| Clauses are combinations of two or more sentences. They can
describe contradictions, cause and effect, similarity, conditionality,
and simultaneous and consecutive actions.
Using the rentaikei
This is the most common form and most versatile. What you basically
do is make two complete sentences and then connect them through
a conjunction as you would in English.
Using the ～て (-te) form
The ～て
(-te) form is the second most versatile, as it can be used,
sometimes in combination with certain particles, to describe cause
and effect, simultaneous actions, and consecutive actions. The ～て
(-te) form has a lot of snags, please click the link to find out
how the ～て (-te) form is correctly used.
Using the ren'youkei
When using the ren'youkei you can combine two sentences which describe
a simultaneous or consecutive action.
In Japanese the subordinate or coordinate cause always comes first,
followed by the main clause.
Cause and effect / Conditionality
These forms can be used to describe a causal or conditional relation
between the subordinate clause and the main clause.
Because
This relation can be described through the use of the conjunctions
から (kara) and ので (node). ので (node) is the polite version of から (kara).
In the case of から the first (subordinate) clause should be in the
same tense and politeness as the second (main) clause. から can be
used in both informal and formal sentences.
In the case of ので the tense of both clauses should be the same,
but the subordinate clause can be in the informal form. When using
ので the main clause must be in the polite form.
Also the ～て (-te) form can be used to create this construction.
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高かったから買わなかった。
(Takakatta kara kawanakatta.)
I didn't buy it because it was expensive.
(informal)
高かったですから買いませんでした。
(Takakatta desu kara kaimasen deshita.)
I didn't buy it because it was expensive.
(polite)
高かったので買いませんでした。
(Takakatta node kaimasen deshita.)
I didn't buy it because it was expensive.
(polite)
高かったですので買いませんでした。
(Takakatta desu node kaimasen deshita.)
I didn't buy it because it was expensive.
(very polite)
高くて買いませんでした。
(Takakute kaimasen deshita.)
I didn't buy it because it was expensive.
(polite) |
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The second and third example are identical in politeness.
If / When
This relation between the subordinate and main clause is described
through the use of conditional
forms. There are four conditional forms:
- Rentaikei
+ と (to)
- Rentaikei
+ なら(ば) (nara(ba))
- Ren'youkei
+ ては (te wa)
- Izenkei
+ ば (ba)
In these constructions the order of the clauses is inversed when
compared to English where the subordinate clause comes first. Each
conditional form has its specific application. Click the links to
find out more.
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高いと買わない。
(Takai to kawanai.)
I won't buy it if it's expensive.
そうするならできない。
(Sou suru nara dekinai.)
It won't work when you do it like that.
彼が来なくては困る。
(Kare ga konakute wa komaru.)
I don't know what to do if he doesn't show
up.
高かければ買えない。
(Takakereba kaenai.)
If it's expensive I can't buy it. |
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Consecutive actions
These forms are used to describe when actions follow each
other.
And
This form can be described through the use of the ren'youkei or
the ～て (-te) form. You can use the ～て (-te) form both with and without
the particle から (kara).
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ご飯を食べ広島に行く。
(Go-han wo tabe Hiroshima ni iku.)
I'm going to have dinner and go to Hiroshima.
ご飯を食べて広島に行く。
(Go-han wo tabete Hiroshima ni iku.)
I'm going to have dinner and go to Hiroshima.
ご飯を食べてから広島に行きます。
(Go-han wo tabete kara Hiroshima ni ikimasu.)
I'm going to have dinner and go to Hiroshima. |
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A special case is the ren'youkei + たり (tari). This construction
is used to describe alternating actions.
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本を読んだりテレビを見たりします。
(Hon wo yondari terebi wo mitari
shimasu.)
Sometimes I read books and sometimes I watch
TV. |
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As this form has several contractions and some special functions
I recommend you check the ren'youkei
+ たり (tari) page.
Contradictions
These forms are used to describe discrepancies or contradictions
between the coordinate and main clauses.
But
This relation can be described through the use of the conjunctions
が (ga) and け(れ)ど(も) (ke(re)do(mo)). が (ga) is a polite form. け(れ)ど(も)'s
(ke(re)do(mo)) politeness depends on the form in which it is used.
These conjunctions aren't as strong as they are in English. On occasion
they are best translated as "and".
け(れ)ど(も) (ke(re)do(mo)) can be encountered in four variations:
- けど (kedo) (informal)
- けども (kedomo) (polite)
- けれど (keredo) (polite)
- けれども (keredomo) (very polite)
Both が (ga) and けど (kedo) can be used in informal and polite sentences,
but other variations of けれども (keredomo) can only be used in polite
sentences.
Both clauses should be in the same politeness level and tense.
In these constructions the order of the clauses is the same as
in English.
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行きたかったが用があった。
(Ikitakatta ga you ga atta.)
I wanted to go, but something came up.
行きたかったけど用があった。
(Ikitakatta kedo you ga atta.)
I wanted to go, but something came up.
買いましたけれど欲しいのではありませんでした。
(Kaimashita keredo hoshii no de wa arimasen
deshita.)
I bought it, but it wasn't the one I wanted.
おりましたけれども目に掛かれませんでした。
(Orimashita keredomo me ni kakaremasen deshita.)
I was there, but I wasn't able to meet you. |
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Though
This relation between the coordinate and main clauses is described
through the use of the particle のに (noni). This particle can sometimes
also be translated as "but".
This conjunction can be used with both informal and polite constructions.
To describe "even though" the ren'youkei + ても (te mo)
is used.
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高い時計だったのにいつでも遅れている。
(Takai tokei datta noni itsudemo okurete
iru.)
Even though it was an expensive watch it's
always slow.
難しくてもやってみます。
(Muzukashikute mo yatte mimasu.)
I'll give it a shot, even if it is difficult. |
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Simultaneous actions
These forms are used to describe various actions taking place at
the same time.
And
This form can be described using the ～て (-te) form.
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ご飯を食べてテレビを見ています。
(Go-han wo tabete terebi wo mite imasu.)
I'm eating dinner and watching TV. |
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While
You can use the ren'youkei + ながら (nagara) to describe simultaneous
actions performed by the same person.
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ご飯を食べながらテレビを見ています。
(Go-han wo tabenagara terebi wo mite imasu.)
I'm watching TV while I'm eating dinner. |
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You can use the rentaikei + うち (uchi) to describe simultaneous
actions performed by different persons.
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僕がご飯を食べたうち父さんがテレビを見ました。
(Boku ga go-han wo tabeta uchi tou-san ga terebi
wo mimashita.)
While I was eating dinner,
father watched TV. |
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Finally し (shi) can be used to give several reasons. The second
and consecutive clauses connected through し (shi) get the particle
も (mo) to indicate the grammatical objects.
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日本語を上手に話せるし漢字も書ける。
(Nihongo wo jouzu ni hanaseru shi kanji mo
kakeru.)
He can speak Japanese well, and write kanji
as well. |
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Related pages:
Rentaikei
+ と (to)
Rentaikei
+ なら(ば) (nara(ba))
The ren'youkei
Ren'youkei
+ たり (tari)
Ren'youkei
+ て (te)
Ren'youkei
+ ながら (nagara)
Izenkei
+ ば (ba)
Conditional
forms
Polite forms
Tenses
Conjunctions
The particle 間
(aida)
The particle 内
(uchi)
The particle が (ga)
The particle け(れ)ど(も)
(ke(re)do(mo))
The particle し
(shi)
The particle ので
(node)
The particle のに
(noni) |
