Translation guide
A subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence; it depends on a main clause. In Japanese, subordinate clauses are typically marked by conjunctions, particles, or specific verb forms, and they always precede the main clause.
Expressing a clause that provides background, reason, condition, or other dependent information.
Uses the noun とき (time) after a clause in plain form to mean 'when...'. The subordinate clause ends with とき, and the main clause follows.
日本に行ったとき、寿司を食べました。
When I went to Japan, I ate sushi.
The conditional たら form attaches to the plain past tense of verbs/adjectives to mean 'if/when...'. It creates a subordinate clause expressing a condition or temporal sequence.
雨が降ったら、試合は中止です。
If it rains, the game will be cancelled.
ので follows a plain form clause to give a reason or cause. It is slightly more formal than から and often used in explanations.
疲れたので、早く寝ます。
Because I'm tired, I'll go to bed early.
The て form can link clauses, often indicating a reason, sequential action, or manner. The subordinate clause is non-final.
朝ごはんを食べて、学校に行きました。
I ate breakfast and went to school.
The conjunction が (but/although) attaches to the end of a plain clause to create a subordinate clause expressing contrast or background.
高いですが、買います。
Although it's expensive, I'll buy it.
Modifying a noun with a clause, equivalent to English 'who/which/that'.
In Japanese, relative clauses directly precede the noun they modify without a relative pronoun. The verb or adjective is in plain form.
昨日買った本は面白いです。
The book I bought yesterday is interesting.
Embedding a statement or thought as a subordinate clause.
The particle と marks a quoted clause, followed by verbs like 言う (say), 思う (think), etc. The clause before と is in plain form.
彼は来ると言いました。
He said he will come.
Embeds a yes/no question as a subordinate clause meaning 'whether or not...'. The clause ends with かどうか.
彼が来るかどうか知りません。
I don't know whether he will come.
In Japanese, subordinate clauses always come before the main clause. English often places them after, but direct translation will sound unnatural.
雨が降っているので、傘を持って行きます。
Because it's raining, I'll take an umbrella.
Subordinate clauses in Japanese typically use plain forms (dictionary form, ない form, た form, etc.), not polite forms. Politeness is marked on the main clause verb.