Core Functions
から has 3 main uses:
- Starting point (from - place)
- Time since (from/since - time)
- Reason (because)
1. Starting Point (Place)
Where something starts from:
東京から来ました - "came from Tokyo"
家から駅まで - "from home to station"
ここから - "from here"
2. Time Since
When something starts:
9時から - "from 9 o'clock"
今日から - "from today"
昨日から - "since yesterday"
Often paired with まで (until):
9時から5時まで - "from 9 to 5"
月曜から金曜まで - "from Monday to Friday"
3. Reason (Because)
Giving a reason:
雨が降ったから、家にいた
"Because it rained, I stayed home"
忙しいから、行けません
"Because I'm busy, I can't go"
Pattern: [Reason]から、[Result]
から vs まで
から = starting point (from)
まで = ending point (to/until)
東京から京都まで
"from Tokyo to Kyoto"
から vs ので (Reason)
Both mean "because":
から = subjective, personal reason
ので = objective, factual reason
忙しいから行けない
"Can't go because I'm busy" (personal)
雨が降ったので中止
"Canceled because it rained" (objective)
See: から vs ので
Common Patterns
Place
[Place]から [Verb]
日本から来ました - "came from Japan"
Time
[Time]から[Time]まで
9時から5時まで - "9 to 5"
Reason
[Reason]から、[Result]
疲れたから休む - "rest because tired"
Key Takeaways
✓ Starting point (place/time)
✓ "Because" (reason)
✓ Often with まで (from... to...)
✓ More subjective than ので
Related: