から

から after a sentence gives a reason: "because", "so". The reason comes first, then から, then what follows from it. A verb or い-adjective takes から directly; a noun or な-adjective needs だ in between.

Nouns and な-adjectives take だ

Without だ, a noun with から is the other から, "from".

• × 学生から → 学生だから
• × 静かから → 静かだから

The reason comes first

English "because" can stand on either side of a sentence. から always follows the reason. To give the reason on its own, as an answer to "why?", end with からです.

• × 出かけません、から雨が降っています → 雨が降っているから、出かけません

から or ので

ので also gives a reason, and sounds softer, so it suits apologies and explanations to someone above you. から is more direct, and sits easily before a suggestion or an order. Only から can end a sentence with です.

• × お腹が痛いのでです → お腹が痛いからです

Usage notes

These go beyond the plain-form reason.

Polite form before から

In polite speech the reason can be polite too: さむいです寒いですから, いきます行きますから.

Stopping at から

In conversation a sentence can end on から. The result is left unsaid, or the reason comes after what it explains.