What are Conjunctions?
Conjunctions play a very important role in communication in Japanese.
In this article, we will briefly explain the definition, how to identify, list, usage, and the difference between conjunctions and conjunctive words in Japanese.
Conjunctions are words that connect clauses or sentences, making the flow of the sentence smoother and easier to understand.
1. Types of Conjunctions
Japanese conjunctions can be classified into the following six categories:
Sequential
A natural result follows.
それで、だから、そこで、すると
Contradictory
An unexpected result or development follows.
しかし、だが、けれども、ところが
Parallel/Additive
Additional information follows.
また、そして、なお
Comparative/Selective
Content that prompts a choice follows.
それとも、または、もしくは
Explanatory/Supplementary
Explanation or supplement follows.
つまり、なぜなら、すなわち
Transitional
Content that changes the topic follows.
ところで、さて、では、ときに
2. How to Use Conjunctions
Below are examples of how to use conjunctions:
- I walked quickly. Therefore, I was not late for the meeting. (Interpretation: As a result of hurrying, I was not late.)
- I walked quickly. However, I was late for the meeting. (Interpretation: Despite hurrying, I was late.)
3. Difference Between Conjunctions and Conjunctive Words
The difference between conjunctions and conjunctive words lies in the role or range indicated by the name. Conjunctions include not only conjunctive words but also words accompanied by conjunctive particles.
For example, 'そして (soshite)', 'しかし (shikashi)', and 'また (mata)' are conjunctive words, while '走ったが (hashittaga)', '美しいので (utsukushiinode)', and '降れば (fureba)' are words accompanied by conjunctive particles.
Conclusion
In this article, we explained the basic knowledge about conjunctions. Conjunctions connect clauses or sentences, make Japanese sentences smoother, avoid misunderstandings, and clarify intentions. Also, while conjunctions and conjunctive words are different, both serve to connect sentences.
Understanding the proper use of conjunctions helps to avoid misunderstandings and convey what you want to say more smoothly. It also enables you to correct incorrect sentences, so let's learn little by little.