Japatan
Formation
- V普通形 + ので
- いA普通形 + ので
- なA + な + ので
- なA + だった + ので
- N + な + ので
- N + だった + ので
Explanation
A node B means A is the reason or cause of B. It is close to kara, but node sounds softer and more objective, as if simply explaining the facts. So it is common in polite requests and when giving excuses, for example for being late. For strong opinions or commands, kara sounds more natural.
Examples
頭が 痛いので、今日は 早く 帰っても いいですか。
I have a headache, so may I go home early today?
電車が 遅れたので、授業に 間に合いませんでした。
The train was late, so I didn't make it to class on time.
この 辺は 静かなので、よく 眠れます。
It's quiet around here, so I can sleep well.
明日は 息子の 誕生日なので、ケーキを 買って 帰ります。
Tomorrow is my son's birthday, so I'll buy a cake on the way home.
Notes
na-adjectives and nouns take na: shizuka na node, not shizuka da node. In very polite speech, node can also follow masu, as in okuremasu node.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1この 公園は（ ）ので、子どもと よく 来ます。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 安全な
'This park is safe, so I often come here with my children.' A na-adjective takes na before node: anzen na node.
2A「すみません。熱が ある（ ）、今日は 休んでも いいですか。」
B「ええ、お大事に。」
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 ので
'Excuse me, I have a fever, so may I take today off?' Having a fever is the reason, so node is correct. Noni gives the opposite meaning, and aru nagara and aru te mo are not correct forms.
3昨日は（ ）ので、一日中 家に いました。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 雨だった
'It rained yesterday, so I stayed home all day.' Kinou is the past, so the past form ame datta node is needed. Ame na node is present tense, and da or no cannot come before node.
