Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 3: 1/22

なぜなら + から

Because, The reason is, That is because

Structure

Phrase (A)。なぜなら(ば) + Reason for (A) Phrase + から +

Details

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    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About なぜなら〜から

When combined with the conjunction particle から, なぜなら (or なぜならば) forms a set pattern that can be translated as 'why (A), that is because (B)'. Essentially, it is a way to highlight that a 'because' is coming at the end of the sentence, drawing attention to it.
なぜなら itself is a conjunction that is a combination of the adverb, なぜ 'why', and the hypothetical form of , なら. Literally, なぜなら~から is similar to 'why is (A) so, (B) is the cause'. This sounds quite dramatic in English, but is a perfectly natural way of emphasizing a statement/fact in Japanese.
To use なぜなら~から, state that fact/important piece of information as (A). Then, at the beginning of a new sentence, なぜなら will be followed by the reason/cause, with から finishing the sentence.
  • 明日(あした)仕事(しごと)()ませんなぜなら明日(あした)友達(ともだち)結婚式(けっこんしき)()からです
    I will not come to work tomorrow. Why? That's because I will be going to my friends' wedding.
  • (たまご)使(つか)ないで(つく)ってください。なぜなら(わたし)(たまご)アレルギーからです
    Please make it without using eggs. Why? Because I'm allergic to them.
The primary function of なぜなら in Japanese (as opposed to simply using から or ので by itself) is to gain the attention of the listener, and inform them that important information is coming.

Synonyms

Examples

  • (かれ)(およ)ぎに()けなかった。なぜなら(さむ)かったから

    He couldn't go swimming because it was cold.

  • すみませんが、正直(しょうじき)()えないんです。なぜなら秘密(ひみつ)から

    I'm sorry but I can't tell you truthfully. The reason is that it is a secret.

  • (かれ)らは()どうわからないなぜならまだ連絡(れんらく)がきていないからです。

    I don't know if they are coming or not because they haven't contacted me yet.

  • もうすぐ()えます。なぜなら今度(こんど)(ぼく)日本(にほん)()から

    We can see each other soon. Why? Because I'll go to Japan next time.

  • 今日(きょう)仕事(しごと)(やす)ました。なぜならインフルエンザにかかってしまったからです。

    I took the day off today. Why? Because I caught the flu.

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なぜなら〜から – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

  • Ambo100

    Ambo100

    About 3 years ago

    Can be found in A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar, Page: 371

    Is there any difference in formality or meaning between なぜなら and なぜならば?

  • owlhoods

    owlhoods

    About 2 years ago

    is there any reason i couldn’t use だって for the sentence 彼は泳ぎに行けなかった。___, 寒かったから? just wondering because it didn’t give me a warning

  • Asher

    Asher

    About 1 year ago

    Hi @owlhoods, sorry for the super late reply.
    The clue- ‘だって usually appears in more casual sentences that end with もん or もの. Let’s try something else.’ has now been added to all example sentences

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