Translation guide
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses. In Japanese, conjunctions are often expressed through particles, verb forms, and sentence-ending patterns rather than standalone words. This guide covers the most common ways to express 'and', 'but', 'or', 'because', and other conjunctive meanings.
The learner wants to connect two or more nouns with 'and'.
The particle と is the most common way to connect nouns in an exhaustive list (A and B). It implies the list is complete.
犬と猫がいます。
There is a dog and a cat.
The particle や is used for a non-exhaustive list, implying 'A and B, among others'. など can be added for emphasis.
I like dogs and cats (and other animals).
In some set phrases or when adding items, に can be used like 'and', but it is less common and often idiomatic.
パンにコーヒー
Bread and coffee
The learner wants to connect adjectives or verbs with 'and'.
The て-form of verbs and adjectives is the primary way to connect them in a sequence. For い-adjectives, change い to くて; for な-adjectives, add で.
大きくて重い箱
A big and heavy box
静かで広い部屋
A quiet and spacious room
朝起きて、顔を洗って、朝ごはんを食べます。
I wake up, wash my face, and eat breakfast.
Used to express doing two actions simultaneously, like 'while doing A, also do B'. Not a direct 'and' but often translates as such.
音楽を聞きながら勉強します。
I study while listening to music.
The particle し is used to list reasons or characteristics, often implying 'and what's more' or 'and also'. It can connect clauses.
この店は安いし、おいしい。
This restaurant is cheap and delicious.
The learner wants to express contrast or 'but'.
A common conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however', used at the beginning of a sentence or after a clause.
日本語は難しい。でも、面白い。
Japanese is difficult. But it's interesting.
A more formal 'but' or 'however', often used in writing or formal speech.
These are conjunctive particles meaning 'but' or 'although', attached to the end of a clause. けど is casual, けれども is formal, が is neutral/formal.
高いけど、買います。
It's expensive, but I'll buy it.
行きたいですが、時間がありません。
I want to go, but I don't have time.
The learner wants to express alternatives or 'or'.
The particle か is used to list alternatives, meaning 'A or B'. It can be used between nouns or clauses.
コーヒーか紅茶はいかがですか。
Would you like coffee or tea?
A more formal 'or', often used in written or official contexts.
電話またはメールで連絡してください。
Please contact us by phone or email.
Used when presenting two alternatives in a question, similar to 'or' in 'Is it A or B?'.
電車で行きますか、それともバスで行きますか。
Will you go by train or by bus?
The learner wants to express reason or cause with 'because'.
The particle から is attached to the end of a clause to indicate reason. It is subjective and often used in casual speech.
暑いから、窓を開けてください。
Because it's hot, please open the window.
Similar to から but more objective and polite. Often used in formal situations or to give a softer reason.
雨が降っているので、試合は中止です。
Because it's raining, the game is canceled.
A formal 'because' used at the beginning of a sentence, often followed by から or のだ. Common in writing.
The learner wants to express a conditional 'if'.
The たら conditional is used for hypothetical or specific conditions. It is formed by adding ら to the past tense plain form.
雨が降ったら、出かけません。
If it rains, I won't go out.
The ば conditional is used for general or logical conditions. It is formed by changing the verb stem's last vowel to え and adding ば.
春になれば、花が咲きます。
If spring comes, flowers bloom.
The と conditional is used for natural consequences or habitual results. It often translates as 'when' or 'if'.
このボタンを押すと、電気がつきます。
If you press this button, the light turns on.
もし is an adverb that emphasizes the conditional, often used with 〜たら, 〜ば, or 〜と. It is not a conjunction by itself but adds 'if' nuance.
The learner wants to express 'when' as a temporal conjunction.
The noun とき (時) means 'time' and is used with a modifying clause to mean 'when'. The verb before とき is in plain form.
日本に行ったとき、富士山を見ました。
When I went to Japan, I saw Mt. Fuji.
The たら conditional can also mean 'when' for a one-time event in the past or future.
家に帰ったら、電話します。
When I get home, I'll call you.
The と conditional can mean 'when' for habitual or natural consequences.
春になると、桜が咲きます。
When spring comes, cherry blossoms bloom.
The learner wants to express 'although' or 'even though'.
Attached to the plain form of verbs/adjectives, のに expresses 'although' with a sense of surprise or disappointment.
一生懸命勉強したのに、試験に落ちた。
Although I studied hard, I failed the exam.
The ても/でも form means 'even if' or 'even though'. For verbs, use て-form + も; for い-adjectives, くて + も; for な-adjectives/nouns, で + も.
雨が降っても、行きます。
Even if it rains, I'll go.
While primarily 'but', けれども can also mean 'although' when used at the beginning of a sentence or in formal contexts.
English often uses 'and' to connect clauses, but Japanese prefers the て-form or other conjunctive particles. Using そして (soshite) repeatedly can sound unnatural.
朝起きて、顔を洗いました。
I woke up and washed my face.
Both mean 'because', but から is more subjective and often used in casual speech, while ので is more objective and polite. Use ので in formal situations or when giving excuses.
用事があるので、失礼します。
Because I have something to do, I'll take my leave.
He is kind. However, he is sometimes strict.
なぜなら、それは危険だからです。
Because that is dangerous.
If we have time, let's go see a movie.
彼は若い。けれども、とてもしっかりしている。
He is young. Although, he is very reliable.