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JLPT N5Particles

から(kara) — Starting Point, Origin, & Reason

Has two main roles: (1) marks the starting point in time or space ('from'); (2) works as a conjunction meaning 'because / so', giving a subjective reason for an action or state.

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Free lessonUNIT 1 · PARTICLES

Structure · 形

[Place/Time] から | [Reason clause] から、[Result]

Examples · 例文

  • 9時から働きます。

    Kuji kara hatarakimasu.

    I work from 9 o'clock.

    9時 (9 o'clock) から (from = starting time)

  • 大阪から来ました。

    Oosaka kara kimashita.

    I came from Osaka.

    大阪 (Osaka) から (from = spatial origin)

  • 忙しいから、行けません。

    Isogashii kara, ikemasen.

    Because I'm busy, I can't go.

    忙しい (busy) から (because) — reason clause first

Usage notes · 注意

  • Reason Nuance (から vs ので): から states a personal, subjective reason or justification and pairs naturally with requests, commands, and opinions ('It's cold, so close the window!').
  • Material Origin: Used when a raw material undergoes an invisible/chemical change (ワインはブドウから作る - wine is made from grapes).
  • Clause Order: The reason always comes first: [Reason] から、[Result].

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones から is tested against.

vsので (because)

から gives a subjective reason and can sound assertive (good for opinions, commands, excuses); ので presents the reason as an objective, softer, more polite cause and is preferred in formal or considerate speech.

vsまで (endpoint)

から marks the START of a range ('from'); まで marks the END ('until/up to'). They pair as から…まで ('from…to').

vsで (material)

As 'made from', から is used when the material is transformed and no longer recognizable (米から作る); で is used when the material stays visibly the same (木で作る).

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