Definition: Conjunctions are words of relation, joining sentences together. Like Prepositions, Conjunctions are unmeaning when they stand alone. They connect different phrases, clauses, sentences or affirmations, so as to show the mutual bearing of the sentences conjoined.
There are some conjunctions that can not be used to connect two equal clauses in Japanese language; however, there is a large list of conjunction in Japanese. Most conjunctions are simply particles or postpositions. Generally, conjunctions come at the end of the dependent cluse or clauses in order to control it.
The Japanese grammar distinguishes coordinative and subordinative conjuctions so one must arrange the Japanese conjuctions as follows:
Copulative Conjunctions | |||
English | Kanji | Katakana/Hiragana | Romaji |
also | も | mo | |
or | 又 | また | mata |
and | 勝つ | かつ | katsu |
and then | 及び | および | oyobi |
then | カネテ | kanete |
Disyunctive Conjunctions | |||
English | Kanji | Katakana/Hiragana | Romaji |
.....or, ....or | ....か,...か | ....Ka,...Ka | |
....and, ...and | ....矢,...矢 | ....や,...や | ....Ya,....Ya |
Adversative Conjunctions | |||
English | Kanji | Katakana/Hiragana | Romaji |
but | もっとも | Mottomo | |
despite | さん 乍 | San nagara | |
however | しかし | Shikashi | |
but | ながら | Nagara |
Conclusive Conjunctions | |||
English | Kanji | Katakana/Hiragana | Romaji |
thus | このように | Kono yō ni | |
then | それから | Sorekara | |
so | それで | Sorede | |
and then | そして | Soshite | |
therefore | それでわ | Sorede wa |
Examples:
Mary likes to write songs and to play the violin.
メアリーは、曲をかつ書いてバイオリンを弾くのが好き.
Mearī wa,-kyoku o katsu kaite baiorin o hiku no ga suki.
She will take the Math class or the Chinese language class.
彼女は数学のクラス 又中国語のクラスを取るでしょう
Kanojo wa sūgaku no kurasu mata Chūgoku-go no kurasu o torudeshou.
She likes to sing so she would be a rock star.
彼女はロックスターになるそれでに歌うのが好き.
Kanojo wa rokkusutā ni naru sorede ni utau no ga suki.
Your mother cooks then she watches television.
あなたのお母さんの料理は、それから、彼女はテレビを見ています.
Anata no okāsan no ryōri wa, sore kara, kanojo wa terebi o mite imasu.
She didn't bring a gift but she came to party.
彼女は贈り物を持ってこなかったながら、彼女はパーティーに来た.
Kanojo wa okurimono o motte konakattanagara, kanojo wa pātī ni kita.