接続詞 – #2 Conversational Japanese with Key Conjunctions

This is part of a series on key conjunctions for conversational Japanese. In Part 1 we talked about conjunctions for comparing phrases, connecting sentences by cause and effect, and more.

https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/

Knowing a few key conjunctions will help your Japanese. It will allow you to connect your thoughts together.  Once you move beyond plan statements, conjunctions allow you to put those statements together and actually have meaningful conversations. Take a look below for some more common conjunctions in Japanese.

Selecting from choices: or, else, in addition

それとも：or, else

もう帰かえりたい？それとも、何なにかを食たべに行きたい？
Do you want to go home already? or, do you want to go eat something?
ほかにも：in addition to

東京とうきょうと大阪おおさかに行いったことがある。ほかにも、京都きょうとと北海道ほっかいどうにも行いったことがある
I have been to Tokyo and Osaka. In addition, I have also been to Kyoto and Hokkaido.

Ordering phrases: Number one, first, next, after that

最初に：for the first time, first of all
次に：next

朝あさ起おきたら、最初さいしょに歯磨はみきをする。その次つぎにお風呂ふろに入はいる。
When I wake up in the morning, first of all I brush my teeth. Next I take a shower.
まず：at first, in the first place
そのあと：after that

今日きょういろいろすることがある。まず、朝あさごはんを食たべよう。そのあと出でかけよう。
We have lots to do today. First, let’s have breakfast. After that let’s go out.

Describing the situation: Afterall, because, meaning

だって：because

納豆なっとうを食たべたい。だって、美味おいしいから
I want to eat natto. Because it is delicious
なぜなら：because

納豆を食べたい。なぜなら、美味しいから
I want to eat natto. Because it is delicious
というのは：which means, meaning

今朝けさ鍵かぎをかけ忘わすれた。というのは、一日いちにちずっと鍵かぎが開あけっぱなしだった。
I forgot to lock the door this morning. Which means the door was unlocked all-day

Providing Exceptions and Supplementary Information

そのかわり：instead

今日きょうはバーガーの気分きぶんじゃない。その代かわり、ピザを食たべよう
I don’t feel like burgers today. Instead, let’s have pizza.

実は：actually

今いまお腹なかがすいていない。実じつは、さっき食たべてきた
I am not hungry now. I actually just ate.

そもそも：in the first place

パイナップルはもういい。そもそも、そんなに好すきじゃないし
I don’t want anymore pineapple. In the first place, I don’t really like it so much anyway.

Abbreviating –  incidentally, instead, actually, in the first place

つまり：in short

この色いろは赤あかと黄色きいろの間あいだの色いろ。つまり、オレンジだ。
this color is between red and yellow. In short, orange.
言い換えると：in other words

この箱はこは重おもくて一人ひとりで運はこべない。言いい換かえると、手伝てつってほしい
This box is heavy and I can’t carry it by myself. In other words, I want you to help me.
If you would like to learn to speak Japanese, I have more information on Speaking and Listening to Japanese. Good luck!

If you are interested in learning Japanese I have reviewed what I consider the best resource for Japanese Grammar below:

Resources

• 接続詞 (Conjunctions) – Wikipedia