G25 · Because and but: から, が

Before you start

The sentences only use words you already know from hiragana, katakana and the beginner level.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• G01build sentences with は and です
• G02ask and answer
• G03say what something is not
• G04say whose something is
• G05point at things and ask what they are
• G06say «also»
• G07say what you do
• G08say no and talk about the past
• G09say where you go
• G10say where you do something
• G11describe things and say they aren't
• G12describe with な-adjectives and before a noun
• G13say what there is and where
• G14ask and say where something is
• G15talk about what was
• G16ask politely
• G17say what is happening now
• G18say what you want to do
• G19say what you do first
• G20invite and suggest plans
• G21ask for and give permission
• G22say what is not allowed
• G23compare two things
• G24ask and say which of two

What you learn

〜ですから、〜／〜ですが、〜

• からbecause
• がbut

After a clause, から gives the reason: さむいですから、コーヒーを のみます (as it's cold, I drink coffee). が adds a «but»: たかいですが、おいしいです. Don't confuse this から with 〜てから (G19, «after»).

• さむいですから、コーヒーを のみます。samui desu kara, koohii o nomimasu.As it's cold, I drink coffee.
• あついですから、みずを のみます。atsui desu kara, mizu o nomimasu.As it's hot, I drink water.
• たかいですが、おいしいです。takai desu ga, oishii desu.It's expensive, but tasty.
• やすいですが、ちいさいです。yasui desu ga, chiisai desu.It's cheap, but small.
• あしたは やすみですから、えいがを みます。ashita wa yasumi desu kara, eiga o mimasu.As tomorrow is a day off, I'll watch a film.
• わたしの へやは ちいさいですが、あたらしいです。watashi no heya wa chiisai desu ga, atarashii desu.My room is small, but new.

Practice

A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.