から indicates a starting point in time
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Time ] + から
English Meaning
from, since
The particle 'から' is also used to indicate a starting point or beginning in time. In this context, it represents that a certain action or state begins from a specific time.
Japanese
午前9時から日本語の勉強をしています。
English
I have studied Japanese from 9am
Japanese
小さいときから医者になるのが夢でした。
English
I have dreamt of being a doctor since I was a child.
Japanese
何時から始まりますか？
English
What time does it start?
から indicates a starting point in place
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Place ] から + 出る
- [ Place ] から + 降りる
- [ Place ] から + 来る
- [ Place ] から + 帰る
English Meaning
leave, come out, come down
This particle "から (kara)" indicates a starting point in place. It is used to show the origin or departure point related to an action or movement.
Japanese
どこから来たんですか？
English
Where did you come from?
Example sentence description
You may be asked where you are coming from at your current location. For example, if you are traveling in Japan and receive such a question, it would be appropriate to answer with the place where you live.
In this context, "どこ" means "where," "来た" is the past tense of "to come," and "んですか" is a question-forming expression.
Other polite ways to phrase this question include: 「どちらから来ましたか？」 「どちらからお越しですか？」 Here, "どちら" translates directly to "which," but in Japanese, it is commonly used as a more polite way to say "where." Additionally, "お越し" (okoshi) is a respectful expression used for "to go" or "to come," so it would be good to remember this expression as well.
Japanese
アメリカから来ました。
English
I'm from the USA.
Example sentence description
The sentence structure "[Place] から 来ました" means "I came from the place where I live."
Tips: When asked "どこから来たんですか?" by a Japanese person, it might be more conducive to smooth communication to answer with the name of your country rather than your city. The names of countries are often familiar because they are frequently heard in school lessons and news, but city names might not be recognized. Of course, this cannot be generalized, as geographical knowledge varies from person to person.
Japanese
家から出たところです。
English
I just left home.
Japanese
学校から帰る
English
I come home from school.
Informal or Formal
Informal
Formal
Spoken or Written language
Spoken
Written
※ My personal impressions are quantified and may vary from person to person.
から indicates a source such as a cause or material
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Noun ] から + 作る
- [ Noun ] から + できる
English Meaning
made from, made of
The particle "から (kara)" is also used to indicate a source, such as a material. It expresses what material something is made of.
Japanese
紙は木から作られている。
English
Paper is made from wood.
Japanese
ワインはブドウから作られている。
English
Wine is made from grapes.
Japanese
日本酒はお米からできている。
English
Sake is made from rice.
Japanese
これは何からできていますか？
English
What is this made of?
Informal or Formal
Informal
Formal
Spoken or Written language
Spoken
Written
※ My personal impressions are quantified and may vary from person to person.
から indicates a source such as a cause or material
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Noun ] から + なる
- [ Noun ] から + 成り立つ
English Meaning
consist of Noun
Japanese
この本は3つの章から成り立つ。
English
The book consists of three chapters.
Informal or Formal
Informal
Formal
Spoken or Written language
Spoken
Written
※ My personal impressions are quantified and may vary from person to person.
から is used as a conjunction and indicates a cause or reason
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Verb ] + こと + から
- [ i-adjective ] + こと + から
- [ na-adjectiveな ] + こと + から
- である + こと + から
English Meaning
reason in the context, from the fact that
Japanese
あのラーメン屋さんには人がたくさん並んでいることから、人気店だとわかる。
English
The fact that there are so many people lined up at that Ramen restaurant shows that it is a popular restaurant.
Informal or Formal
Informal
Formal
Spoken or Written language
Spoken
Written
※ My personal impressions are quantified and may vary from person to person.
から emphasizes the speaker's personal viewpoint.
Sentence Structure Pattern
- [ Person ] + から
English Meaning
It indicates the person who initiates an action, ventures an opinion, etc.
Japanese
私からは以上です
English
That's all from me.
Japanese
田中さんからこの話を聞きました。
English
Mr Tanaka told me this story.