaji: Kare wa sonogo zutto gaikoku ni noko nokotte ita.
English translation: He remains abroad ever since.
その時 (Sonotoki)
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]その時[/Speechword]
Meaning: At that time; at that moment; then; on that occasion
If you’re to discuss what has happened, this Japanese conjunction will undoubtedly arise.
Let’s look at an example sentence below.
Construction: Subject + その時 + Phrase
- 彼女 は その時恐ろしいかお顔をしていた。
[Speechword voice=”Japanese Female” isinline]彼女 は その時恐ろしいかお顔をしていた[/Speechword]
Romaji: Kanojo wa sonotoki osoroshī ka o kao o shiteita.
English translation: She looked terrible at that time.
In Summary
Learning and using Japanese conjunctions is essential to communicate fluently in Japanese. Therefore, it’s highly suggested that you save complete lists and use them to practice sentence-building until you are comfortable doing so.
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