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Read Japanese, beautifully.

N4

Since / Because: ので

About 8 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Section 1 of 3

Core idea

〜ので means 'because' or 'since' and often sounds softer and more explanatory than から. It is common in polite speech, customer service, and written explanation.

  1. Target signal

    雨が降っているので、出かけません。

    Because it is raining, I will not go out.

    ので sounds explanatory rather than blunt.

    Vocabulary notes
    ている〜ている
    to be doing; to be in a resulting state
    ません
    polite negative verb ending
    いる
    to exist; to be

  2. Compare in context

    静かなので、このカフェが好きです。

    Because it is quiet, I like this café.

    なので is used after a な-adjective.

    Vocabulary notes
    カフェ
    café
    なので
    because; so
    かな
    I wonder; maybe

Section 2 of 3

Formation and patterns

Use plain forms + ので. After nouns and な-adjectives, use なので. The reason clause usually comes before the main statement.

  1. Target signal

    今日は日曜日なので、銀行は休みです。

    Because today is Sunday, the bank is closed.

    Noun + なので is the standard pattern.

    Vocabulary notes
    なので
    because; so
    日曜日にちようび
    Sunday
    です
    to be (polite); is; am; are

  2. Preview

    この部屋は便利なので、人気があります。

    Because this room is convenient, it is popular.

    Reason first, result second is the usual order.

    Vocabulary notes
    あります
    there is; there are
    なので
    because; so
    この
    this

Section 3 of 3

Reading and nuance

In requests or apologies, ので often sounds more considerate than から. It explains circumstances rather than simply stating personal judgment.

  1. Target signal

    少し遅れるので、先に始めてください。

    Because I will be a little late, please start first.

    This sounds polite and situational.

    Vocabulary notes
    てください〜てください
    please do ...
    ください
    please give; please do
    遅れるおくれる
    to be late

  2. Preview

    風邪なので、今日は会社を休みます。

    Because I have a cold, I will be absent from work today.

    Polite explanations of absence often use ので.

    Vocabulary notes
    なので
    because; so
    ので
    because; since
    ます
    polite verb ending

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how Since / Because: ので changes the meaning before you check the translation.

雨が降っているので、出かけません。 静かなので、このカフェが好きです。 今日は日曜日なので、銀行は休みです。 この部屋は便利なので、人気があります。 少し遅れるので、先に始めてください。 風邪なので、今日は会社を休みます。

Show English translation

Because it is raining, I will not go out. Because it is quiet, I like this café. Because today is Sunday, the bank is closed. Because this room is convenient, it is popular. Because I will be a little late, please start first. Because I have a cold, I will be absent from work today.

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

  1. What is the first reading job for this passage?

    • Identify the situation and how Since / Because: ので changes it.
    • Translate every word before using context.
    • Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
    • Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
    Check the answer

    Identify the situation and how Since / Because: ので changes it.

    The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of Since / Because: ので in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

Which form is correct after a noun?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (Since / Because: ので).

雨が降っ＿＿＿ので、出かけません。

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

  1. 1静かなので、このカフェが好きです。
  2. 2今日は日曜日なので、銀行は休みです。
  3. 3雨が降っているので、出かけません。
Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of Since / Because: ので in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/3

Which form is correct after a noun?