だから

So, Therefore

Level 1Sounds Like dakara

Meaning: "So," "Therefore," "That's why."
Usage: Starts a new sentence to explain a result, or follows a noun/na-adjective mid-sentence.
Tone: Casual and subjective.

How It Works

だから is formed from the casual copula だ and the reason particle から.

Key characteristics include:

  • Sentence Position: It can appear at the beginning of a sentence to link back to the previous statement. It can also be used mid-sentence specifically when following a noun or a な-adjective (e.g., 雨だから... / 'Because it's rain...').
  • Subjectivity: It often expresses the speaker's personal logic, opinion, or intent. Because of this, it can sound slightly forceful or argumentative.
  • Politeness: In polite conversation, use ですから instead.
  • Emphasis: When used alone as an exclamation ("だから！"), it conveys impatience, similar to saying "Like I said!"
  • Comparison with それで: While だから indicates a logical 'therefore,' それで is used for chronological sequences ('and then') or natural consequences where the speaker's will is less prominent.

Examples (5)

  1. 今日は雨だ。だから、どこにも行かない。

    It's raining today. Therefore, I'm not going anywhere.

    Word by Word: Today (topic) rain is. So, anywhere even go not.

    The first sentence provides the reason (rain), and the second sentence starts with だから to show the result (not going out).

  2. 彼はとても親切です。ですから、みんなに好かれています。

    He is very kind. That is why he is liked by everyone.

    Word by Word: He (topic) very kind is. Therefore, everyone by liked is.

    This uses the polite form ですから to match the polite sentence structure.

  3. 危ないよ。だから、行かないで。

    It's dangerous. So, please don't go.

    Word by Word: Dangerous (assertive). So, go not please.

    だから is often used before commands or requests to justify the speaker's instruction.

  4. 日曜日だから、店が混んでいます。

    Because it is Sunday, the shop is crowded.

    Word by Word: Sunday because, shop (subject) crowded is.

    Here, だから is used mid-sentence following the noun 日曜日（にちようび） to connect the reason directly to the result.

  5. だから、言ったじゃない！

    Like I said! / I told you so!

    Word by Word: So, said didn't I!

    A common idiomatic use of だから expressing frustration when the listener didn't listen to previous advice.

Common Mistakes

  • Using だから inside a sentence after an i-adjective or verb.

    おいしいだから食べる。
    おいしいから食べる。

    だから is a standalone conjunction. To connect two clauses within one sentence after a verb or i-adjective, use the particle から alone.

  • Using だから when speaking to a superior.

    （先生に）だから、わかりません。
    （先生に）ですから、わかりません。

    だから is casual. When speaking to teachers or bosses, use the polite version ですから. However, be careful as even the polite version can sound like you are arguing or making excuses.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

だからLevel 1So, Therefore

Learn This First

だから is a conjunction used to express a result based on a previously stated reason. It is formed by combining the casual copula 'だ' with the reason-marking particle 'から'. To understand it, you need to know how 'だ' functions as a sentence ender and how 'から' indicates causality.

Words in This Pattern