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JLPT N3 · Reason & cause

なぜなら (nazenara)

なぜなら — the reason is that ～

In short · A conjunction that begins a sentence giving the reason for what was just said. It is used in the pattern “statement. なぜなら、reason＋からだ／からです.” It is somewhat formal and common in speeches and writing.
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Pattern

  • 文。なぜなら、〜からだ／からです state the result first, then give the reason, ending with から

How to build the sentence

First state the conclusion or opinion, then begin a new sentence with なぜなら and give the reason. The reason sentence normally ends in 〜からだ or 〜からです; it sounds unnatural without it.

Difference from だから

だから goes from reason to result, while なぜなら goes from result to reason. The order is reversed, so do not mix them up. In conversation people also say どうしてかというと or というのは.

Examples

  • 私（わたし）は行（い）きません。なぜなら、忙（いそが）しいからです。

    Watashi wa ikimasen. Nazenara, isogashii kara desu.

    I won't go, because I'm busy.

    Result first, then the reason ending in からです.

  • 今日（きょう）は外（そと）に出（で）たくない。なぜなら、とても寒（さむ）いからだ。

    Kyō wa soto ni detakunai. Nazenara, totemo samui kara da.

    I don't want to go out today, because it's very cold.

    Plain style: からだ.

  • この本（ほん）を勧（すす）めます。なぜなら、内容（ないよう）がやさしいからです。

    Kono hon o susumemasu. Nazenara, naiyō ga yasashii kara desu.

    I recommend this book, because its content is easy.

    Used to explain why you give a recommendation.

Common mistakes

  • End the reason sentence with 〜からだ／〜からです. “なぜなら、忙しいです” alone sounds unnatural.
  • Watch the order: the result comes before なぜなら and the reason after it, the opposite of だから.

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