接続詞 – #1 Conversational Japanese with Key Conjunctions
Connecting your thoughts together is a very important part of improving your speaking in Japanese. You need to be able to seamlessly move from one sentence to the next. You also need to do so while maintaining some logic between sentences.
Conjunctions are the words and phrases that exist just for that purpose. They connect two separate thoughts into one logical unit. If you learn just a few key conjunctions your conversational Japanese will improve greatly.
https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/
Conjunctions allow you to look beyond just words. They let you think in full phrases. Conjunctions free you from the prison of random statements.
This is the first post of a series to teach you common conjunctions used in spoken Japanese.
INDEX
Cause and Results: So, Therefore
だから：therefore, that is why
意味が分からない。だから聞いているよ
I don’t understand what you mean. That is why I am asking you.
そのため：for that reason, for that
雨の音を聞こう。そのためにラジオの音を下げよう
Let’s listen to the sound of the rain. For that let’s turn down the radio.
すると：then, and then, whereupon
やっぱりやってみないと分からないと思った。すると、実際にやってみたら、楽しかった
I thought you will not know unless you try it. Then, when I actually tried it it was fun.
Contrast or exception: But, only, whereas
だけど：however, but
ケーキが欲しい。だけど、少しだけでいい
I want some cake. But, just a little is fine.
ただ：but, only
時間がある。ただ、やりたいことはあまりない
I have time. Only, there is not much I would like to do
でも：but, still
若いころはよくここに来ていた。でも、最近全然来ていない
I came here often when I was young. But, lately I don’t come at all
Parallel Statements: Then, once more
また：also, once again
面白い映画を見たい。また、おいしいものを食べたい
I want to see an interesting movie. Also, I want to eat something tasty.
それから：and then
高い山を登った。それから、写真を一杯撮った
I climbed a tall mountain. And then I took a lot of pictures.
Adding more Information: still, furthermore
さらに：furthermore
昨日はここに人が多かったけど、今日はさらに増えた。
there were many people here yesterday. Furthermore today there are even more
そして：and, then
晩御飯を食べる。そして、寝る
I am going to eat dinner. Then I am going to sleep
Comparing Differences and Similarities: conversely, in contrast
逆に：conversely, on the contrary
全然寒くない。逆に、暑いぐらい
It is not cold at all. On the contrary, it is actually hot
それに対して：in contrast
太郎は甘いものが大好き。それに対して次郎は甘いものが大嫌い。
Taro loves sweets. In contrast, Jiro hates sweets.
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