γγFrom / since / because
γγ marks a starting point. At N5 level, youβll use it mainly for: 1) Place: γ€γ³γγγ·γ’γγ γγΎγγ (came from Indonesia) 2) Time: γγγγ γ―γγγγΎγ (work from 9) It can also mean βbecauseβ (reason): γγγγγγ§γγγβ¦ (because Iβm busyβ¦), but keep this simple at first.
Key points
Quick reminders for how to use it.
- Use γγ for starting point in time or place.
- Often pairs with γΎγ§ (fromβ¦toβ¦).
- Reason use: γγγ = because ~ (optional at N5, but very common).
Patterns
Common structures youβll see.
γγγ γγΎγ§
~ kara ~ made
from ~ to ~
γγγ γγΎγγγ
~ kara kimashita.
Came from ~.
γγγγ γγγΎγγ
~ ji kara ~ shimasu.
Do ~ from ~ oβclock.
γγγγγγ
~ kara, ~.
Because ~, ~.
Note: Reason. Keep sentences simple.
Common mistakes
Watch out for these.
- ΓUsing γγ when you mean destination (use γ«/γΈ for destination).
- ΓForgetting γΎγ§ when you want to express a full range (fromβ¦toβ¦).
- ΓMixing up reason γγ with time/place γγ. They are different meanings.
Examples
Real sentences with notes.
γ€γ³γγγ·γ’γγ γγΎγγγ
indoneshia kara kimashita.
I came from Indonesia.
π Starting point (place) β γγ.
γγγγ γ―γγγγΎγγ
ku-ji kara hatarakimasu.
I work from 9 oβclock.
π Starting time β γγ.
γγγγ γγγγγγΎγ§ γ―γγγγΎγγ
ku-ji kara gogo san-ji made hatarakimasu.
I work from 9 to 3 pm.
π Range: start γγ, end γΎγ§.
γγγγ γγγΎγ§ γγγγΎγγ
koko kara eki made arukimasu.
I walk from here to the station.
π Place range: from here (γγ) to station (γΎγ§).
γγγγγ γ«γ»γγγ γΉγγγγγγΎγγ
kyou kara nihongo o benkyou shimasu.
I will study Japanese starting today.
π Starting point in time (today) β γγ.
γγγ§γγγγγγ‘γ« γγΎγγ
ame desu kara, uchi ni imasu.
Because itβs raining, I stay home.
π Reason γγ: explains why you stay home.
γγγγγγ§γγγγγγγγ― γγγΎγγγ
isogashii desu kara, kyou wa ikimasen.
Because Iβm busy, I wonβt go today.
π Reason γγ. γ― sets topic βtodayβ.
γγ£γγγγ γγ‘γΈ γγγγΎγγ
gakkou kara uchi e kaerimasu.
I go home from school.
π Starting point (school) β γγ. Direction/destination β γΈ.
Compare with
Related particles to review next.