What does it mean word for word?
The word だから is a combination of the copula だ and the particle から, which means "from" or "because". Together, they translate to "because of that" or "so".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
だから is an informal expression commonly used in everyday speech. For more formal situations, you can use ですから. If you are writing formal texts, academic papers or logical proofs, the expression したがって is the appropriate term to convey the sense of "therefore" or "consequently".
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken Japanese, だから often functions as a conjunction at the beginning of a sentence to link the previous statement to the current one.
How do you pronounce it?
da kara
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be aware that using だから in a short, blunt question like だから何？ can sound dismissive or confrontational in conversation.
Did you know?
- Using だから as a standalone response can be interpreted as 'I already told you', expressing frustration that the listener is not understanding.
- The phrase だからこそ can be used to turn a perceived negative into a positive, implying that a specific hardship is the very reason for a later success.
- The particle から used in だから is the same one used to indicate a starting point in time or space, such as 'from Tokyo' or 'from 10 o'clock'.
Examples in context
- だから何？Therefore?This sentence shows how the phrase can be used in a blunt, questioning way.Tatoeba #4765 by bunbuku, translation #5366774 by GamalNemeri
- だからしませんでした。Therefore, I did not do it.This sentence demonstrates using the phrase to explain a reason for an action.
- だからお互いに助け合う必要があったので、そういう意味では妹との絆は強かった。Therefore we had to help each other and in that way the bonds between me and my sister were strong.This sentence illustrates how the phrase connects two statements to show a logical consequence.Tatoeba #74187 by fcbond, translation #329533 by fcbond
- 日本の経済は成長しています。ですから、新しいビジネスチャンスが生まれています。The Japanese economy is growing. Therefore, new business opportunities are arising.
- 多くの人々が環境に無関心です。したがって、私たちは環境教育に力を入れるべきです。Many people are indifferent to the environment. Therefore, we should focus on environmental education.
- 映画が始まるまで時間があります。だから、少し散歩しましょう。We have some time until the movie starts. Therefore, let's take a short walk.
- 失敗は成功のもと。だからこそ、諦めずに頑張りましょう。Failure is the mother of success. Therefore, let's keep going without giving up.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are discussing why they should leave for the station now.
- 陽太 Yotaもうすぐ電車が出ます。Mō sugu densha ga demasu.The train is leaving soon.
- 美咲 Misakiだから、今すぐ行きましょう。Dakara, ima sugu ikimashō.Therefore, let's go right now.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね。急ごう。Sō da ne. Isogō.You're right. Let's hurry.
- 美咲 Misaki忘れ物はない？Wasuremono wa nai?Did you forget anything?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry だから, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
